Job Description — Vehicle Purchasing Specialist
Employer: Speedhouse Ltd
Location: Lancashire / Hybrid (field & office)
Reports to: Director
Type: Full-time, Permanent
Remuneration: Competitive package, OTE £70,000+ (uncapped commissions)
About Speedhouse
Speedhouse is a fast-growing UK dealership specialising in Premium, Luxury, Prestige, Performance and Commercial vehicles. We acquire the highest-quality stock, prep to exacting standards, and retail with pace and discipline.
Role Purpose
Own the sourcing, appraisal, negotiation and acquisition of vehicles into stock, delivering strong and reliable front-end gross margins while protecting risk and days-to-sale.
Key Responsibilities

SOURCING & PIPELINE

• Proactively build a deal pipeline with a focus on private sellers. Trade contacts and auctions also monitored.
• Run targeted outreach/wanted ads; nurture repeat suppliers and off-market routes.
• Strong on-camera presence with social video fluency; confident creating short-form ‘we are looking for stock’ videos and being the face of Speedhouse Purchasing.”
• Appraisal & Valuation
• Perform on-site and remote appraisals; identify mechanical/bodywork risks and hidden costs.
• Use live market data (e.g., Auto Trader, CAP, HPI) to set sharp offers that hit ROI targets.
• Negotiation & Acquisition
• Negotiate and secure vehicles that meet margin, prep budget and stock-turn goals.
• Agree hold deposits, manage outstanding finance settlements, and close deals cleanly.
• Compliance & Paperwork
• Complete AML/KYC, HPI, ownership/title checks, invoicing (including VAT/Margin Scheme).
• Ensure accurate documentation packs (invoices, V5, proofs, receipts) and data hygiene.
• Logistics & Handover
• Arrange transport/collection, book and control recon within signed budgets/SLA.
• Work with prep and advertising roles to get cars photographed and live quickly.
• Collaboration & Reporting
• Communicate with sales, prep and management on pricing, merchandising and demand.
• Maintain records of offers, wins/losses, costs and achieved gross profit.
• Maintain live pricing on advertised stock vehicles

Skills & Experience

• Proven track record purchasing vehicles with strong, reliable gross margins (references or deal examples required)
• Deep market knowledge across Premium/Luxury/Performance and Commercial segments
• Strong sourcing initiative and network; disciplined strategy
• Excellent negotiation, objection handling and close rate
• High appraisal accuracy (paint, structure, mechanical; warranty/recall awareness)
• Professional documentation and compliance standards (AML, GDPR)

Tools & Systems

• HPI, CAP, Auto Trader (and similar market tools)
• Auction platforms (e.g., MW, CW, BCA)
• CRM/spreadsheet competence; digital document handling

Qualifications & Requirements

• Full, clean UK driving licence
• Minimum of 5 years experience within the automotive industry in sales or purchasing roles.
• Comfortable travelling for inspections/collections; occasional evenings/weekends/bank holidays as required
• References to verify purchase volumes and margin performance

Working Pattern & Benefits

• Hybrid & flexible hours with field autonomy
• Business use of demo vehicles (policy applies) and mileage/fuel for business travel
• 20 days holiday + bank holidays, pension
• Company phone/laptop, paid access to valuation/auction tools
• Supportive, performance-oriented team with progression opportunities

Probation & Notices

• Probation: 6 months (with structured support and KPI targets)
• Notice periods per contract; commission/bonus plan and quality gates documented in a schedule

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £26,000.00-£100,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Flexitime
• On-site parking
• Work from home

Application question(s):

• Have you worked for an Automotive retail business in sales or purchasing within the last 2 months?
• How many years experience have you had in a professional vehicle purchasing role?
• Are you currently in a professional vehicle purchasing role?
• What purchasing margin targets are you used to working towards?

• I have 3 vehicles I’m looking to sell - the details are as follows…. what price would you expect to offer me if you were in a purchasing role?

• 2025/25 Land Rover Defender Hard Top - X-Dynamic HSE

• Reg - C111EWS
• Miles - 7500
• Full Service History / Perfect Condition / Rear Seat Conversion fitted
• 2022/72 Porsche 911 992 Carrera GTS
• Reg - P9APG
• Miles - 10600
• reasonable condition, tyres required, FSH, £14k spec
• 2020/20 BMW M2 Competition
• Miles 17,950

Please refer the Job description for details