Why Parts Managers Still Get Overlooked

Kaylee Felio sits down with The Ted Ings Fixed Ops Roundtable Pop-up event at Snell Motor Company in Dallas. It’s an in-person conversation that celebrates the critical role of parts managers and breaks down what’s still missing in fixed ops culture today.

Kaylee shares her personal mission to spotlight parts professionals who are often forgotten in the service-dominated world of dealership operations. Ted supports the message with decades of industry insight.

Service Always Gets the Stage

Ted says what everyone knows but rarely says. Fixed ops panels are full of service managers. Parts is barely mentioned. Kaylee is working to shift that, creating content and support that parts managers actually need.

The Parts Department Is a Hidden Power

Kaylee challenges the mindset around inventory. Most dealers treat parts as a back-end cost center. In reality, it is one of the biggest assets on the books, often equal in value to the used car lot.

Support That Stays for Years

Snell’s own parts director has been with PartsEdge for more than 15 years. Kaylee explains why their focus stays tight. They do not try to do everything. They do inventory and operational support for parts managers, and they do it at a level that builds confidence for both new and experienced leaders.

Takeaways

• Parts managers need a seat at the leadership table
• Inventory is not background noise, it is a front-line asset
• Strong managers are built through long-term education
• Stop accepting the silence around parts in fixed ops events
• Smart support leads to smarter stocking and stronger teams

“Parts managers are often left alone. That has to change.” — Kaylee Felio