Shawn Conner has made a career out of knowing ag equipment from the inside out. Now Parts Manager for our ag dealership, Shawn got his start at Jenner Ag 14 years ago, but his parts experience goes way back, to working in a dealership parts department back in high school. “I have enjoyed equipment and implements from a young age, knowing how they work and what each piece is used for,” he says. “That love of knowledge is what helps me in my job today.”
Staying current on all the updates happening in the agriculture industry is key, says Shawn. “I try to keep up with how equipment is advancing from year-to-year, what updates they are adding. That effort helps me stay educated within the industry.
He can take a look at changes coming to equipment know what we’ll need for planting. “Understanding equipment helps you understand what parts you need to stock,” he explains. “I know what parts we need to bring in, so we have what customers need.” Shawn says being more educated makes you more of an asset, not just to your own team, but to customers as well.
Shawn takes pride not just in helping his customers, but also in making sure the department meets his standards. “I hope one of the first things people notice about our Parts Department at Jenner Ag is our aesthetic. When they walk in, I want them to notice that our store is clean, neat, and organized,” he says. “We aren’t just a parts room with a dusty old counter and parts laying all over the place. I keep track of our inventory and pay attention to what we need to order. Our team prioritizes improving inventory management. We take pride in that. Having organized inventory helps us better serve our customers.”
He maintains that to be a successful parts specialist, you have to keep customer satisfaction as your main goal. Shawn says the parts team treats every customer as if they are the only customer. “When you can solve an issue or help them get a part that is hard to come by, those are the days when you really feel like you accomplished something,” says Shawn. “What separates you most from other businesses is how you interact with your customers.”