Aiming to find a way to improve workshop systems and keep in mind what’s best for the team, parts manager, Danielle Petta knows how to get things done.
Capable and driven, Danielle Petta has found her stride working in the repair industry. Embracing her role as the ‘fix it’ person, Danielle enjoys helping people when issues arise.
Growing up immersed in the automotive industry, Danielle always had her sights set on being involved in repair in one way or another.
At 28 years old, Danielle has already spent a decade in the industry learning the ropes and advancing her skills.
Born in Sydney, Danielle and her family moved to the Central Coast in her primary school years. Danielle currently works at the Kotara branch of Fortress Collision Repair Services in New South Wales.
Also skilled as an accounts officer, estimator, and production management, Danielle’s skills and capabilities extend beyond her job title as ‘parts manager’.
“One day never looks the same,” Danielle says.
“I am dealing with the ordering of the parts. I look over every single quote that comes through and I make sure we are getting the best part margin and from the most reliable suppliers.”
Creating a system that allows for errors and setbacks is an area that Danielle enjoys perfecting.
“I order the parts to arrive a few days prior to the booking just in case there are any issues,” Danielle says.
“This allows me to have a bit of time up my sleeve to fix issues if they arise.”
Danielle is also the go-to person for ‘supp sheets’ and assists with the invoice batching where she can.
“Anything extra, like parts and paints, that the boys on the floor need, I put in the order,” Danielle says.
And if that wasn’t already enough, Danielle is also part of the accounts team part time.
“I like to see how every stage works to really get an understanding of it, and how it can impact other stages of this industry,” Danielle says.
“I feel like the more knowledge I have the better I am able to do my job because I’m looking at it from multiple aspects and not just how it would affect myself.”
“It is busy and chaotic, but I love it.”
Growing up around the repair industry
Not in unfamiliar territory, Danielle’s childhood revolved around her father’s panel shop.
“I spent a lot of time growing up around the shop. When we lived in Sydney, after school I would always be there, hanging around until he finished work for the day,” Danielle says.
“I was exposed to the industry my whole life.”
It wasn’t until Danielle became a teenager that she also took on her father’s love of cars.
“When everyone around me started getting their drivers licenses, my passion for cars only grew,” Danielle says.
“I definitely have a strong interest and passion for cars outside of work, but it has also helped with my job too.”
It was Danielle’s father that set her up for her first job in the industry. He returned home from work one day and said there was a job as an administration assistant going in a repair workshop on the central coast.
“I went in for an interview, got the job, and that was my first experience in smash repairs,” Danielle says.
From there, Danielle took her love of the industry to a few different workshops, each time growing her skills and area of expertise.
“My first shop I worked in was purely admin, and then I moved to a shop where I was doing parts management and estimating,” Danielle says.
“The third shop I was at also taught me admin, estimating and production management. From that shop I was contacted by Fortress Collision and now I do a bit of everything.”
Danielle found her niche in parts management, but also has found a solid interest in accounts as well.
“If I had a choice, parts, and accounts would always be the two areas I would pick every time,” Danielle says.
“They are definitely my favourite.”
Overcoming challenges
While any career and industry has its challenges and hurdles to overcome, the lack of female representation has made females in the industry subject to discouraging behaviours.
“I have had a few challenges when I was estimating for male customers,” Danielle says.
“They don’t always have a lot of faith in you when they see you are a female.”
“A lot of male customers would ask for me to get a male colleague for them to confirm what I had just told them.”
“I also had that experience with my fair share of females as well.”
While Danielle acknowledges that it is a male dominated industry, and that customers want the best service possible, she highlights the frustration it can cause.
“I have had multiple customers say to me after their repairs are done, that they didn’t have a lot of faith in me, but I happily proved them wrong,” Danielle says.
“It is a bit of a slap in the face compliment but it has happened multiple times, so I am used to it now.”
With that being said, Danielle celebrated the fact that more females are joining the industry.
“It’s becoming more normal to see females in this industry which is encouraging and a welcome change,” Danielle says.
A good reputation
Her strong work ethic and desire to improve has not gone unrecognised by her peers. Danielle was nominated for an Emerging Leader Award by a Business Services Consultant from Sherwin Williams called Darren Lobley.
“I work quite closely with Darren because I do all the paint ordering and stock take. We work together to make sure all our systems are running smoothly and to the best of their abilities,” Danielle says.
Danielle believes a strong leader is someone who takes the time to explain tasks and has an empathic ear.
“I wouldn’t be where I am today without my manager at my second shop I worked at, Gary. He is 100 per cent a mentor for me,” Danielle says.
“He taught me everything I know about parts and estimating and we work really well together.”
They work so well together, that Gary, who moved to Fortress months before Danielle, recommended her for the job she has now at Fortress.
“We just understand one another and he is very thorough in explaining things. He understands how I learn and we are always thinking in terms of what is best for the business,” Danielle says.
“We both want to go above and beyond for our team because we can see the end goal.”
“He has been a huge part of any success I have had.”
Danielle also looks to her father for advice about work, the industry and cars.
“Over dinner we are always discussing the industry and bouncing ideas off one another.”
Teamwork
Happy with where she is at in her career, Danielle praises her team for making coming to work a joyful experience.
“We have a great team. This is the best staffing I’ve worked with. Everyone is go with the flow and understanding. We deal with issues as a unit, and there is no blaming. It makes day to day enjoyable.”
Danielle not only enjoys learning new skills, but extending herself to really understand her job and the responsibility it holds. Danielle highlights how patience, and being curious are two key attributes in her role.
“My advice would be to ask questions if you’re not sure of something,” Danielle says.
“It is best off asking and double checking that its right the first time. It saves times down the track and it’s the best thing for the team.”
Hobbies outside of work
Outside of her career, Danielle has a broad range of hobbies and interest that keep her occupied when she isn’t at work, including her Japanese drift car.
‘I have a Nissan 180 SX that I am building outside of work. I’ve had it since I was 17, so it’s been a long project, but hopefully it will be finished very soon,” Danielle says.
Danielle is also an avid reader and a gamer.
“I love fantasy, true crime novels, so I spend a lot of time reading those.”
Looking into the future
Content and satisfied with her achievements so far, Danielle is looking forward to taking every opportunity that comes her way.
“We will hopefully expand the business in NSW in 2025, so that will give me more opportunities to grow in my role,” Danielle says.
“Eventually down the track I would love to be a centre manager of a location or a state parts manager. Just to grow with the business, I am very happy with where I am.”