Location: Greencastle,IN, USA
**Dixie Chopper** is a leading manufacturer of high-quality commercial and residential lawn mowers. With a commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction, Dixie Chopper has been providing superior products to professional landscapers and homeowners for over 40+ years. The **Buyer II** will play a crucial role in ensuring the efficient procurement of materials and components to support our manufacturing operations. Under minimal supervision, the Buyer II purchases products, schedules material deliveries, and maintains inventory levels.
Seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented Buyer to join our procurement team at Dixie Chopper. The Buyer II will be responsible for sourcing, negotiating, and purchasing materials, parts, and components needed for our production processes. Role requires close collaboration with suppliers, internal stakeholders, and the production team to ensure the timely availability of quality materials at competitive prices. The role requires strong analytical skills, excellent negotiation abilities, and a deep understanding of procurement processes within a manufacturing environment.
**Essential Functions of the Job:**
+ Conduct market research and supplier evaluations to identify reliable sources of materials and components while maintaining cost-effectiveness and quality standards.
+ Collaborate with internal stakeholders, including production managers and engineers, to determine procurement needs and specifications for materials and components.
+ Develop and maintain strong relationships with suppliers, negotiating contracts and terms to ensure favorable pricing, quality, and timely delivery.
+ Implement procurement strategies to optimize inventory levels and minimize stock-outs while considering lead times, production schedules, and demand forecasts.
+ Monitor supplier performance, ensuring adherence to quality standards, delivery schedules, and contractual obligations.
+ Proactively identify and resolve procurement-related issues, such as supplier delays, quality concerns, or cost overruns, to minimize disruptions to production.
+ Conduct regular audits of supplier compliance, including reviewing certifications, quality control processes, and ethical practices.
+ Stay updated on market trends, industry regulations, and emerging technologies relevant to the procurement function. Generate reports and provide accurate data analysis to support decision-making processes and identify areas for improvement.
+ Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive continuous improvement initiatives in procurement processes, cost savings, and supplier relationship management.
**Education and Experience:**
+ Highschool diploma or GED required, bachelors degree preferred
+ Proven experience as a Buyer, preferably in a manufacturing, OPE Industry or automotive industry.
**Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):**
+ Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, business administration, or a related field. Relevant certifications (e.g., Certified Professional in Supply Management) are a plus.
+ Proven experience as a Buyer, preferably in a manufacturing, OPE Industry or automotive industry.
+ Strong knowledge of procurement processes, inventory management, and supplier relationship management.
+ Excellent negotiation skills, with the ability to drive cost savings and favorable contract terms.
+ Proficient in analyzing market trends, conducting supplier evaluations, and identifying potential risks and opportunities.
+ Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail to effectively manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
+ Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate with internal stakeholders and build strong relationships with suppliers.
+ Proficiency in using procurement software and tools, as well as MS Office suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
+ Ability to work independently and make sound decisions, while also functioning well in a team-oriented environment.
**ALAMO GROUP CORE COMPETENCIES include:**
+ **Leading Change / Change Management:** Ability to drive improvement of team, division, and corporate goals and objectives through people. Ability to balance change and continually strive to improve business performance.
+ **Leading People / Teamwork:** Ability to design and implement strategies which maximize employees potential and foster high ethical standards in meeting the team, division, and corporate objectives.
+ **Communication:** Ability to explain, advocate, and express facts and ideas in a convincing manner, and negotiate with individuals and groups internally and externally. The ability to develop internal and external networks and identify the issues that impact the work of the organization.
+ **Business Acumen:** Understands and interprets business financials and metrics and utilizes latest business strategies. Focuses on outcomes and creates opportunities for success. Acquires and utilizes human, financial, material and information resources effectively.
+ **Results Driven:** Ability to make timely and effective decisions and produce results through planning and the implementation and evaluation of business metrics, systems, policies, and program; stressing accountability and continuous improvement.
Alamo Group is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity, Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, national origin, color, religion, age, genetics, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability or veteran status. We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing (where permitted by law).