Acquisition Specialist Jobs in California
Acquisition Specialist jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in defense contracting, state and local government procurement, and technology supply chain across the Los Angeles Basin, the San Francisco Bay Area, and the Sacramento metropolitan area. Major employers with a lasting presence in California who hire acquisition specialists include Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and the State of California Department of General Services. The most in-demand specialties are contract administration, federal procurement compliance, and IT acquisition. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Vehicle Acquisition Specialist
Dealership: Stevens Creek Nissan Infiniti
Company: Bakhtiari Auto Group
Location: Santa Clara, California
Employment Type: Full-Time
Compensation
Base Pay: $19 per hour
Commission: $200 to $300 per vehicle acquired
Expected commission based on historical performance = $0 -$15,000 per month
Position Summary
Stevens Creek Nissan INFINITI, part of Bakhtiari Auto Group, is seeking a motivated Vehicle Acquisition Specialist to help grow our pre-owned vehicle inventory. This position is similar to a Used Car Buyer and focuses on identifying, evaluating, negotiating, and purchasing quality pre-owned vehicles directly from private owners and other approved sources.
The Vehicle Acquisition Specialist will provide customers with a professional, transparent, and convenient way to sell their vehicles, whether or not they are purchasing another vehicle from our dealership.
Responsibilities
- Identify and acquire pre-owned vehicles that meet the dealership’s inventory needs
- Contact customers who have requested a vehicle valuation or expressed interest in selling or trading a vehicle
- Generate acquisition opportunities through internet leads, service customers, lease maturities, dealership records, referrals, and other approved sources
- Inspect and appraise vehicles based on condition, mileage, history, market demand, and anticipated reconditioning costs
- Use current market data and vehicle-valuation tools to develop competitive purchase offers
- Present and negotiate vehicle purchase offers with customers
- Clearly explain the appraisal, payoff, title-transfer, and vehicle-purchase processes
- Collect and verify required ownership, registration, payoff, and title documentation
- Coordinate with lenders, the DMV, and dealership departments regarding outstanding loans and title matters
- Maintain accurate customer information, appraisal records, and follow-up notes in the dealership’s CRM
- Follow up consistently with prospective sellers
- Monitor acquisition results and work toward established performance goals
- Assist with vehicle inspections, test drives, transportation, and other inventory-related driving
- Follow company procedures and applicable laws and regulations
- Perform other job-related duties as assigned
Qualifications
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Strong communication, negotiation, organizational, and customer-service skills
- Ability to communicate professionally by telephone, email, text message, and in person
- Ability to inspect vehicles and recognize factors that may affect their value
- Ability to learn vehicle-appraisal systems, market-pricing tools, and dealership software
- Ability to maintain accurate records and consistently follow up with customers
- Valid driver’s license and sales license required because the position regularly involves inspecting, test-driving, and transporting vehicles
- Availability to work dealership hours, including weekends as needed
Preferred Qualifications
- Previous experience in automotive sales, vehicle acquisition, appraisal, wholesale operations, or used-car purchasing
- Familiarity with dealership CRM, inventory-management, and vehicle-valuation systems
- Knowledge of California vehicle titles, registrations, loan payoffs, and ownership transfers
Join us as a Used Vehicle Acquisition Specialist and become a key driver in shaping our vehicle inventory strategy! Your expertise will help us deliver exceptional value to our customers while advancing your career in a vibrant, innovative environment dedicated to growth and success.
How to Apply
Submit your résumé or application to reza@bag5.com
Pay: $19.00 per hour
Expected hours: 40.0 per week
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
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Find Acquisition Specialist JobsAcquisition Specialist Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Acquisition Specialist Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- State Farm14
- AutoNation10
- KBR4
- T&T Supermarket4
- SAIC2
Top Industries Hiring
- Retail
- Science & Research
- Insurance
- Manufacturing
- Technology & Software
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in acquisition specialist jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in business administration, supply chain, public administration, or a related field
- Federal Acquisition Regulation or state procurement code knowledge preferred by California employers
- Certified Federal Contracts Manager or Certified Professional Contracts Manager credential strongly preferred
- Three or more years of experience in contract administration, procurement, or source selection
- Proficiency with procurement systems such as SAP Ariba, Deltek, or California state eProcurement platforms
- Strong written communication skills for drafting solicitations, contract modifications, and compliance reports
Acquisition Specialist Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become an acquisition specialist in California?
The most direct path is earning a bachelor's degree in business, public administration, or supply chain management and then pursuing a recognized contracting credential. California does not issue a state-specific procurement license for private-sector roles, but positions with the State of California require eligibility through the California Department of Human Resources civil service examination process. Federal contracting roles on California military installations or with defense contractors typically require DAWIA or FAC-C certification aligned with the Federal Acquisition Regulation.
Which companies hire acquisition specialists in California?
Employers hiring acquisition specialists in California right now include State Farm, AutoNation, and KBR, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. California's large defense industrial base, combined with its active state and county government procurement offices, makes it one of the most consistent markets for acquisition and contracting professionals across both public and private sectors.
Which California cities have the most acquisition specialist jobs?
The cities with the most acquisition specialist openings in California are El Segundo, San Jose, and Fremont. Los Angeles and its surrounding communities anchor demand through the region's dense defense contractor presence, while Sacramento drives public-sector volume as the state capital, and the Bay Area generates openings through technology procurement and large federal agency field offices throughout the region.
Are there remote acquisition specialist jobs in California?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 35% of acquisition specialist openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting the desk-based and analytical nature of much of the work. Contract administration, price analysis, and vendor evaluation tasks are frequently performed off-site, though roles involving source selection panels or handling classified materials typically require in-person attendance.
How can I get hired as an acquisition specialist in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a contract specialist trainee or purchasing assistant role with a California county agency, a University of California campus procurement department, or a large defense contractor running a rotational development program. The State of California also posts entry-level associate governmental program analyst positions that route new hires into procurement divisions. Earning a Certified Purchasing Professional credential and demonstrating familiarity with the California Uniform Public Construction Cost Accounting Act can separate a candidate who lacks direct experience from the rest of the applicant pool.
Where can I find and apply to acquisition specialist jobs in California?
You can find and apply to acquisition specialist jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings updated regularly. Find roles that match your background and apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 100 Acquisition Specialist Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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