John Jones Auto Group is seeking an experienced, analytical, and results-driven Group Buyer to oversee vehicle purchasing and inventory acquisition across our dealership group. This position is responsible for strategically sourcing vehicles that meet the needs of each location while maintaining the right balance of inventory, marketability, turn rate, and profitability.
The Group Buyer will work closely with General Managers, Used Car Managers, and senior leadership to evaluate inventory needs, analyze market data, identify purchasing opportunities, and ensure vehicles are acquired at the right price.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
- Purchase used vehicles for John Jones Auto Group through auctions, dealer trades, direct purchases, customer acquisitions, and other approved sources.
- Identify desirable vehicles based on current market demand, historical sales performance, inventory needs, and dealership objectives.
- Evaluate vehicles and determine appropriate purchase values using available market and valuation data.
- Negotiate purchases to maximize potential gross profit while maintaining competitive inventory.
- Develop and maintain relationships with auctions, wholesalers, dealers, and other vehicle sources.
- Identify additional acquisition channels and opportunities to strengthen inventory.
Inventory & Market Analysis
- Monitor inventory levels across all John Jones Auto Group locations.
- Analyze vehicle age, turn rate, pricing, market demand, and sales trends.
- Identify inventory shortages, overstocked categories, and aging units.
- Use dealership technology, market data, and AI-supported analytics to assist with purchasing and inventory decisions.
- Evaluate local and regional market trends to determine which vehicles are most likely to sell successfully.
- Recommend inventory adjustments based on changing market conditions.
- Assist leadership in establishing appropriate inventory levels and vehicle mix for each dealership.
Qualifications
- Previous automotive dealership experience strongly preferred.
- Previous experience in vehicle purchasing, used vehicle management, inventory management, or automotive wholesale preferred.
- Strong understanding of used vehicle values and automotive market trends.
- Ability to analyze market and inventory data and translate information into purchasing decisions.
- Strong negotiation and decision-making skills.
- Comfortable utilizing technology, analytics platforms, and AI-assisted tools.
- Strong organizational and communication skills.
- Ability to work independently while collaborating with managers across multiple dealership locations.
- Ability to make timely purchasing decisions in a fast-moving environment.
- Valid driver's license and acceptable driving record required.
Key Performance Indicators
- Inventory turn and days' supply
- Average age of inventory
- Gross profit performance of purchased vehicles
- Purchase-to-retail market position
- Days-to-sale of acquired vehicles
- Inventory mix and availability
- Acquisition volume and cost
- Overall return on purchased inventory
- Reduction of aged and undesirable inventory
Position Expectations
The Group Buyer is expected to take a data-driven approach to vehicle acquisition, balancing inventory volume with profitability and market demand. Success in this position requires more than simply purchasing vehicles—the Group Buyer must understand what to buy, when to buy it, where it should be placed, and what John Jones Auto Group can realistically retail it for.
This position plays a key role in ensuring each John Jones Auto Group location has the right inventory to maximize sales opportunities, inventory turn, and profitability.