Russell Nidiffer, Parts/Field Service Coordinator, has had the unique opportunity of working in not one, not two but three different departments at Jenner Ag. For the past four years, Russell has picked up an array of knowledge in parts and service. Among others, Russell helps service techs get the parts they need to complete repairs, updates all the software for machines in the shop and manages SlingShot accounts for customers.
“I started in shipping, which helped me a lot when I moved into the Parts Department and then Service. I don’t have a background in agriculture - I started with zero knowledge of the industry. Having the opportunity to work in shipping allowed me to grow my knowledge base exponentially,” says Russell. “Being able to go to work every day and see what various parts physically looked like changed how I put everything together in my head.”
When he moved to Parts, that knowledge helped him serve customers quickly and knowledgably. “If a customer said I need a hydraulic valve, I knew what they looked like so when I went into the computer, I could see the part and it sped up the process of ordering them,” he explains.
Today, Russell is confident in his ability to help anticipate customers’ needs on future repairs based on what part they are requesting now. “Whether it’s for machine inspections or because the service tech got a call from customers needing parts, I can say, “I know this part goes here - do you also need this part? Having that background in parts, I can say well let's also look at this,” says Russell.
Russell says his greatest job experience to date was a cross-training opportunity unique to Jenner Ag: being able to go to Jenner Precision and help put together toolbars. “I think everyone that works with Parts should have that chance. Seeing our guys put the parts where they actually go on the toolbar and how it functions is priceless knowledge.”