Why Parts Managers Deserve a Bigger Seat at the Table

In this episode of the PartsEdge Podcast, Kaylee talks with Christian Lafferty and Cliff Honeycutt from the Chris Collins Group. They discuss the disconnect between dealership departments, the untapped leadership potential of parts managers, and how the future of fixed ops depends on better collaboration, communication, and respect.

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https://www.partsedge.com/thepartsedgepodcast

Parts Departments Are Still Misunderstood

Cliff and Christian agree that parts departments are often treated as background support, not revenue centers. The truth is, parts managers manage inventory, budgets, fulfillment, and customer service all at once. That takes serious skill.

They explain that many GMs hesitate to engage with parts because they do not understand it. PartsEdge and leadership training help bridge that gap and make parts managers more visible and more valued.

The best stores are now breaking silos. Service and parts teams work together. Managers are promoted across departments. This is where growth happens.

Sales Happens at the Counter Too

Cliff challenges the idea that parts teams only fulfill orders. He compares it to Amazon. Are they just order fillers, or are they sellers? The same is true for the parts department. They handle transactions, manage expectations, and keep cars on the road.

Christian points out that some of the best GMs he knows came from parts. They bring logic, discipline, and a customer-first mindset. The industry needs to stop overlooking that path and start promoting from it.

Leadership Looks a Lot Like Parenting

All three share how team leadership feels similar to parenting. You set boundaries. You give support. You help people grow. Cliff shares how hard truths, delivered clearly and with care, make all the difference. Christian adds that lifting people up through structure is one of the most rewarding parts of leadership.

They also touch on Amazon, changing customer expectations, and how dealerships can use technology to create better parts operations instead of fearing it. The point is clear—leaders who can coach, adapt, and connect will always win.

Takeaways

"Parts managers are creative, strategic, and capable of far more than they are given credit for." — Christian Lafferty and Cliff Honeycutt