Commodity Buyer

Full Job Description

Commodity Buyer

Autocar, LLC

Location Birmingham, AL

Are you a strategic thinker with a passion for supplier relationships, cost optimization, and supply chain excellence? Join Autocar, one of the most respected names in the vocational truck industry and play a key role in shaping the future of our supply chain.

As a Commodity Buyer, you will be part of a dynamic and collaborative supply chain team responsible for developing and implementing sourcing strategies for key commodities. This role offers the opportunity to work cross-functionally with engineering, supplier development, manufacturing, and supplier partners to drive quality, innovation, cost savings, and operational excellence.

What You'll Do

In this role, you will:

• Perform daily procurement activities supporting prototype, development, and production requirements
• Manage logistics, quality, and financial interactions with suppliers
• Develop, negotiate, and implement commodity strategies that improve supplier performance and maximize value
• Lead supplier negotiations and establish supply agreements aligned with business objectives
• Contribute technical and commercial roadmaps while actively participating in the Autocar buyer network
• Drive initiatives focused on Quality, Delivery, Cost, Project Management, and Risk Mitigation
• Partner with Engineering and Supplier Development teams to identify, monitor, and mitigate supply chain risks
• Forecast cost trends and identify opportunities for cost reduction and continuous improvement
• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders and external suppliers to ensure supply chain success

What You Bring

We are looking for candidates who will demonstrate:

• A collaborative mindset and desire to work toward a common purpose
• Strategic thinking with the ability to understand both internal and external market dynamics
• Flexibility and adaptability in a fast-paced environment
• Strong communication and influencing skills
• Analytical problem-solving abilities with a systematic approach
• Process-driven decision making and execution
• High integrity and commitment to doing what is right
• The ability to build lasting supplier and stakeholder relationships

Preferred Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Business, or a related field preferred

Experience

• 2+ years of purchasing or buyer experience preferred
• Recent engineering graduates with a strong interest in supply chain and procurement are encouraged to apply
• Automotive or commercial vehicle industry experience is a plus
• Experience working in complex supply chain environments preferred

Skills

• Proven supplier negotiation and relationship management skills
• Strong business acumen and agility in decision making
• Knowledge of sourcing processes, systems, tools, and methodologies
• APICS, CPIM, CSCM, or other supply chain certifications are advantageous
• Ability to translate data into actionable insights and communicate effectively with stakeholders
• Strong customer focus with the ability to adapt to changing priorities and requirements

Why Autocar?

At Autocar, we build trucks that work as hard as the people who depend on them. Our employees are empowered to make an impact, challenge the status quo, and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.

When you join Autocar, you'll be part of a team that values:

• Accountability
• Collaboration
• Innovation
• Customer Focus
• Professional Growth

If you're ready to help drive sourcing excellence and contribute to a world-class supply chain organization, we'd love to hear from you.

Location: Birmingham, AL

• Birmingham is one of the Southeast’s most dynamic and affordable cities, recognized nationally as a growing business hub and an attractive destination for professionals. The area offers a lower cost of living than many major metropolitan markets, a thriving culinary and entertainment scene, and convenient access to lakes, parks, and weekend destinations throughout the region.
• Enjoy the best of both worlds—our Autocar facility is located just 20 minutes from downtown Birmingham, providing easy access to the city’s amenities while maintaining a convenient commute.

About Autocar

Autocar, LLC headquartered in Birmingham, AL, is not just another severe-duty vocational truck manufacturer - we built America’s first motor truck. We carry the first specialized truck brand in North America and are the only American-owned and operated original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of trucks. For over a century, Autocar has stood for purpose-built performance, durability, and reliability in the most demanding vocational applications.

Today, that legacy continues with a clear focus: building trucks that work as hard as the people who depend on them. We collaborate with our customers to build trucks to their exact specifications and needs. They operate in environments where failure is not an option, and our products are engineered to meet that standard every day.

Autocar’s purpose-built severe-duty refuse truck lines include the Class 6-8 ACMD cabover, Class 8 ACX cabover and the DC-64 Class 8 conventional cab. We recognize that performance and uptime are everything and offer every customer 24/7 access to our ALWAYS UP® direct factory support center staffed by expert technicians who engineer and build Autocar’s trucks. Autocar promises to provide trucks that deliver the best value, provide the best service, and provide a complete solution for customers’ needs.

Job Duties Disclaimer: The duties and responsibilities outlined here are representative but not exhaustive of the tasks that the employee may be required to perform. Management reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and to assign other tasks as necessary to meet business needs.

Equal Employment Opportunity: Autocar is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Reasonable Accommodations (ADA Compliance):

Autocar complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Employees who require assistance or accommodation should contact Human Resources.

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