Automotive Buying Associate

Dan Cummins of Georgetown; Georgetown (KY); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employer-contributed healthcare plan

401(k) with company match

Paid holidays

Paid vacation time

5-day work week

Comprehensive training and development

Supportive team environment

Growth opportunities

Job summary

Dan Cummins Auto Group in Georgetown, KY is seeking an Automotive Buyer to source quality pre-owned vehicles directly from private-party sellers. The role focuses on expanding acquisition channels beyond trade-ins, auctions, and rentals, using online marketplaces and social platforms to identify opportunities.

The ideal candidate is a self-starter with strong negotiation and relationship-building skills, knowledgeable about used vehicles and market values, and capable of coordinating inspections

Qualifications

• Experience in automotive purchasing or used vehicles.
• Strong negotiation and closing skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication.
• Ability to build trust quickly with consumers.

Responsibilities

• Proactively identify and source vehicles from private-party consumers.
• Utilize platforms such as Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, Autotrader, CarGurus and other online resources to locate inventory.
• Initiate contact with vehicle owners via phone, text, email or online messaging.
• Build rapport and represent the dealership professionally to sellers.
• Determine seller motivation, timeline, expectations, and willingness to sell.
• Negotiate purchase prices and terms while protecting profitability.
• Coordinate inspections, appraisals, test drives, and purchase appointments.
• Verify ownership, title documents, VIN information, and other paperwork.
• Complete all purchase documentation per dealership policies and regulations.
• Maintain records of leads, contacts, negotiations, purchases, and opportunities.
• Meet or exceed activity, acquisition, gross-profit, and inventory sourcing targets.

Skills

Negotiation

Sourcing

Communication

Relationship building

Automotive knowledge

Tools

Online marketplaces

Job description

Dan Cummins Auto Group is seeking a highly motivated, automotive-minded Automotive Buyer to join the Used Vehicle Operations team at our Georgetown, KY campus.

The Automotive Buyer is responsible for proactively sourcing and purchasing quality pre‑owned vehicles directly from private‑party consumers. This position is focused on expanding the dealership's used vehicle acquisition strategy beyond traditional trade‑ins, auctions, and rental acquisition channels.

The ideal candidate is a self‑starter, strong negotiator, relationship builder, and automotive enthusiast who understands the used vehicle market and knows how to identify opportunities where the dealership can purchase vehicles directly from consumers.

This position will actively utilize online marketplaces, social media, public forums, classified websites, automotive communities, and other third‑party resources to identify consumers who may be interested in selling their vehicles.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Proactively identify and source vehicles available for purchase from private‑party consumers.
• Utilize platforms such as Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, Autotrader, CarGurus, social media, automotive forums, classified sites, and other public online resources to locate potential inventory.
• Initiate contact with vehicle owners through phone calls, text messages, email, and online messaging.
• Build rapport and establish trust with private sellers while representing Dan Cummins Auto Group professionally.
• Determine the seller’s motivation, timeline, expectations, and willingness to sell.
• Negotiate purchase prices and terms with private‑party sellers while protecting dealership profitability.
• Coordinate vehicle inspections, appraisals, test drives, and purchase appointments.
• Verify vehicle ownership, title documentation, VIN information, and other required paperwork before completing a purchase.
• Complete all purchase documentation accurately and according to dealership policies and applicable regulations.
• Maintain accurate records of all acquisition leads, contacts, negotiations, purchases, and opportunities.
• Meet or exceed established activity, acquisition, gross‑profit, and inventory sourcing objectives.
• Perform other duties as assigned by management.

What We're Looking For:

The successful candidate will be someone who enjoys finding cars, talking to people, negotiating deals, and creating opportunities.

Ideal candidates will possess:

• Previous automotive sales, purchasing, appraisal, BDC, or used vehicle experience preferred.
• Strong knowledge of used vehicles, including makes, models, trims, equipment, and market values.
• Strong negotiation and closing skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to build trust and establish relationships quickly with consumers.
• Professional appearance and demeanor.
• Valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record.

The Automotive Buyer will play a key role in expanding the Dan Cummins of Georgetown campus’s ability to source vehicles from the local community and surrounding markets.

Why Join Our Team:

When you join Dan Cummins Auto Group, you’ll enjoy:

• Employer-contributed healthcare plan
• 401(k) with company match and immediate vesting
• Paid holidays
• Paid vacation time
• 5-day work week
• Comprehensive training and ongoing development
• A supportive team environment with opportunities to grow
• Bring your ambition. We'll provide the opportunity.