Junior Parts Associate at SparePap Limited

Position Overview

The Junior Parts Associate is a specialist role dedicated to driving new business generation, seeking new clients, markets, and business opportunities, with a primary focus on aggressively acquiring and outsourcing vehicle spare parts merchants and inventory onto the SparePap online marketplace across all car model parts and all geographies. The Junior Parts Associate will play a critical role in maintaining platform liquidity, fostering strong relationships with merchants, and ensuring a seamless process for customers.

To succeed in this role he/she must understand and be knowledgeable about the Kenyan automotive market generally, vehicle after sales management processes, car makes, parts and their origins, etc.; and communicate effectively with managers and other colleagues on these processes. As a client facing role, it requires quick turnaround times, clear communication and effective delegation. From time to time the incumbent shall undergo rigorous capacity building to refresh their knowledge on car parts and/or technologies available for different car models positioning Sparepap as the preferred market-place for car parts.

Roles & Responsibilities:

Aggressive Acquisition and Aggregation:

• Drive the aggressive acquisition and aggregation of a diversified spare parts merchant base on the SparePap platform.
• Map out spare parts merchants across different brands, car makes, part types (used, brand new, refurbished, etc.), and merchant tiers.

Platform Liquidity:

• Ensure the platform remains liquid in terms of the availability of spare parts for the mass market.
• Maintain a good relationship with merchants and provide support to enable them to sell online.

Cataloging and Pricing:

• Ensure enlisted spare parts are accurately cataloged, priced, and updated regularly.
• Ensure that SparePap maintains highly competitive prices, aligning with or surpassing market rates, through ongoing engagement with an extensive network of merchants and skillful negotiation for favorable pricing.

Outsourcing:

• Aggressively and efficiently outsource spare parts from different merchants, negotiating for the best prices.
• Manage client expectations during the outsourcing process, ensuring clear communication and alignment on delivery timelines, quality, and pricing.
• Collaborate effectively with the customer service and telesales team to facilitate seamless order fulfillment and address any customer queries or concerns promptly.
• Coordinate the outsourcing process efficiently by collecting and organizing data required for outsourcing different categories of spare parts, including but not limited to brand new, used, and various types of parts.
• Ensure compliance with company policies and standards in the outsourcing process, maintaining high-quality standards for all sourced spare parts.
• Provide regular updates to the customer service and telesales teams regarding the status of outsourced parts, expected delivery times, and any potential issues that may impact customer satisfaction.
• Implement best practices in outsourcing procedures to optimize efficiency and minimize lead times.
• Collaborate with merchants to secure accurate product information, including specifications, compatibility, and condition, to enhance the online catalog and customer experience.
• Continuously evaluate and enhance the outsourcing strategy to improve cost-effectiveness and increase the diversity of spare parts available on the SparePap platform.

Merchant Management:

• Oversee regular updates of merchant inventories on SparePap.
• Collaborate with merchants to maintain a comprehensive database of vehicle spare parts.
• Implement regular pricing updates, reflecting market dynamics.
• Monitor adherence to operational procedures by merchants for timely order dispatch.
• Collaborate with logistics for streamlined and timely operations in order fulfillment.
• Develop and implement effective processes for swift resolution of product returns while collaborating with merchants to minimize returns through quality control measures. 
• Liaise with Parts Manager and finance for timely payments to merchants.
• Negotiate and advocate for better credit limits balancing the needs of SparePap and interests of merchants.
• Foster strong relationships with merchants serving as the primary point of contact for addressing queries and escalating issues.
• Actively seek feedback to enhance the merchant experience on SparePap.

Communication and Coordination:

• Communicate effectively with managers, customer service, and telesales colleagues on vehicle after-sales management processes, car makes, parts, and their origins.
• Coordinate with the customer service and telesales team to ensure efficient and effective order fulfillment in the outsourcing process, ensuring quick turnaround times.

Market Understanding:

• Understand the local market in the assigned region with a focus on business drivers and issues that impact sales performance.
• Analyze market trends for competitive pricing strategies.
• Identify business improvement opportunities and make recommendations to the direct supervisor.

Reporting and Documentation:

• Provide timely weekly activities, reconciliations, status reports, and learnings to the company.
• Maintain daily visibility on actions and results.

Capacity Building:

• Undergo rigorous capacity building to refresh knowledge on car parts and technologies available for different car models.
• Position SparePap as the preferred marketplace for car parts through continuous learning and expertise enhancement.

Key Performance Indicators

• Quality of customer feedback with a key focus on the outsourcing process
• Error free, complete and reliable reports for decisions making
• Increased market share growth of Sparepap in the automotive industry
• Minimal to 0% return rate
• Zero non-compliance at all times
• 100% fulfillment of enquiries on parts availability and prices
• 100% adoption of policies and operational procedures throughout the company

  Experience Profile 

• Degree or Higher Diploma in marketing, sales and/or customer service
• Knowledge of Mechanical Trade an advantage 
• Significant previous maintenance experience working in heavy industry, ideally within transportation
• Excellent geographical knowledge for merchant mapping and logistics purposes

Personal Attributes 

• Excellent listening, negotiation and presentation skills  
• Proactive 
• Excellent client management skills i.e. managing experiences and expectations for both internal and external clients.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills. 
• High Emotional Intelligence and enthusiasm needed to motivate a team to performance 
• Time Management 
• Analytical and reporting skills 
• Decision-Making Skills
• Integrity
• Commercial Awareness