Used Car Inventory Control Group Leader

Position Title: Used Car Inventory Control Group Leader Department:  Used Car Operations / Supply Chain Reports To:  Used Car Operations Manager, RSC Director, or Distribution Center Manager Location:  Regional Support Center (RSC) – California

Position Summary

The Used Car Inventory Control Group Leader is responsible for providing high-level oversight, operational guidance, and technical coordination for daily used car inventory control, asset tracking, and fulfillment activities at the California Regional Support Center (RSC).

This non-people-management role serves as the subject matter expert and operational anchor to ensure total inventory accuracy, material availability, and maximum asset protection across the lot. While this position does not have direct reports or personnel management responsibilities, it provides critical day-to-day work direction, quality oversight, and process leadership to inventory coordinators, cycle count personnel, and lot handlers.

The Used Car Inventory Control Group Leader partners closely with the Warehouse, Logistics Carriers, Asset Protection, Sales, and Lease Management teams to maintain physical and digital vehicle integrity, resolve complex inventory discrepancies, and ensure a retail-ready flow of used car inventory.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

- Operational Oversight: Oversee day-to-day inventory control operations, physical space planning, and tracking systems within the California RSC lot and facility.

- Vehicle Intake & System Integrity: Serve as the point of validation for physical check-in, digital logging, and systemic receiving of all inbound used vehicles into the ERP/WMS systems.

- Cycle Counting Coordination: Coordinate and schedule vehicle cycle counts, lot audits, and key tracking activities to monitor execution and maintain strict inventory accuracy goals.

- Discrepancy Investigation: Lead root cause investigations related to vehicle inventory inaccuracies, status errors, missing documentation, or physical vehicle losses.

- Variance Analysis: Audit and reconcile inventory variances, material transactions, gate logs, and systemic inventory adjustments across the yard.

- Lease Vehicle Control: Act as the lead operational liaison for incoming off-lease vehicles, ensuring proper system execution from intake through reconditioning tracking.

- Fulfillment & Outbound Logistics: Cross-functionally align with warehouse operations and logistics partners to provide guidance on accurately picking, staging, and dispatching retail and wholesale used car orders.

- Asset Protection Advocate: Develop, refine, and champion asset protection procedures, lot security protocols, and quality control standards to minimize inventory shrink and prevent vehicle damage.

- Physical Inventory Support: Coordinate site activities for annual physical inventory planning, execution, vehicle tagging, and financial reconciliation.

- Systems & Data Utilization: Leverage ERP, warehouse management systems (WMS), and automotive inventory platforms to monitor vehicle dwell time, track cycle metrics, and identify lot bottlenecks.

- Training & Technical Mentorship: Provide functional training and onboarding to team members on automotive handling safety, inventory systems, vehicle inspection protocols, and gate-release compliance.

- Operational Metrics Tracking: Monitor and report key inventory performance metrics, including Used Car Inventory Accuracy, Cycle Count Compliance, Status Adjustments, and Vehicle Turnaround Time.

- Continuous Improvement: Lead continuous improvement initiatives utilizing Lean methodologies to optimize lot flow and eliminate waste in vehicle processing.

- Compliance & Quality Assurance: Ensure operational adherence to all company safety standards, quality protocols, and California regional vehicle transport and DMV compliance regulations.

Oversight & Coordination Responsibilities (Non-People Management)

- Workflow Direction: Provide technical guidance, daily workflow prioritization, and functional direction to used car inventory control and lot personnel.

- Performance Monitoring: Track and monitor processing cycle times and inventory accuracy against established baseline goals, flagging bottlenecks for management.

- Workload Balancing: Assess lot capacity, staging flow, and carrier gate clearance efficiency, recommending tactical adjustments to optimize resources.

- Peer Mentorship: Mentor and coach team members on inventory best practices, systemic troubleshooting, and process compliance.

- Culture Champion: Promote an environment focused on accountability, safety-first operations, and continuous improvement without direct disciplinary or administrative authority.

Required Qualifications

- Associate degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Logistics, Automotive Management, or a related field; equivalent experience may be considered.

- Minimum 3–5 years of experience in automotive logistics, dealership used car operations, fleet management, or large-scale warehouse inventory control.

- Minimum 1–2 years of experience in a senior, lead, or coordinator role providing functional work direction within a warehouse, logistics, or automotive yard environment.

- High proficiency working within ERP, WMS, or specialized automotive inventory systems (e.g., vAuto, SAP, Oracle, DealerTrack, or equivalent).

- Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities with high attention to detail.

- Proficient with Microsoft Excel, Power BI, and inventory reporting tools.

- Strong understanding of vehicle logistics, transport carrier operations, and asset protection.

- Strong communication, cross-functional collaboration, and organizational skills.

Preferred Qualifications

- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, or Business Administration or acceptable combination of education and experience.

- APICS/ASCM certifications such as CPIM (Certified in Planning and Inventory Management) or CSCP (Certified Supply Chain Professional).

- Prior experience coordinating high-volume vehicle intake and lease return workflows at an automotive hub or RSC.

- Working knowledge of California DMV transport regulations and automotive compliance.

- Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or Continuous Improvement methodologies.

Physical Requirements

- Ability to stand, walk, and navigate large vehicle staging lots for extended periods in varying California weather conditions.

- Ability to lift up to 40 pounds periodically.

- Comfort working around moving vehicle traffic, car haulers, and material handling equipment.

- Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record to safely move or inspect inventory when required.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

- Used Car Inventory Accuracy Percentage

- Cycle Count Completion and Compliance Rate

- Inventory Status Adjustment / Shrink Reduction

- Vehicle Cycle Time (Intake to Sale-Ready)

- Order Fulfillment and Dispatch Accuracy

- Lease Return Turnaround Compliance

- Lot Capacity and Space Utilization

- Asset Protection & Incident Reduction (Zero-Damage Goals)

- Safety Metrics & Incidents

- Internal and External Customer Satisfaction