A $30 million inventory means nothing if your team is not growing with it

In this episode of the PartsEdge Podcast, Kaylee talks with Jim Oliveri, Parts Director at West Herr Auto Group. With over 30 years in the business and responsibility for 40+ Dealerships and about 60 rooftops, Jim explains how he balances growth, leadership, and logistics while keeping his team empowered and customers loyal.

Listen to the full episode 🎧

https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/thepartsedgepodcast/episodes/The-Future-of-Automotive-Parts-What-Every-Dealership-Needs-to-Know-e36ghkh

Managing Millions Without Central Warehousing

Jim leads one of the country’s largest dealership groups with no central warehouse. Instead, they operate 100 parts trucks across stores and manage a $30 million inventory in motion. The team stays efficient by compartmentalizing operations and owning everything from a Napa franchise to a lift crew and auction service.

He is upfront that even with high fill rates, it is never enough. The pressure from backorders, weather delays, and customer expectations does not go away. But systems like in-house auditing, monthly reviews with parts managers, and cross-department problem solving keep things moving.

Letting People Lead Without Permission Slips

At West Herr, parts managers have the freedom to fix problems fast. That empowerment culture gives the team the confidence to make decisions without waiting for approval. Jim calls this the “better than even” policy: go above what the customer expects, and you will never get in trouble for spending money to do what is right.

Jim meets monthly with every parts manager to review expenses and goals. But more than that, he asks what they want to improve. From new tech to internal training programs, he believes in putting tools and trust in his people’s hands.

Growing Through Learning, Not Just Structure

Jim did not plan on staying in the industry when he started as a stock boy. But he found value in the logistics, money management, and leadership parts of the role. Now, he passes that mindset on to others.

West Herr runs its adult training program and partners with local colleges to build career paths in-house. Jim’s advice is simple. Do not be afraid to ask for help. Learn from everyone. And never assume someone has nothing to teach you just because of how they look or where they started.

Takeaways

"You will never get in trouble for spending money to make a customer happy if it is the right thing to do." — Jim Oliveri