The posting
Vehicle Buying Center Agent
Location: Oakes KIA | Olathe, KS Schedule: Full-Time | Monday - Friday with rotating Saturday Compensation: $2,500 - $10,000 | Performance Based
About the Role
The Vehicle Buying Center Agent is responsible for sourcing and purchasing quality pre-owned vehicles directly from customers and private-party sellers to support Oakes Auto Group’s inventory needs. This position manages incoming purchase opportunities, actively searches for additional vehicles in the marketplace, and owns the acquisition process from initial contact through completed paperwork and pickup.
Oakes Auto Group is a family-owned and locally operated automotive group serving the Kansas City area. Since 2010, we have continued to grow by investing in our people, creating opportunities for advancement, and building teams focused on doing right by our customers and one another.
Pay & Benefits
- Competitive compensation based on experience
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) with company match
- Paid time off and paid holidays
- Employee discounts
- Tuition reimbursement
- Career growth opportunities across multiple locations
- Training and professional development
- Community involvement and volunteer opportunities
What You’ll Do
- Source and purchase vehicles directly from customers looking to sell their vehicle outside of a trade-in transaction.
- Build rapport with customers, present accurate offers, negotiate purchase terms, and close acquisitions that align with current inventory needs.
- Respond to and manage inbound purchase request leads from AccuTrade and other digital purchase channels with urgency and consistent follow-up.
- Proactively source vehicles through Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, private-party listings, and other public marketplaces.
- Evaluate potential purchases based on vehicle condition, ACV, market position, current inventory, and overall acquisition strategy.
- Coordinate vehicle pickup, transportation, titles, bills of sale, condition documentation, and other required purchase paperwork.
- Ensure acquired vehicles and supporting documentation are properly prepared before being transferred into inventory.
- Maintain accurate records of leads, offers, follow-up activity, and completed purchases.
- Stay closely aligned with the Trade Control Desk Manager regarding inventory needs, sales trends, market opportunities, and acquisition priorities.
- Proactively communicate sourcing opportunities, market changes, and challenges that could impact inventory acquisition.
What We’re Looking For
We’re looking for someone who is comfortable communicating with customers, negotiating purchases, and actively searching for new inventory opportunities. Automotive sales, vehicle acquisition, appraisal, used-car, or inventory experience is preferred, but strong sales and customer service experience may also translate well into this position.
This role requires someone who can balance customer communication, consistent follow-up, independent sourcing, and detailed administrative work while keeping the overall inventory strategy in mind.
What Makes You a Good Fit
You may be a great fit for this role if you:
- Enjoy finding opportunities and are comfortable taking initiative
- Build rapport quickly and communicate confidently with customers
- Are comfortable negotiating and asking for the business
- Follow up consistently and keep opportunities from falling through the cracks
- Are organized and detail-oriented with paperwork and documentation
- Can manage multiple customers, leads, and purchases at the same time
- Work well independently while staying aligned with your manager and team
- Have an interest in vehicles, automotive markets, or inventory management
Requirements
- Valid driver’s license with a clean or acceptable driving record
- Ability to successfully complete a standard background check
- Reliable attendance and strong work ethic
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, customer-focused environment
- Basic computer skills and willingness to learn new systems
- Strong communication, negotiation, and follow-up skills
- Ability to manage multiple leads and transactions simultaneously
- Automotive sales, vehicle purchasing, appraisal, or used-car experience preferred
- Familiarity with vehicle values and used-vehicle market pricing preferred
- Ability to communicate with customers and private sellers by phone, text, email, and online marketplaces
- Ability to travel locally as needed for vehicle pickups or other acquisition-related activities
Why Oakes Auto Group?
Oakes Auto Group is a locally owned and growing dealership group with locations throughout the Kansas City metro. We believe great customer experiences start with great employees, which is why we focus heavily on training, development, internal promotion, and creating opportunities for our team members to build long-term careers.
Our culture is built around teamwork, accountability, open communication, and recognizing the people who help our organization succeed. We are also proud to stay involved in the communities we serve through local partnerships, charitable initiatives, volunteer opportunities, and community events.
If you’re looking for a place where you can grow, contribute, and be part of a team that values its people, we’d love to hear from you.
Oakes Auto Group is an equal opportunity employer. We prohibit discrimination and harassment based on race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
