Ellen Haney: Combatting Obsolescence In Your Parts Department

Ellen Haney is a Dealership Parts Manager at Jeff Schmitt Nissan, a company offering a wide selection of vehicles and making the car buying process as quick and hassle free as possible. In this Summer Camp Series episode of the Parts Girl Podcast, Kaylee Felio sits down with Ellen Haney, a parts manager with a passion for efficient inventory management. Ellen shares her experiences and expertise, shedding light on the crucial role of the parts department in a dealership and offering valuable advice for smooth operations and customer satisfaction. Ellen Haney emphasizes the importance of inventory management and highlights the key roles within her team, including the counter-person and parts manager. They work together to handle parts ordering, ensure timely delivery, and prevent parts from becoming obsolete. Communication and fostering a sense of importance within the dealership are also integral to Ellen's approach. Employees need to be aware of their significance in the parts department and the valuable support they provide. Special order parts require a dedicated process, including prepayment, to minimize obsolescence. Once the parts are received, customers are promptly notified. However, it's essential to establish a system for handling unused prepaid parts. Ellen Haney and her colleague prioritize efficiency, emphasizing the importance of open conversations and understanding each other's perspectives. They exchange knowledge and expertise, recognizing the value of collaboration and continuous learning. Ellen Haney also highlights the need for excellent customer service towards technicians, who sometimes assume parts people automatically know what to order. To overcome this, her company goes the extra mile by providing pictures and diagrams to facilitate better communication. Throughout the episode, Ellen Haney shares valuable insights into managing inventory effectively, utilizing manufacturer programs to their full advantage, and leveraging data from dealer management systems such as CDK. She stresses the importance of sharing knowledge, maintaining a process-oriented approach, and understanding how every action affects the dealership as a whole. Takeaways Communicate the importance of the parts department within the dealership. Collaboration and knowledge sharing are vital for success in inventory management. Excellent customer service towards technicians improves communication. Quote “My biggest thing is sharing knowledge. If you know something that someone else does not, do not put your ego in the way." -Ellen Haney Connect Ellen Haney LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ellen-haney Website: www.jeffschmittnissan.com Kaylee Felio LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/gotopartsgirl Website: www.partsedge.com