Storekeepers and Parts Technicians

Nature of work

Storekeepers and parts technicians order, warehouse, inventory, and sell parts. They work for manufacturing companies, warehouses, retail and wholesale companies, mining, forestry and construction companies, repair shops, hospitals, and other organizations.

Job duties

Storekeepers and parts technicians:

• Receive and sort incoming parts and supplies.
• Store items in an orderly and accessible manner in a warehouse, tool room, supply room or other area.
• Process incoming requisitions and issue or distribute parts and supplies for internal usage.
• Maintain records of orders and the amount, kind and location of parts and supplies on hand using manual or computerized inventory system.
• Prepare orders to restock parts and supplies.
• Sell spare and replacement parts for motor vehicles, machinery and equipment in a retail setting.
• Advise retail customers or internal users on appropriateness of parts, supplies or materials requested.

Sample job titles

• auto parts clerk - retail
• medical supply attendant
• parts clerk
• parts counter clerk - retail
• partsperson
• parts technician
• storekeeper
• tool room attendant
• warehouse clerk - parts and equipment

Skills

• Interpersonal skills
• Customer service skills
• Computer application skills
• Problem solving skills
• Mathematical skills
• Manual dexterity
• Mechanical aptitude
• Organizational skills
• Attention to detail
• Ability to multi-task
• Ability to work independently
• Strength and stamina

Job requirements

• High school or equivalent, usually.
• Specialized training courses may be required.
• Trade Qualifier option: 8,100 hours and other criteria.
• Certification for parts technicians is voluntary in Nova Scotia.
• Write and score a minimum of 70% on the Red Seal exam for parts technicians.
• Red Seal Endorsement (RSE) allows for interprovincial mobility.

Other considerations

• Work is completed both indoors and outdoors. Indoor environments include offices, warehouses, and storerooms where large inventories are kept on rows of shelves or in bins.
• Work hours vary by industry. Most work a 40-hour workweek and those in large facilities may work shifts.
• Risks include operating large equipment like lift trucks and handling, transporting, and storing hazardous materials.
• The work can be physically demanding. Workers stand, walk, lift, and drive during the workday.
• This trade appeals to service-oriented people.
• Experience in a related clerical role, or as a warehouse worker, may be required for parts technicians.
• The activities of a parts technician are similar for all industries, but the product knowledge necessary is quite different. Parts technicians need an up-to-date knowledge of the industry as well as technical knowledge of the parts and their applications.
• This career offers stable employment and is not highly affected by seasonal employment trends.
• The computer and parts catalogs are the most important tools for the parts technician.
• Use of electronic catalogs requires parts technicians to be precise in the use of terminology within industry sectors in order to locate the correct parts in the catalogs.
• Experienced parts technicians may move into other positions like sales representative, purchasing representative, parts department management, store manager, or store owner.
• Parts technicians may specialize in a line of parts like automotive parts, recreational vehicle parts, marine parts, heavy equipment parts, agricultural machinery parts, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning parts, or refrigeration parts.

Regulations

Contacts