The Company
Aqueduct Marina is an Award winning Inland Waterways marina based in Cheshire. Our mission is to enable our customers to get the most enjoyment possible from their leisure experiences. We do this by having knowledgeable staff, top class facilities and industry leading services all on one site.
Our vision is to build the best marina destination in the UK whilst embracing our values (we are Helpful, Proud, One team and memorable). We are looking for a forward thinking and organised Parts Manager to join our team and help us continue to grow.
Parts Manager
Reporting to: Services Manager
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8.00am–5.00pm, plus some weekends on a rota basis
Closing date: 5 August 2026
Role purpose
The Parts Manager is responsible for the effective purchasing, storage, control and issue of parts, materials and consumables used by Aqueduct Services and sold through the Chandlery.
You will manage both the customer-facing Chandlery and the behind-the-scenes stores operation, ensuring customers receive knowledgeable, helpful service while the workshop has the right materials and parts available when needed.
You will also oversee marina service activities, including fuel, pump-outs and moorer utilities.
Key responsibilities
Chandlery and customer experience
- Lead the day-to-day operation of the Chandlery retail space.
- Deliver friendly, knowledgeable and professional service to boat owners, trade customers and internal colleagues.
- Ensure the showroom is clean, well presented, fully stocked and in line with site appearance standards.
- Maintain effective product displays, marketing materials and marine systems demonstrations.
- Provide advice and support to customers on parts, accessories, upgrades and marine systems.
- Complete daily cashing-up procedures accurately.
Stores and stock management
- Manage the receipt, storage, issue and control of all parts, tools, materials and consumables.
- Ensure stock is booked in correctly, allocated to jobs accurately and issued to customers or workshop teams efficiently.
- Maintain safe, tidy and logical storage areas for parts, raw materials, engineering consumables, retail stock and giftware.
- Help plan the layout of the stores and showroom to make best use of space and improve efficiency.
- Carry out regular stock checks and scheduled stocktakes.
- Monitor stock levels, usage, discrepancies, slow-moving stock and obsolete items.
- Investigate stock discrepancies and put corrective actions in place.
- Recommend actions to reduce unnecessary stock holding while maintaining availability of essential items.
Purchasing and supplier management
- Purchase parts, materials and stock at the right price, quality and availability.
- Build strong relationships with key suppliers and negotiate effectively to protect margins.
- Raise purchase orders and ensure buying records are accurate.
- Check part numbers, specifications, alternatives and pricing against supplier catalogues, manuals and parts lists.
- Identify suitable new products, suppliers and revenue opportunities.
Workshop support and planning
- Work closely with the Workshop team to ensure materials, engineering consumables and bought-in parts are available in line with planned jobs.
- Review upcoming projects and workshop requirements each week to prevent delays.
- Support the efficient and cost-effective delivery of workshop work.
- Ensure stock and purchasing processes support profitability across the Services Department.
Leadership, systems and improvement
- Supervise and coordinate Chandlery and stores staff, including training team members to provide holiday and sickness cover.
- Learn, understand and document department processes, procedures and ways of working.
- Ensure all activities are completed safely and in line with company policies and procedures.
- Carry out daily health and safety checks in both the retail and stores areas.
- Identify and communicate opportunities to improve systems, processes, service and efficiency.
- Produce a monthly management report covering performance against objectives, financial results and agreed KPIs.
Key performance expectations
The role is expected to be approximately:
- 60% productive: serving customers, managing stores, receiving deliveries and issuing stock.
- 40% managerial: purchasing, supplier management, stock planning, team supervision and reporting.
Daily tasks
- Serve retail, trade and internal workshop customers.
- Process deliveries and book stock into the system.
- Allocate and issue stock to internal jobs.
- Cash up the retail area.
- Complete health and safety checks.
- Check that the Chandlery meets presentation and cleanliness standards.
Weekly tasks
- Check diesel fuel stock levels.
- Review upcoming workshop jobs and projects with the Engineering team.
- Plan purchasing and stock requirements accordingly.
Monthly tasks
- Produce a management report on financial performance, KPIs and progress against objectives.
- Complete stocktakes of key products and investigate variances.
Skills and behaviours
You will be someone who:
- Puts safety first in everything you do.
- Takes ownership, acts proactively and looks for solutions.
- Leads by example and motivates others.
- Delivers excellent customer service without compromising on quality.
- Is open, honest and fair, offering constructive feedback and support.
- Communicates clearly with customers, suppliers and colleagues.
- Can work calmly to deadlines in a busy, customer- and profit-focused environment.
- Thinks ahead and continually looks for ways to improve.
Essential experience and skills
- At least five years’ experience in an engineering stores, parts or stock-control role.
- Experience using inventory management systems.
- Strong purchasing and negotiation skills.
- Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office.
- Knowledge of diesel engines and/or spare-parts sales.
- Strong organisational and stock-control skills.
Desirable experience and skills
- Steel sourcing and purchasing.
- Retail or showroom management.
- Retail merchandising.
- Sourcing new products, systems and suppliers.
- Selling marine systems, accessories and upgrades.
- Marine engineering experience.
Benefits
- 28 days’ holiday per year, including bank holidays.
- Workplace pension scheme, with the option to opt out.
- Staff discounts on food and drink from The Waterfront Cafe
- Boat services discounts
- Health scheme
- Physiotherapy support
- Monday–Friday working, with some weekend rota cover required.
Job Types: Permanent, Full-time
Pay: £28,000.00-£33,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company events
- Discounted or free food
- Employee discount
- On-site parking
- Wellness programme
Experience:
- Stock Management: 5 years (preferred)
Work Location: In person
