Automotive Inventory Assistant

Patterson Mission Viejo Kia; Tustin (CA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Tustin Kia is seeking a full-time Inventory Assistant to maintain accurate vehicle inventories and coordinate movement between the dealership and offsite lots. You will verify locations, assist with dealer trades, and ensure records align with physical stock across multiple sites.

Ideal candidates have dealership experience, strong organizational and communication skills, and a valid CA driver’s license. The role involves fast-paced operations with cross-department coordination.

Qualifications

• Prior automotive dealership, inventory, or dealer trade experience preferred.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Basic computer skills and ability to learn dealership systems.
• Ability to manage multiple vehicles and locations efficiently.
• Strong communication and coordination skills.
• Valid California driver’s license and acceptable driving record.
• Dependable, organized, and comfortable driving between locations.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced dealership environment.

Responsibilities

• Assist with maintaining accurate new and used vehicle inventory.
• Manage and monitor inventory located at our offsite lots.
• Regularly verify vehicle locations and make sure inventory records match the physical location of each vehicle.
• Coordinate movement of vehicles between the dealership and our offsite storage lots.
• Assist with dealer trades, including preparing vehicles, coordinating pickups and deliveries, and verifying all vehicle information.
• Verify VINs, stock numbers, mileage, keys, and vehicle condition before and after dealer trades.
• Assist with receiving incoming vehicles and making sure they are properly stocked into our systems.
• Monitor vehicles going through PDI, detail, and frontline preparation.
• Help ensure vehicles are properly parked, organized, and easy to locate at both the dealership and offsite lots.
• Maintain accurate key inventory and vehicle location records.
• Conduct regular inventory audits and immediately report any discrepancies.
• Coordinate with Sales Managers, Service, Detail, Lot Porters, and other departments regarding vehicle status and location.
• Make sure sold, dealer-traded, transferred, or relocated vehicles are updated promptly in the inventory system.
• Assist with window stickers, stock tags, dealer plates, and other inventory-related documentation.
• Help ensure vehicles needed for appointments or deliveries are brought from offsite lots to the dealership on time.
• Perform other inventory and dealership-related duties as assigned by management.

Skills

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Basic computer skills

Communication skills

Coordination skills

Driver's license (CA)

Ability to drive between locations

Tools

Dealership systems

Job description

Tustin Kia is looking to hire a full-time Inventory Assistant.

Position:

Inventory Assistant

Pay:

$18–$22 per hour, depending on experience

Schedule:

Full-Time

Job Responsibilities

• Assist with maintaining accurate new and used vehicle inventory.
• Manage and monitor inventory located at our offsite lots.
• Regularly verify vehicle locations and make sure inventory records match the physical location of each vehicle.
• Coordinate movement of vehicles between the dealership and our offsite storage lots.
• Assist with dealer trades, including preparing vehicles, coordinating pickups and deliveries, and verifying all vehicle information.
• Verify VINs, stock numbers, mileage, keys, and vehicle condition before and after dealer trades.
• Assist with receiving incoming vehicles and making sure they are properly stocked into our systems.
• Monitor vehicles going through PDI, detail, and frontline preparation.
• Help ensure vehicles are properly parked, organized, and easy to locate at both the dealership and offsite lots.
• Maintain accurate key inventory and vehicle location records.
• Conduct regular inventory audits and immediately report any discrepancies.
• Coordinate with Sales Managers, Service, Detail, Lot Porters, and other departments regarding vehicle status and location.
• Make sure sold, dealer-traded, transferred, or relocated vehicles are updated promptly in the inventory system.
• Assist with window stickers, stock tags, dealer plates, and other inventory-related documentation.
• Help ensure vehicles needed for appointments or deliveries are brought from offsite lots to the dealership on time.
• Perform other inventory and dealership-related duties as assigned by management.

Qualifications

• Previous automotive dealership, inventory, or dealer trade experience is preferred.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Basic computer skills and ability to learn dealership systems.
• Ability to manage multiple vehicles and locations efficiently.
• Strong communication and coordination skills.
• Valid California driver’s license and acceptable driving record.
• Dependable, organized, and comfortable driving vehicles between dealership and offsite locations.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced dealership environment.

The parts Inventory Assistant Position has a Pay Scale consisting of the following elements and ranges. Wages include Base Hourly Compensation of between $18.00 and $22.00. The position also may also pay a production bonus based on individual or team performance that may range from $0.00 (if baseline benchmarks are not met) without any fixed upper limit.