Spotlight On: Jaz Arak, General Parts Manager

Jaz Arak, General Parts Manager at Dennis Eagle

1. Hi Jaz, great to be able to speak with you about your experiences at Dennis Eagle. Could you tell us how long you’ve been with the business and what your role is?

Thanks for having me. My career with Dennis Eagle started in our Aftermarket Division back in 1989, immediately after I left Myton High School in Warwick at the age of 16. After many years in the industry and multiple different roles, I am now the business’ General Parts Manager, having been promoted to the role in 2024.

2. How would you describe your role in three words?

I would describe my role as challenging, varied, and satisfying.

3. What are some of your key responsibilities? 

Some of my key responsibilities include managing the essential relationship with our third-party logistics partner, TVS Supply Chain Solutions, and ensuring specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are met, such as availability, on-time delivery, and on-time dispatch. Another large part of my role involves overseeing parts supply on a global scale, leading me to work with suppliers across the UK, Ireland, wider Europe, Australia, the USA, Hong Kong, and Canada in order to maintain and build on our strong relationships. It is also essential for us to be able to continue providing our customers with genuine OE-engineered parts at competitive prices. Our industry-leading Electronic Parts Catalogue (EPC) is critical to the success of this, supporting the easy identification of parts using VIN or vehicle registration numbers. I have also had key involvement with implementing Power BI dashboards into our Aftermarket department, and am currently a member of the Whole Life Cost and Parts market share for our wider Terberg Environmental group. 

4. What did you do before becoming our General Parts Manager?

I initially joined Dennis Eagle through the Government-backed Youth Training Scheme (YTS), a two-year programme designed to help school leavers gain practical workplace experience and develop professional skills. Following the successful completion of my YTS programme, I was offered a full-time position at the age of 18, working within warranty administration and supplier returns.  The role was very hands-on, involving the movement of heavy hydraulic cylinders and automotive components while also providing direct telephone support to customers. This early experience gave me a strong understanding of both customer service and the practical realities of the Aftermarket business.

After two years, I moved into a Service Controller and Technical Support role, coordinating engineers to attend vehicle breakdowns and helping customers to minimise downtime. Although not formally trained as an engineer, I regularly supported customers with technical guidance and fault resolution under the mentorship of David Sim, whose knowledge, support, and friendship had a significant impact on my development. David sadly passed away in 2026, but his influence remains an important part of my career journey.

At the age of 21, I was given a life-changing opportunity when John Callow, then Aftermarket Director, agreed to sponsor my studies towards a BSc (Hons) in Manufacturing Systems at Manchester Metropolitan University. During academic breaks, I returned to Dennis Eagle to undertake a variety of aftermarket improvement projects, including parts marketing initiatives, ISO 9001 quality projects, and process improvement activities. During this period, I created the company's first Quick Reference Parts Catalogue and developed the marketing slogan ‘Eagle Watch’. I still hold copies of the original catalogues in my office today.

Following graduation in 1996, I secured my first management position as Aftermarket Parts Manager. After two successful years in the role, I decided to broaden my experience and left Dennis Eagle to join Rockwell Automation where I worked as a Pre-Sales Consultant supporting the pharmaceutical industry. This gave me the opportunity to travel internationally and saw me visit clinical trial manufacturing facilities and work with customers across the globe.

After spending roughly ten years away from Dennis Eagle, I returned to the business in 2016 on a temporary basis to support several key projects, including the implementation of Dennis Connect (now Terberg Connect) and our migration to the Mitel telephone system. In 2018, I was then appointed Aftermarket Parts Manager in a full-time position. Since then, I have led several strategic initiatives across the Parts operation, supporting improvements in customer service, supply chain performance, inventory management, and commercial growth.

In recognition of these achievements and my contribution to the business, I was promoted to General Parts Manager in 2024. Having started my career as a 16-year-old YTS trainee, my journey reflects more than three decades of growth, continuous learning, and commitment to Dennis Eagle. I remain passionate about developing people, enhancing the customer experience, and supporting the long-term success of our Aftermarket business.

5. Why did you decide to join Dennis Eagle and what makes you want to stay?

As mentioned previously, I joined Dennis Eagle at 16 years old through the Government-backed YTS programme for school leavers. When joining straight out of school, I didn’t really know much about Dennis Eagle as a business, however by the time I left the company and much later rejoined, I’d become very passionate about our products and the people, which ultimately led to me returning roughly 10 years later, and it’s why I’m still here today.

6. What is your favourite thing about working at Dennis Eagle? 

My favourite part of working at Dennis Eagle is the business’ culture and the people I work with. I like being able to manage and deliver positive change for the business on a nearly daily basis. It also challenges me to switch between different skill sets when dealing with our customers and suppliers, which I believe I’m particularly proficient at.

7. What is your proudest achievement so far?  

Most recently, entering management and becoming a General Parts Manager was a huge personal achievement, especially because it’s given me the opportunity to implement changes that not only benefit Dennis Eagle but our customer base too. I’m also proud of the fact I was able to return to Dennis Eagle and experience working here at different stages of my life.

8. Do you have any specific goals or ambitions for the future of your role? 

Currently, Dennis Eagle’s Parts operation is world class, and I would like to be able to assist others within our wider Group to assess, improve, and standardise their Parts operations to ensure we’re all aligned and approaching these in the most optimal way possible.    

9.  Final question: who are you outside of work?  

I actually live very locally to our Dennis Eagle site in Warwick, just 1.2 miles from the factory. I love going to the gym before starting work in the mornings and taking long walks over the weekend. I also enjoy travelling with my wife and discovering new holiday destinations as well as visiting my son whenever I can, who is currently living in Vancouver, Canada.