Inventory and vehicle acquisition positions
6 positions, each with what the role does, when a store needs it, what it pays and one flat fee per hire.
Used vehicle profit is made when the car is bought. These roles source the right inventory at the right cost, keep it moving through reconditioning and online merchandising, and clear aged units before they cost more than they earn.
How to pick the right level
- A sales coordinator or dealer trade coordinator takes paperwork and logistics off the sales managers.
- A used vehicle buyer pays off once the used manager cannot keep up with auctions, trades and public buys.
- Inventory and wholesale managers fit large stores that manage aging and pricing tools daily.
- A vehicle acquisition manager runs buying for several rooftops at once.
Every level, what it pays and the fee
Sales Coordinator
$1,500 per hireKeeps deal jackets, rebates, we-owes and sales reports in order behind the scenes.
When a store needs it: Mid-size stores and up. Pay: $35,120 to $48,990 a year.
Dealer Trade Coordinator
$1,500 per hireArranges dealer trades and inbound transport so sold vehicles arrive on time.
When a store needs it: Large stores. Pay: $37,020 to $57,130 a year.
Used Vehicle Buyer
$3,500 per hireBuys used vehicles at auction, online and from the public to keep pre-owned stocked at the right cost.
When a store needs it: Mid-size stores and up. Pay: $48,190 to $87,790 a year.
Inventory Manager
$5,500 per hireManages the vehicle mix, aging, pricing tools and online listings so the right cars are on the lot.
When a store needs it: Large stores. Pay: $61,110 to $133,080 a year.
Wholesale Manager
$5,500 per hireDisposes of aged and off-brand units to wholesalers and auctions while protecting gross.
When a store needs it: Large stores. Pay: $64,580 to $138,970 a year.
Vehicle Acquisition Manager
$7,500 per hireRuns a group's buying operation: trade-in programs, direct-from-consumer buys and auction strategy.
When a store needs it: Dealer groups. Pay: $103,960 to $156,660 a year.
About store size and pay
Store size guidance reflects how dealerships typically staff as they grow, drawn from our 25 years inside dealerships and recruiting for them since 2012. Every store is different, so we confirm the right level on your intake call.
- Every store: Any franchised or independent dealership
- Mid-size stores: About 100 or more new and used retail units a month, or 50 or more employees
- Large stores: About 250 or more units a month, or 150 or more employees
- Dealer groups: About 3 to 10 rooftops
- Large dealer groups: 10 or more rooftops
- Stores with a body shop, stores with in-house financing and specialty dealers: roles that depend on the business, not its size
Pay bands are what people in each role earn at automobile dealers, from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025), including commissions and bonuses. Most bands run from the 25th to the 75th percentile; senior levels use the upper range of the same occupation. A band marked * uses all-industry figures because BLS does not report that role for auto dealers.
Related positions
Sales floor positions · Sales management positions · Fleet and commercial sales positions · Specialty dealer sales positions