Counter Associate (Retail)

Parts Authority; Waterloo (IA); On-site; Full time

Job summary

A leading distributor of automotive parts is seeking a Counter Associate in Waterloo, Iowa. The role involves inside sales, building customer relationships, and achieving sales goals. Ideal candidates will have retail experience, strong communication skills, and a passion for customer service. Benefits include medical coverage, paid time off, and profit sharing.

Benefits

Medical, dental, vision coverage

Life, AD&D, disability insurance

Flexible Spending, HSA, HRA accounts

Paid holidays, sick leave, vacation

Profit sharing/401(k)

Employee discounts

Qualifications

• Experience in retail counter sales preferred.
• Exceptional phone skills and customer service focus.
• Ability to build lasting business relationships.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain relationships with customers.
• Close sales and achieve sales goals.
• Locate difficult-to-find parts and negotiate with vendors.

Skills

Customer Service

Negotiation

Communication

Time Management

Interpersonal Skills

Education

High School Diploma

Tools

POS Systems

MS Office

Job description

Overview

Parts Authority, founded in 1973, is a leading national distributor of automotive replacement parts, tools/equipment, and transmissions. Headquartered in Long Island, New York, Parts Authority is rapidly expanding, with more than 300 locations servicing customers across various states including Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Washington DC, and Wisconsin.

Our growth has been driven by both organic initiatives and acquisitions, with over a dozen companies acquired in recent years. Our extensive catalog of over 3 million parts covering more than 125 million applications ensures our customers receive the parts they need, when they need them.

What sets Parts Authority apart is OUR TEAM. We pride ourselves on having a team of professionally trained, experienced counter people dedicated to helping customers find the right parts and brands for each application.

We partner with over 400 suppliers worldwide, including top brands such as AC Delco, Motorcraft, Denso, Bosch, KYB, Monroe, Gates, Dorman, and Exide, to provide the best quality parts for domestic and import vehicles.

Each team member plays a vital role in our success. As we expand rapidly, we are looking for candidates to join our family! If you enjoy full-time employment with opportunities for advancement, consider joining us as a Counter Associate.

Responsibilities

The Counter Associate (Retail) reports directly to the Store Manager and is responsible for inside sales activities within the store. Success in this role requires building and maintaining productive, long-lasting relationships with customers and achieving sales goals.

• Build and maintain productive, long-lasting relationships with existing customers
• Close sales to achieve goals (“Get the Sale!”)
• Work with customers in a professional, courteous manner
• Familiarize with customers and their needs
• Locate difficult-to-find parts and negotiate with vendors for the best deals
• Accurately quote parts to customers
• Follow up with customers to ensure purchase completion
• Track lost sales
• Promote company specials
• Assist other counter staff when necessary
• Qualify and foster new sales opportunities with existing and new customers
• Fulfill customer orders from various clients including installers, fleets, municipalities, and dealerships
• Perform other duties as assigned
• Maintain and promote workplace safety
• Secure and transfer cash or assets as required

Qualifications

• Experience in retail counter sales, especially in the aftermarket auto parts industry, preferred
• Exceptional phone skills: positive tone, clear enunciation, attentive listening, leaving customers satisfied
• Excellent negotiation, interpersonal, and communication skills (written and verbal)
• Passion for customer service and exceeding sales goals
• Ability to build and maintain lasting business relationships
• General automotive knowledge preferred
• Results-oriented, proactive, and growth-driven
• Experience with POS systems is a plus
• Proficient in MS Office (Word and Excel) is preferred
• Strong time management and organizational skills
• Multilingual abilities in Spanish and/or Chinese (Mandarin or Cantonese) are a plus
• Ability to work independently and proactively
• Outgoing, assertive personality with a positive, can-do attitude and tenacity in pursuing goals

We give preference and top pay to candidates with relevant experience

Benefits include:

• Medical, dental, vision coverage
• Life, AD&D, disability insurance
• Flexible Spending, HSA, HRA accounts
• Accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, ID theft, legal, pet insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Paid holidays, sick leave, vacation
• Profit sharing/401(k)
• Employee discounts

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and consider all applicants regardless of race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship, or other protected statuses. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in accordance with applicable laws.

Minimum Compensation

USD $17.50 per hour.