Regional Pre-Owned Manager

ZT Automotive Group operates a growing portfolio of dealerships across Texas, Florida, Alabama, and Georgia, representing domestic, import, and luxury franchises. The organization is built on integrity, transparency, and consistency, and invests in technology and process to stay ahead of industry trends. We are building a corporate Variable Operations team to support our dealerships.

About the role

The Regional Pre-Owned Manager is a full-time role based in Houston, TX, responsible for pre-owned vehicle operations across ZT Automotive Group markets. This role manages inventory strategy—including acquisition, pricing, merchandising, and aging—to optimize profitability and turnover, and owns appraisal discipline and wholesale exposure at the group level.

ZT Automotive Group operates under a retail-first inventory philosophy: every unit capable of passing a safety inspection is retailed, and no appraisal is designated for wholesale disposition prior to service evaluation. The person in this role is responsible for upholding that standard at the store level.

Daily responsibilities include:

• Reviewing market and aging data
• Guiding appraisal and trade-in practices through the group appraiser scoring process and bid desk procedure
• Improving acquisition performance across trade capture, service drive acquisition, and off-street purchasing
• Directing corrective action on aged and at-risk units
• Reviewing wholesale disposition activity for consistency with group policy
• Supporting merchandising and marketing initiatives for pre-owned inventory

The role maintains a consistent weekly cadence with used vehicle managers, supported by written follow-up, and manages relationships with auction partners, inventory management vendors, and acquisition service providers.

This position partners with the Corporate Manager of New Vehicle Operations on trade capture, with the Regional Director of F&I and Lender Relations on deal structure and approvals, with the Regional Fixed Operations Directors on reconditioning and PDI turnaround, and with the Corporate Trainer on store-level training and development. The role has no direct reports and works through General Managers, Market Directors, and used vehicle management.

Responsibilities

• Optimize pre-owned inventory strategy, including acquisition, pricing, merchandising, and aging to maximize profitability and turnover
• Uphold retail-first inventory philosophy across all dealerships
• Guide appraisal and trade-in practices using group appraiser scoring and bid desk procedures
• Improve acquisition performance through trade capture, service drive, and off-street purchasing
• Direct corrective action on aged and at-risk inventory units
• Review wholesale disposition activity for policy compliance
• Support merchandising and marketing initiatives for pre-owned vehicles
• Maintain weekly communication with used vehicle managers and provide written follow-up
• Manage relationships with auction partners, inventory vendors, and acquisition service providers
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams on trade capture, deal structure, reconditioning, and training

Requirements

• Experience in pre-owned or used car operations, including inventory management, pricing, and wholesale/retail strategies
• Working knowledge of appraisal practices, acquisition sourcing, and reconditioning workflow
• Proficiency in analyzing market data, sales reports, and performance metrics for data-driven decisions
• Ability to coach, influence, and build collaborative relationships across multiple locations without direct authority
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for professional representation with partners
• Proven organizational and time-management abilities to handle regional responsibilities
• Comfort with dealership management systems, CRM tools, inventory platforms, and digital merchandising
• Multi-store or regional automotive experience preferred; strong store-level used vehicle leaders will be considered
• Ownership mentality and ability to build trust with experienced operators
• Based in Houston, Texas; candidates must live in or be willing to relocate to the area
• Willingness to travel 50% to 65% to dealership locations, including air travel to markets outside Texas
• High school diploma or equivalent required; post-secondary education in business or related field is beneficial
• Valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Paid time off
• Employee vehicle purchase program

Compensation includes a base salary plus bonuses tied to department and group performance. Specific plan details are reviewed during the interview process.

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a pre-employment background check, motor vehicle record review, and drug screening.