What does a parts counter clerk do?
A parts counter clerk is a customer service position responsible for advising customers about parts and selling parts to customers. The person holding this position is responsible for receiving and verifying new stock when delivered, managing inventory and sales records, billing and receiving payment, and making orders to replenish parts stock. Parts counter clerks are also responsible for the day to day management of a parts store, including doing returns, basic bookkeeping, and cleaning.
Parts counter clerk responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real parts counter clerk resumes:
- Manage DIY services including battery installation, testing, wiper installs, etc.
- Develop relationships with personnel from other Chrysler dealerships to participate in a mutually beneficial parts purchase and delivery co op.
- Deliver items to customers, whether they are a dealership, bodyshop or regular customer.
Parts counter clerk skills and personality traits
We calculated that 30% of Parts Counter Clerks are proficient in Customer Service, Parts Counter, and Phone Calls. They’re also known for soft skills such as Customer-service skills, Math skills, and Selling skills.
We break down the percentage of Parts Counter Clerks that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Customer Service, 30%
Provide customer service/support on merchandise for retail and wholesale.
- Parts Counter, 14%
Stocked ordered all necessary items for both the parts counter and service department.
- Phone Calls, 12%
Answered phone calls and looked up parts in catalogs and ordered special order parts for customers.
- POS, 5%
Assisted in cashiering and Point of Sale (POS) system procedures during busy hours.
- Inventory Control, 4%
Ensured accuracy of inventory using inventory control systems.
- Customer Orders, 4%
Received telephone orders for auto parts, filled customer orders from stock and maintained inventory.
Common skills that a parts counter clerk uses to do their job include "customer service," "parts counter," and "phone calls." You can find details on the most important parts counter clerk responsibilities below.
Customer-service skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a parts counter clerk to have is customer-service skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "retail sales workers must be responsive to the wants and needs of customers." Parts counter clerks often use customer-service skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "provided parts information and ordering for the body shop,walk in customers and automotive technicians. "
Math skills. Another essential skill to perform parts counter clerk duties is math skills. Parts counter clerks responsibilities require that "retail sales workers must have the ability to calculate price totals, discounts, and change owed to customers." Parts counter clerks also use math skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "cashier, customer service, and math skills, handling money, etc. "
Selling skills. This is an important skill for parts counter clerks to perform their duties. For an example of how parts counter clerk responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "retail sales workers must be persuasive when interacting with customers." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a parts counter clerk: "worked extensively with dealership body shop and 50-60 independent shops with large delivery route. ".
The three companies that hire the most parts counter clerks are:
- Penske Automotive Group10 parts counter clerks jobs
- JX Truck Center9 parts counter clerks jobs
- Genuine Parts7 parts counter clerks jobs
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Compare different parts counter clerks
Parts counter clerk vs. Parts specialist
Parts specialists are responsible for the sale and maintenance of inventory at a dealership, an automotive care center, or other businesses providing automotive parts and supplies. Their duties and responsibilities include maintaining detailed inventory records, purchasing automotive parts, and ensuring that parts are delivered promptly. They are responsible for answering customer questions about various machine parts and equipment. Qualifications for this position vary, which include relevant work experience, experience in a supervisory or managerial job, and professional training through a vocational school.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between parts counter clerks and parts specialist. For instance, parts counter clerk responsibilities require skills such as "phone calls," "pos," "basic math," and "insurance estimates." Whereas a parts specialist is skilled in "taking care," "strong customer service," "product knowledge," and "cash handling." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Parts specialists really shine in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $34,358. Comparatively, parts counter clerks tend to make the most money in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $35,982.The education levels that parts specialists earn slightly differ from parts counter clerks. In particular, parts specialists are 0.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a parts counter clerk. Additionally, they're 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Parts counter clerk vs. Parts technician
Clerks are responsible for many of the general administrative tasks in the office. They are in charge of manning office telephone lines, managing incoming and outgoing mails, filing paperwork and other needed records, scheduling and documenting meetings, typing out documents when needed, disseminating memos and other official announcements, and keeping an inventory of office equipment and supplies. Clerks should have good office skills, communication skills, business writing skills, and time management skills. They should also be able to treat any document or paperwork they handle with confidentiality.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that parts counter clerk responsibilities requires skills like "phone calls," "pos," "body shop," and "gross profit." But a parts technician might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "routine maintenance," "parts room," "physical counts," and "unload trucks."
Parts technicians earn similar levels of education than parts counter clerks in general. They're 0.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Parts counter clerk vs. Clerk
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from parts counter clerk resumes include skills like "parts counter," "phone calls," "repair orders," and "body shop," whereas a clerk is more likely to list skills in "math," "cleanliness," "office equipment," and "clerical support. "
Clerks earn the best pay in the health care industry, where they command an average salary of $31,380. Parts counter clerks earn the highest pay from the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $35,982.clerks typically earn similar educational levels compared to parts counter clerks. Specifically, they're 0.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.5% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Parts counter clerk vs. Parts sales person
Types of parts counter clerk
Updated January 8, 2025
