Counter Associate (Retail)

West Springfield Auto Powered By Parts Authority; Waterloo (IA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading automotive parts distributor is seeking a Counter Associate to join their expanding team. The role involves inside sales, building customer relationships, and achieving sales goals. Candidates should have retail sales experience, exceptional communication skills, and a passion for customer service. Benefits include medical coverage, paid holidays, and 401(k) profit sharing.

Benefits

Medical, dental, vision coverage

Life and AD&D insurance

Disability coverage

Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts

Paid holidays, sick leave, and vacation

Profit sharing/401(k)

Employee discounts

Qualifications

• Experience in retail counter sales, preferably in automotive aftermarket.
• Exceptional phone skills and customer service passion.
• Ability to work independently and take initiative.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain relationships with customers.
• Close sales to meet targets and provide accurate quotes.
• Track lost sales and fulfill customer orders.

Skills

Negotiation

Communication

Customer Service

Sales

Time Management

Education

Automotive Knowledge

Tools

POS Systems

MS Word

MS Excel

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 over 300 locations 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 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 right parts promptly.

What sets Parts Authority apart is our team. We employ professionally trained, experienced counter personnel dedicated to helping customers find the right parts and brands for their needs.

We partner with over 400 suppliers worldwide, including top brands like 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. We are expanding rapidly and are looking for candidates to join our family! If you seek 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 within the store. To succeed, you must build and maintain productive, long-lasting relationships with customers and achieve sales goals.

• Build and maintain relationships with existing customers
• Close sales to meet targets (“Get the Sale!”)
• Engage with customers professionally and courteously
• Understand customer needs
• Locate hard-to-find parts and negotiate with vendors for the best deals
• Provide accurate quotes to customers
• Follow up on quotes and previous orders
• Track lost sales
• Promote company specials
• Assist other counter staff when needed
• Identify and qualify new sales opportunities
• Fulfill customer orders from various clients including installers, fleets, municipalities, and dealerships
• Perform other duties as assigned
• Maintain workplace safety
• Secure and transfer cash or assets

Qualifications

• Experience in retail counter sales, preferably in the automotive aftermarket industry
• Exceptional phone skills: positive tone, clear enunciation, attentive listening
• Excellent negotiation, interpersonal, and communication skills
• Passion for customer service and exceeding sales goals
• Ability to build lasting business relationships
• Automotive knowledge preferred
• Results-oriented, proactive, and growth-driven
• Experience with POS systems a plus
• Proficiency in MS Word and Excel preferred
• Strong time management and organizational skills
• Multilingual abilities (Spanish and/or Chinese) a plus
• Ability to work independently and take initiative
• Outgoing, assertive personality with a positive, proactive attitude and tenacity in pursuing goals

Preference and top pay will be given to candidates with relevant experience.

Benefits include:

• Medical, dental, vision coverage
• Life and AD&D insurance
• Disability coverage
• Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts
• Reimbursement programs
• Insurance options
• Paid holidays, sick leave, and 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.