Vinnie’s Eagers Career Timeline
Vinnie Si, Group Trade Parts Manager for Eagers Automotive talks about the last 9 years working within the automotive parts industry.
Vinnie began his automotive parts journey while studying Economics at university where he applied his love of cars to importing and selling JDM car parts privately within the NZ market. After graduating Vinnie took up a role at BNT Automotive starting as a Junior Parts person, quickly progressing to a Senior Parts person and finally a Parts Manager. Vinnie excelled within the fast-moving customer focused roles at BNT, however when he was approached to explore a new role within Eagers Automotive, he decided to take on the new challenge.
Vinnie’s first role at Eagers was as an Assistant Trade Parts Manager based in Penrose taking on the responsibility of looking after the daily operations of the Trade Parts Center while supporting customer requirements. Being in this position for 1 year and 9 months, Vinnie learnt the ins and outs of the department and built strong relationships inside his team as well as the customers. Throughout this time Vinnie received mentoring from his manager to ensure he was set up for his next role. February 2023 Vinnie was nominated to take part in the Advanced Leadership Programme by his Line Manager further building his development within Eager’s. Much of his success within this role Vinnie puts down to ‘taking on the parts center as if it was his baby’ and taking complete ownership of his role and turning challenges into opportunities.
August 2023 the Trade Parts Center Manager role became available and Vinnie was approached to step up to the challenge, Vinnie jumped at the opportunity. This new role consisted of management of 10 parts interpreters and advisors with a key customer focus. He immediately began by applying advice received by Mike Critchley, Eagers (Country General Manager) to be ’Happy, but never satisfied’’ encouraging celebrations of wins, however always looking for the next opportunity for growth.
November 2023, Vinnie completed his Advanced Leadership Programme and graduated with excellence. He talked about his approach of always being outside of his comfort zone having been vital to this success. ’It’s better to make a mistake and learn from it than to do nothing at all’ This approach enables the most effective base to learn and develop.
Vinnie’s Advanced Leadership certificate and Certificate of Excellence proudly on display on his desk
Vinnie wanted to express his gratitude to the following colleagues for the support throughout his Eagers journey.
Debbie Reyland (People and Safety Manager) - for teaching the importance of self-discipline and owners’ mindset.
Mike Critchley (Country General Manager) – for mentoring Vinnie through his mindset shift for continuous development.
Darren Pratley – Advanced Leaders Tutor – for excellent teaching and professionalism
Aaron McDonald – For seeing the potential in Vinnie and the nomination for the Advanced Leadership Programme
And finally, he wanted to thank Eagers Automotive for seeing and supporting his progression within the group.
Vinnie and his Trade Parts Center team based in Penrose
Vinnie and his manager Aaron Macdonald