Blair West
Account Manager
First Brands Group
How did you begin your career in the aftermarket?
I started working for Centric Parts (now a division of First Brands Group) in Sales Operations in 2016. I was supporting approximately 50 field sales reps and coordinating changeovers, special projects and customer onboarding. In my first couple years at Centric, I got to know many wonderful people in sales, product management, operations, etc., who were excited to share their understanding of the industry with me and help me build my perspective on the automotive aftermarket world.
What is your best advice to other women who want to excel in the automotive aftermarket?
My advice to other women who want to excel in the automotive aftermarket is to be focused on building a network and to chase after new learning opportunities.
How do you build up your confidence to prepare for challenging professional situations?
Know the facts and figures. Knowledge is power and I find that doing my research before a challenging meeting is the best thing I can do to not only fix the problem, but also ensure I’m a confident and engaged person in the room.
What do you believe are some of the most important skillsets to excel in a career in the aftermarket today?
Having strong interpersonal skills and having an ability to analyze data are some of the most important skillsets needed to excel in a career in the aftermarket today.