How to hire a parts sales associate

How to hire a parts sales associate, step by step

Here's a step-by-step parts sales associate hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a parts sales associate job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new parts sales associate
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The parts sales associate hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A parts sales associate's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, parts sales associates from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list shows salaries for various types of parts sales associates.

   Type of Parts Sales Associate	Description	Hourly rate
   Parts Sales Associate	Retail sales workers include both those who sell retail merchandise, such as clothing, furniture, and automobiles, (called retail salespersons) and those who sell spare and replacement parts and equipment, especially car parts (called parts salespersons). Both types of workers help customers find the products they want and process customers’ payments.	$12-20
   Parts Driver	Parts delivery drivers work for a machine parts distributor or an auto parts outlet. Usually, delivery drivers deliver to repair shops and local dealerships for inventory replenishment... Show more	$12-20
   Parts Runner	Parts runners are essential to the function of the parts department. They are responsible for either delivering the part of the automotive to customers or picking up the parts for a shop job... Show more	$12-18

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Customer Service
   • Phone Calls
   • Parts Sales
   • Cleanliness
   • Parts Counter
   • Cycle Counts
   • Parts Inventory
   • Sales Floor
   • ATV
   • Customer Inquiries
   • Inventory Control
   • Customer Orders
   • Automotive Products
   • Customer Complaints

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage DIY services including battery installation, testing, wiper installs, etc.
   • Locate and order requested parts by using ADP software.
   • Look up and sell parts to the public through ADP systems.
   • Specify and sell parts for industrial generators and diesel engines for such brands as Kohler, Honda, Kubota and Mitsubishi.
   • Develop relationships with personnel from other Chrysler dealerships to participate in a mutually beneficial parts purchase and delivery co op.
   • Order OEM parts for wholesale customers via email, phone, and fax.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your parts sales associate job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A parts sales associate salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, parts sales associates' average salary in oklahoma is 42% less than in washington.
   • Seniority. Entry-level parts sales associates earn 40% less than senior-level parts sales associates.
   • Certifications. A parts sales associate with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a parts sales associate's salary.

   Average parts sales associate salary

   $15.80hourly

   $32,871 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level parts sales associate salary

   $25,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 15, 2025

4. Writing a parts sales associate job description

   A good parts sales associate job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a parts sales associate job description:

   Parts sales associate job description example

   Rush Truck Centers is the largest network of heavy- and medium-duty truck dealerships in North America, selling and servicing Peterbilt', International', Mitsubishi Fuso', Ford', Hino' and Isuzu' trucks at over 120 state-of-the-art facilities in 22 states. We provide a full range of aftermarket solutions, backed by a $250+ million parts inventory, over 2,400 service bays and 26 collision centers. Full-service truck leasing and rentals are available, as well as financial and insurance services.
   
   The Parts Sales Associate sells commercial vehicle and equipment parts to external customers via the counter or over the phone.
   
   Rush Truck Centers opens the door to the world of opportunity. We are the largest network of commercial vehicle dealerships across the US representing truck and bus manufacturers. Our franchises include Peterbilt, International, Hino, Isuzu, Ford, IC Bus and Blue Bird. We offer a rewarding career as a leader in the transportation industry. Grow with us as we continue to expand our network of locations and services.
   Responsibilities:
   
   + Set up orders for daily shipment, delivery, or pick-up.
   
   + Keep orderly records of all repair orders, invoices, insurance estimates, and special order parts.
   
   + Issue credit for parts returned, ensuring that the original invoice, or its number, is available so that purchase and pricing can be verified.
   
   + Participate in all training programs that are made available.
   
   + Keep current on new products and product updates.
   
   + Participate in maintaining a lost sales tracking program.
   
   Benefits:
   
   + We offer exceptional compensation and benefits, 401K and stock purchase, incentives for performance, training, and opportunity for advancement - all in a culture that appreciates and rewards excellence, a positive attitude and integrity.
   
   Basic Qualifications:
   
   + High school diploma or general education degree (GED).
   
   + Six months' experience in over the counter sales, preferably in a dealership or service setting environment.
   
   + Familiarity with accounting and inventory tracking software.
   
   Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Women/Protected Veterans/Disabled
   
   This job posting does not state or imply that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. The employee will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other duties requested by their leader.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find parts sales associates for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any parts sales associates they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level parts sales associates with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your parts sales associate job on Zippia to find and recruit parts sales associate candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites such as salesjobs, salesheads, allretailjobs.com, sales trax.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit parts sales associates, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new parts sales associate

   Once you've selected the best parts sales associate candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new parts sales associate first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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