Vehicle Acquisition Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Job Outline: Vehicle Acquisition Specialist

Location: Royal Palm Beach, FL

Reports to: General Sales Manager/Used Car Manager  

Job Purpose: The Acquisition Specialist is responsible for sourcing, evaluating, and acquiring quality pre-owned vehicles for dealership inventory. This position develops relationships with vehicle owners, customers, wholesalers, and other sources to identify potential inventory purchases. The role requires strong automotive knowledge, excellent communication and negotiation skills, and the ability to accurately assess vehicle condition, market value, and potential profitability.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Identify and develop opportunities to acquire quality pre-owned vehicles through customer purchases, trade-in opportunities, online inquiries, and other sources.
2. Communicate with vehicle owners and prospective sellers to gather information regarding vehicle history, condition, ownership, and availability.
3. Inspect and evaluate vehicles for mechanical condition, cosmetic condition, mileage, equipment, history, and overall marketability.
4. Research current market values, comparable vehicles, auction trends, and other relevant data to establish appropriate acquisition pricing.
5. Coordinate vehicle appraisals, inspections, photographs, transportation, and other steps necessary to complete acquisitions.
6. Work with General//Sales/Used Car Sales Manager to negotiate, prepare, and present vehicle purchases while maintaining dealership profitability and inventory objectives.
7. Maintain accurate records of vehicle acquisitions, purchase prices, vehicle information, and supporting documentation.
8. Work closely with Sales, Used Car, Services, Parts, and Accounting departments to ensure acquired vehicles are processed efficiently and prepared for inventory.
9. Monitor acquired inventory through the reconditioning process and communicate any issues to management.
10. Maintain professional relationships with customers, vehicle sellers, and other acquisition sources.

Follow all dealership policies, applicable laws, and regulatory requirements related to vehicle purchases and transactions.

1. Assist management with other sales and inventory acquisition duties as needed.

Required Qualifications:

• Prior experience in automotive sales, vehicle appraisal, purchasing, and or dealership operations.
• Strong knowledge of automobiles, including vehicle condition, equipment, features, and market values.
• Strong negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to evaluate vehicles accurately and make sound purchasing recommendations.
• Ability to work indpendently while meeting acquisition and performance goals.
• Proficiency with dealership management software, appraisal tools, online vehicle marketplaces, and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.
• High school diploma or equivalent.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous experience in used vehicle acquisition, appraisal, used car management and vehicle market trends.
• Experience with CDK (Reynolds & Reynolds, or other dealership management systems).
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) is a plus.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to sit at a desk, stand, or walk for extended periods throughout the day.  
• Ability to enter and exit vehicles repeatedly during vehicle inspections and appraisals.
• Ability to driver dealership vehicles and acquired vehicles as needed.

Benefits:

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Company Sponsored Life Insurance
• Various Ancillary Benefits (disability, accident, hospital confinement, voluntary life, etc.)
• 401(k)/Retirement Plan
• Paid Time Off
• Employee Discounts on Goods and Services