Job Description

The Buying Center Manager is a strategic position responsible for leading the vehicle acquisition and wholesale strategy for Cooper Auto Group. The Buying Center Manager ensures a consistent supply of appropriate pre-owned vehicles to meet the Group’s sales and profitability objectives. This role is responsible for leading the Buying Center team, managing appraisal and acquisition strategies, optimizing used vehicle inventory levels, and developing processes that strengthen the Group’s ability to convert wholesale to retail opportunities and to source quality vehicles directly from consumer clients and auctions. The Buying Center Manager collaborates closely with dealership leadership, used car directors, and executive leadership to support profitability and ensure consistent performance across all locations. Success is achieved through strong leadership, data-driven decision making, and market expertise.

DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Key Performance Indicators include but not limited to: Inventory acquisition volume, gross profit per vehicle, days to turn, reconditioning cost, inventory optimization.
• Develop and execute a comprehensive vehicle buying strategy aligned with group sales goals.
• Source vehicles through auctions, direct-to-consumer purchases, trade-ins, wholesalers, and digital platforms.
• Monitor local and national market trends to identify profitable buying opportunities.
• Maintain optimal inventory mix (make, model, price range, turn rate).
• Track and analyze metrics such as acquisition cost, front-end gross, days-to-turn, and ROI.
• Manage buying center budget and expense controls.
• Collaborate with General Managers and Used Car Managers to align inventory with sales needs.
• Provide regular reporting to executive leadership on acquisition performance.
• Lead and supervise all Buying Center staff including hiring, performance management, coaching, and scheduling.
• Oversee daily appraisal activities, ensuring evaluations are accurate, competitive, and aligned with Cooper Auto Group standards.
• Visit dealership locations as needed and communicate on a regular basis with individual dealership management team to identify challenges, inventory gaps, consumer trends, and other applicable opportunities.
• Understand needs of the entire Group and tailor acquisition goals accordingly.
• Monitor key performance metrics and provide regular reporting to executive leadership.
• Analyze market trends, auction data, and pricing guides to maintain competitive offers.
• Develop and implement acquisition strategies to increase vehicles purchased from general public.
• Develop strategies to maximize wholesale profit and to convert wholesale to retail vehicles.

Qualifications

• Five + years of management experience in automotive retail sales and used vehicle acquisition.
• Expertise in wholesale markets, auctions, and digital buying platforms.
• Experience managing multi rooftop acquisition strategies is a must.
• Established relationships with auction representatives and wholesalers.
• Strong knowledge of vehicle appraisal methods and market valuation tools.
• Experience with CDK, VinSolutions, VAuto or similar CRM / Inventory systems.

Additional Information

Benefits for full time employees include but are not limited to: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life and AD&D, Disability, EAP, 401(k), PTO, Paid Vacation, Paid Holidays, Employee Discounts

_ Cooper Auto Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, or veteran status._