Auto Remarketing is recognizing the 2023 Women in Remarketing honorees in the April edition of the magazine and will be posting Q&As with each of these outstanding leaders on the website.

Next up is Jennifer Davis-Fink, who is senior vice president of IT portfolio management at Kinetic Advantage.

What is the top trend you’re watching in remarketing/wholesale automotive this year?

Digital sales and marketing continues to be a top trend. At Kinetic Advantage, we are focused on this this technology as it impacts the independent dealer. With inventory still constricted, more dealers are sourcing vehicles utilizing digital platforms, expanding their search beyond their traditional markets.

These dealers expect a higher level of quality and service from the digital marketplace with more functionality and intuitive interfaces. In addition, with more dealers using their cell phones to conduct business than ever before, these systems must be adaptive and responsive, requiring a shift in how the industry meets their needs.

What do you enjoy the most about the remarketing business, and what would you change?

Hands down, it’s the people and the relationships I’ve built in the industry. I’ve had the good fortune to work with, and learn from, so many talented individuals over the years. At Kinetic Advantage, I have an awesome software development team and every team member contributes something special.

There’s a real sense of working towards a common goal with a like mindset that makes for a productive working environment. Finally, I love the fact that providing quality customer service is prioritized in our company culture — it’s all about the people.

What would I change? I’d like to see more women in the industry. While this is still a male-dominated industry, things are gradually evolving. I am very proud to work for a company led by a female CIO and I have had the good fortune to know many women who have excelled and made a positive impact as leaders
throughout our industry.

What piece of career advice would you have for someone new to the industry?

Talk to the people who are already in the industry. While some say that floorplanning is just a form of lending, others realize that there are some very special nuances that make it different. When I first started my career in the industry, I had never seen a vehicle title!

I had a great opportunity to learn from others with industry knowledge and have continued to do so. Most people are willing to share what they know and that’s a good source of information. Ask questions and focus not just on getting an answer but also exploring the “whys.”

Seek to understand rather than only know, and in the process, you’ll build relationships with those you can support and who will support you.

Describe a time you were either a mentor or a mentee and the value you found in the experience.

I was lucky enough to start my auto remarketing career with a mentor who was also my boss. I joined the company as a project manager in Information Technology, so I worked on projects for several divisions. My mentor challenged me to consider all of the perspectives involved, i.e. dealers, auctions, floorplan companies, and third parties, which gave me a well-rounded knowledge of the industry.

To that end, he took the time to educate our team and encouraged us to support each other. He advocated for me and made sure I had a seat at the table. Because of him, I have always been motivated to build a strong cohesive team that not only gets things done but enjoys working together.