Purchasing Assistant Jobs in Coldwater, MS (NOW HIRING)

Description

The Dobbs Truck Group is a growth company that successfully expands our operations and customer base through a high-quality team of employees.

Dobbs Truck Group operates 25 commercial truck dealerships through two operating companies - Dobbs Peterbilt and Western Truck Center. These dealerships represent some of the best commercial truck brands including Peterbilt, Volvo, Mack, Autocar, and Hino and include locations in Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oregon, Tennessee, and Washington.

We offer a competitive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, long-term disability, life insurance, and 401(k), as well as paid vacation and sick leave. Our Company is looking for long-term employees that we can invest in and grow with as we pursue our mission of being the premier commercial truck dealer group.

General Job Description

The Purchasing Manager is responsible for developing, executing, and enforcing procurement strategies that support the organization's operational, financial, and inventory objectives. This role leads all aspects of sourcing, negotiation, acquisition, and supplier management to ensure the company secures high quality products at competitive prices while maintaining reliable supply and optimal inventory levels.

This position plays a critical role in driving cost control, supplier performance, purchasing discipline, and enterprise standardization across all locations. The Purchasing Manager partners closely with Parts Operations, Inventory Control, Finance, and Operations Leadership to align procurement strategy with business priorities and growth objectives.

The duties described below reflect the general nature of the role and are not intended to be exhaustive. Additional responsibilities may be assigned based on business needs.

Responsibilities

Strategic Procurement & Purchasing

• Develop and implement purchasing strategies that support company growth, operational efficiency, and cost management objectives.
• Identify opportunities for vendor consolidation, strategic sourcing, and long-term supplier partnerships.
• Establish and enforce standardized procurement processes and best practices across all locations
• Evaluate and actively manage supplier performance against defined service, pricing, delivery, and quality expectations

Enterprise Standardization and Procurement Governance

• Standardize purchasing processes, tools, and workflows across all locations
• Centralize vendor strategy, supplier selection, and pricing agreements to maximize buying power
• Ensure enterprise-wide compliance with procurement policies, vendor programs, and negotiated agreements
• Eliminate decentralized and inconsistent purchasing practices that create cost inefficiencies and operational risk
• Drive adoption of standardized systems and reporting to improve visibility and decision making

Local Purchasing Controls and Oversight

• Develop and implement standardized purchasing controls through system utilization to ensure consistency, visibility, and accountability
• Provide oversight, training, and guidance to location level purchasing personnel to ensure adherence to company standards
• Monitor purchasing activity at the branch level to ensure compliance with approved vendors, pricing structures, and purchasing policies
• Identify and correct deviations from established purchasing processes and drive accountability at the location level

Supplier Management & Vendor Relations

• Source, evaluate, and onboard new suppliers to expand the company's purchasing network and improve product availability.
• Maintain strong working relationships with vendors to ensure favorable pricing, reliable supply, and responsive service.
• Negotiate contracts, pricing structures, rebates, freight terms, minimum order requirements, and warranty provisions.
• Manage supplier performance and hold vendors accountable for quality, delivery timelines, and contractual obligations.
• Resolve vendor disputes, supply issues, and quality concerns in a timely and professional manner.

Cost Control & Financial Stewardship

• Negotiate favorable pricing structures, freight minimums, shipment terms, and warranty conditions to reduce total acquisition costs.
• Monitor purchasing trends, vendor pricing changes, and market fluctuations to ensure competitive purchasing decisions.
• Work with Finance and Operations leadership to maintain purchasing within approved budget parameters.
• Identify opportunities for cost savings through strategic sourcing, alternative suppliers, and volume purchasing agreements.
• Drive measurable reduction in total acquisition cost through disciplined sourcing, negotiation, and vendor consolidation

Inventory Strategy & Coordination

• Collaborate with inventory control teams and operational leaders to determine appropriate stock levels and replenishment strategies.
• Ensure sufficient inventory availability to support operations while minimizing excess inventory and obsolescence.
• Assist in the development of inventory forecasting models based on demand trends and market conditions.
• Monitor slow-moving and obsolete inventory and develop strategies for mitigation and recovery.

Market Analysis & Supply Chain Intelligence

• Monitor industry trends, market conditions, supply chain risks, and product availability that may impact procurement strategies.
• Evaluate market pricing trends and identify opportunities to leverage competitive advantages in sourcing.
• Stay informed on vendor innovations, new product offerings, and industry developments that may improve company purchasing capabilities.

Fleet Select Program

• Lead the development, expansion, and performance of strategic product programs, including FleetSelect
• Establish sourcing strategies, supplier partnerships, and pricing structures that strengthen program competitiveness and margin performance
• Drive adoption and availability of FleetSelect products across all locations
• Partner with Parts Operations and Sales to align program growth with customer demand and revenue objectives
• Monitor program performance and continuously optimize product mix, supplier base, and pricing strategy

Compliance & Process Management

• Ensure all purchasing activities comply with company policies, internal controls, and applicable regulations.
• Maintain accurate purchasing records, vendor documentation, and contract files.
• Support audits and financial reviews related to procurement activities.
• Continuously evaluate purchasing processes and recommend improvements that enhance efficiency and transparency.
• Ability to manage multiple purchasing priorities, lead vendor negotiations, and coordinate cross-functional initiatives while maintaining strong attention to detail and accountability.

Performance Metrics and Expectations

• Reduction in total acquisition cost through strategic sourcing, negotiation, and vendor optimization
• Vendor consolidation and adherence to approved vendor programs and contracts
• Inventory turnover improvement and reduction of stockouts across all locations
• Supplier performance, including on time delivery and fill rate consistency
• Compliance with enterprise purchasing policies and standardized processes
• Cost savings initiatives and measurable financial impact to the business
• FleetSelect product line growth, availability, and margin performance

Education

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Finance, or a related field preferred. Equivalent industry experience may be considered in lieu of formal education.

Experience and Qualifications

• 5+ years of purchasing, procurement, supply chain, or vendor management experience.
• Proven success negotiating competitive pricing, favorable contract terms, vendor rebates, freight agreements, and service conditions that improve overall procurement value.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to evaluate pricing structures, financial reports, vendor proposals, and market data to support sound purchasing decisions.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with internal stakeholders and maintain productive vendor relationships.
• Strong understanding of budgeting principles, cost management, margin impact, and financial controls related to procurement and supply chain operations.
• In-depth knowledge of purchasing, procurement, and supply chain management principles including sourcing strategies, supplier management, inventory planning, and risk mitigation.

Mental Capability Requirements

• Comprehension: Ability to understand opposing points of view on highly complex issues, negotiate, and integrate different viewpoints.
• Organization: Ability to organize and prioritize work schedules of others on long-term basis.
• Reasoning & Decision Making: Ability to make decisions with significant impact on department's credibility, operations, and services.
• Communication: Ability to formulate complex and comprehensive materials, such as legal documents, authoritative reports, official publications of major scope and impacts, and make formal presentations.
• Mathematics: Ability to compute, analyze, and interpret complex statistical data and develop forecasts and computer models.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, sit, use hands and arms to handle or feel objects, tools or controls, reach with hands and arms, climb stairs, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, talk or hear, and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is not exposed to weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Common Expectations of Performance for all Employees

The following includes common expectations for all employees of the Company. The evaluation of job performance will be based on these common expectations as well as the position-specific responsibilities described above.

Communications, Teamwork, and Feedback to Others

• Contribute to a work environment that is based on trust and respect.
• Have discussions on a regular basis with their manager to discuss opportunities to best achieve individual performance objectives and departmental goals.
• Suggest ways to improve the efficiency of conducting their job duties.
• Promote continuous improvement and change to support company growth.
• Mentor others unselfishly.
• Give credit where it's due.

Company Loyal Policies and Work Ethic

• Adhere to the policies contained in the Employee Handbook.
• Adhere to the Company's Employee Conduct Policy.
• Support management decisions toward meeting company goals.
• Be open and receptive to new ideas, regardless of their origin.
• Make prudent decisions, which are based on the best interest of the Company and its long-term future.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer

Dobbs Truck Group operates 25 commercial truck dealerships through two operating companies - Dobbs Peterbilt and Western Truck Center.

Dobbs Peterbilt and Western Truck Center are equal opportunity employers that values a broad diversity of talent, knowledge, experience, and expertise. We foster a culture of inclusion that drives employee engagement to deliver superior performance to the communities we serve. Dobbs Peterbilt and Western Truck Parts do not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, ancestry, pregnancy, genetic information, gender identity, sexual orientation, or marital status; or on the basis of age against persons whose age is 40 and over, or on the basis of physical or mental disability; or to disabled veterans or to Vietnam veterans.

We are proud to be an affirmative action employer and encourage minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to join our team.