Purchasing Professional Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

IntroductionAt Dobbs Truck Group, a part of our mission is to create relationships and a healthy work environment for our employees. We are always looking for qualified, customer-oriented individuals at Dobbs Truck Group.

Overview

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.

Requirements

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.