Learn About Cox Automotive Career Opportunities and Roles

Overview of Cox Automotive as an Employer

Cox Automotive is one of the largest automotive services companies in the United States. The company operates through several major brands including Manheim, AutoTrader, Kelley Blue Book, and Cox Automotive Financial Services. With headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, Cox Automotive employs tens of thousands of people across the country in roles ranging from entry-level positions to senior leadership.

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The company was founded by James M. Cox Jr. in 1917 and has grown significantly over the decades. Today, Cox Automotive serves millions of consumers and thousands of business clients annually. The organization handles vehicle auctions, online marketplaces, pricing information, and financial services related to automobiles. This scale means the company needs people with many different skill sets and backgrounds.

Cox Automotive operates in multiple business segments, each with its own staffing needs. Manheim, for example, runs vehicle auction facilities across North America and employs auctioneers, logistics specialists, customer service representatives, and facility managers. AutoTrader operates as an online marketplace and needs software engineers, marketing specialists, sales professionals, and content creators. Kelley Blue Book provides vehicle information and pricing data, requiring writers, analysts, and technology professionals.

The company's size and diverse business lines mean there are career paths for people with different backgrounds and interests. Someone interested in technology might work in software development, data analysis, or cybersecurity. Someone interested in sales and business development might work in account management or business strategy. Someone interested in operations might work in warehouse management, fleet operations, or supply chain coordination.

Practical Takeaway: Cox Automotive offers positions across many different departments and skill levels. Understanding which business segment aligns with your interests and skills will help you focus your search on roles where you might contribute effectively.

Common Job Categories and Roles

Cox Automotive hires for several broad categories of positions. Technology and IT roles represent a significant portion of the company's hiring because the business relies heavily on digital platforms and data systems. These positions include software developers, quality assurance testers, network administrators, database administrators, cybersecurity specialists, and IT support technicians. The company develops and maintains multiple websites, mobile applications, and internal systems that require skilled technical professionals.

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Sales and business development roles are another major category. These include account executives who work with dealers and business customers, inside sales representatives who handle phone and email inquiries, and business development managers who identify new market opportunities. These positions typically involve working with automotive dealerships, auctions, and other industry businesses to help them use Cox Automotive's services and products.

Operations and logistics positions keep the company running day-to-day. These include warehouse and facility operations staff who manage vehicle storage and movement at auction locations, customer service representatives who answer questions and resolve issues, human resources professionals, accounting and finance staff, and administrative personnel. These roles support the infrastructure that makes the entire business function.

Marketing and communications positions help promote Cox Automotive's various brands and services. These include digital marketing specialists, content writers, graphic designers, social media managers, and market research analysts. These professionals work to build brand awareness and communicate the value of the company's services to consumers and business customers.

Sales operations and support roles include sales coordinators, sales operations analysts, and customer success specialists. These professionals work alongside sales teams to ensure smooth operations, manage customer relationships, and help sales representatives be more effective in their work.

Practical Takeaway: Identifying which job category matches your skills and interests will help you understand what types of positions to look for. Cox Automotive's size means virtually every business function has dedicated staff, so roles exist for people with diverse professional backgrounds.

Qualifications and Skills That Cox Automotive Seeks

Different positions at Cox Automotive require different qualifications, but certain skills and characteristics appear across many roles. Communication skills are valued throughout the organization because much of the work involves interacting with customers, colleagues, or both. Whether you're writing code, managing a facility, or selling a service, the ability to communicate clearly matters significantly.

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Technical skills requirements vary by department. Software development positions require knowledge of specific programming languages such as Java, Python, C#, or JavaScript. Quality assurance positions require experience with testing methodologies and tools. Data analyst positions require skills in SQL, Excel, and data visualization tools. For non-technical roles, proficiency with standard office software and basic computer skills are typically expected.

Industry knowledge about automobiles, dealerships, and automotive services is helpful but not always required. Some candidates come from automotive backgrounds and bring valuable perspective about how dealerships and auctions operate. However, Cox Automotive also hires people from outside the automotive industry who bring fresh perspectives and learn the business once hired. The company generally values trainable intelligence and willingness to learn over requiring extensive prior industry experience.

Problem-solving abilities matter across roles. Whether facing a technical challenge, resolving a customer issue, or optimizing a business process, Cox Automotive values people who can analyze situations and develop practical solutions. This often means comfort with trying different approaches and learning from results.

Educational backgrounds vary. Some roles require specific degrees—software development positions often seek computer science degrees, for example—while other positions don't require specific educational credentials. Many positions value work experience and demonstrated skills more heavily than formal education. Some entry-level positions and training programs specifically recruit people early in their careers.

Customer service orientation matters even in roles that don't primarily serve external customers. Many internal positions benefit from people who understand that their work ultimately supports customers and the company's mission.

Practical Takeaway: When reviewing Cox Automotive job postings, carefully note the specific qualifications and skills listed. If you meet most requirements even if not all, it may be worth submitting materials anyway. Many employers view the posted requirements as goals rather than absolute barriers, particularly for candidates who demonstrate strong potential or transferable skills.

Geographic Locations and Remote Work Opportunities

Cox Automotive has physical locations throughout the United States. Manheim operates vehicle auction facilities in most major metropolitan areas and many smaller markets. These facilities are located wherever there is demand for vehicle auctions, meaning jobs exist in cities like Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles, Chicago, and numerous other locations. Working at an auction facility typically involves being on-site during business hours.

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The company's corporate headquarters and major offices are located in Atlanta, Georgia. Many finance, marketing, human resources, and business strategy positions are based at corporate offices. The Atlanta office is the largest single employment location for Cox Automotive.

AutoTrader has significant operations in multiple cities including Atlanta, Chicago, and others. Kelley Blue Book has offices in various locations including Georgia and California. Cox Automotive Financial Services operates from multiple locations as well. This geographic spread means people may have opportunities to work in their local area or relocate for positions in other markets.

Remote work opportunities have expanded, particularly for technology and certain business roles. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the company's adoption of remote work policies, and some positions remain remote or hybrid after the pandemic. However, not all roles can be performed remotely. Facility operations positions require on-site work, as do customer service roles that benefit from being co-located with teams. Technology roles and some business functions have more flexibility for remote arrangements.

The availability of remote positions varies over time and by department. When reviewing specific job postings, the remote work arrangement should be clearly noted. Some positions are fully remote, some are hybrid (combining remote and on-site days), and some require full-time on-site presence.

For people considering relocation, the company may offer relocation assistance for certain positions, particularly management roles and other positions where the company is actively recruiting. The terms and availability of such assistance should be discussed during the hiring process.

Practical Takeaway: Research the specific location of positions you're interested in and understand the remote work arrangement before applying. If you need flexibility or prefer working from home, filter your search to identify positions with remote or hybrid arrangements. If you're open to relocation, having a broader geographic search can reveal more opportunities.

Career Development and Advancement Paths

Cox Automotive recognizes that employee development and career growth matter for both retention and performance. The company offers various programs designed to help employees develop skills and advance their careers. These programs vary by department and level but generally include training opportunities, mentorship programs, and pathways for advancement.

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For technical professionals, the company often supports continued learning through access to training platforms, conference attendance, and certifications. Software developers may participate in internal training on new technologies or tools. Quality assurance professionals may pursue cert