WHO WE ARE

For more than 75 years, Douglas Dynamics has been North America’s premier manufacturer and upfitter of commercial work truck attachments and equipment. Our family of industry-leading brands — FISHER®, SnowEx®, WESTERN®, HENDERSON®, DEJANA®, and VENCO VENTURO® — is trusted for superior innovation, reliability, and performance.

Just as important as what we build is how we build it. We believe our people and culture are critical to our success. At Douglas Dynamics, you’ll be part of a team that values collaboration, continuous improvement, and empowered decision-making. We provide the tools, training, and support our employees need to thrive — because when our people succeed, so does our business.

When you join Douglas Dynamics, you become part of a tradition — and a future — where your ideas matter, your contributions are valued, and your growth is supported.

HOW WE DO IT

Our Core Values — Grow, Improve, and Engage — define who we are and guide how we work every day. We bring these values to life through our Winning Behaviors, which shape how we serve our customers, support one another, and succeed together:

• Be Customer & Results Driven – Consider the customer in everything you do and focus on meaningful outcomes.
• Anticipate the Possibilities – See around corners and embrace ideas that move our business forward.
• Collaborate & Care – Work together and support our customers, communities, and each other.
• Communicate Responsibly – Build trust through thoughtful listening and clear communication.
• Develop Self & Others – Take ownership of your growth while helping others do the same.
• Get Better Every Day – Continuous improvement is at the heart of how we work — every day.

THE ROLE

We are seeking a Commodity Buyer/Production Planner Supervisor to join our team and help drive our continued success. This role plays an important part in supporting our customers, strengthening our business, and contributing to the long-term growth of Douglas Dynamics.

HOW YOU WILL CONTRIBUTE

Drive the collaborative management and leadership of the material replenishment processes so that we are strategically aligned and continuously improving the quality, delivery and margin of our products and best suited to efficiently supply our internal production processes to meet the demands of our customers. In this role, you will leverage your skills, experience, and perspective to make a meaningful impact. You’ll collaborate with teammates across the organization, contribute ideas, and help deliver results that matter for our customers and our business.

HOW YOU’LL MAKE A DIFFERENCE

• Mentor the location specific Commodity Buyer/Production Planner and Receiving Teams while representing the location as a Manufacturing Supervisor Team peer group participant across locations to develop a “1-Team” mindset throughout all locations.
• Develop short and long-term strategies that support the overall CSI business objectives and initiatives. This includes the measurement of internal and external KPI (Key Performance Indicators) that proactively identify opportunities for improvement, while providing warning signals for potential problems based on performance trends.
• Document all locational current state processes and procedures as a baseline for improvement. Share “best practices” for the development and transition of new future state processes and procedures that “best fit” all locations.
• Continuous learning of DDMS methodologies and use of tools and skills while promoting the continuous education of the Commodity Buyer/Production Planner & Receiving Teams through a focus on Safety, Quality and Delivery.
• Assist in the identification, prioritization and execution of cost savings projects to targeted annual goals.
• Develop and monitor level loaded production schedules while managing the supply of incoming raw material and finished goods inventory to sufficient levels to sustain actual production performance to internal and external demands.
• Proactively identify impact of current trends, inefficiencies, or constraints and work collaboratively with the Operations Team on improvements that facilitate efficiencies that benefit both the organization and the customer.
• Interface internally with our Engineering, Global Sourcing & Supply, Marketing, Inside Sales and Finance teams as well as externally with our Supply Chain Partners.
• Hire and train new teammates.
• Provide effective challenges and feedback to facilitate individual and team growth.

WHAT THIS ROLE NEEDS

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:

• Associate's degree in business or other related field or three years or related experience is required.
• Bachelor's degree is preferred but not required.
• Leadership of a small team of direct reports is a plus.

EXPERIENCE AND/OR TRAINING:

• 3+ years working directly in a Lean Manufacturing setting using practices equivalent to the DDMS (Douglas Dynamics Management System), based on the Toyota Production System, is required; “hands on” experience as an OEM is a plus.

• Thorough understanding, ability to apply principles and capability to train and coach the location Commodity Buyer/Production Planning Team to run the business and continuously improve using:

  • Fundamental Lean Operating Systems - 5S, Manufacturing Process Documentation - TPS Standard Work (SW) / TWI Job Instruction (JI), Problem Solving (PS), Andon, Managing Daily Improvement (MDI)
  • Other Lean Operating Systems - Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) - Overall Equipment Effectiveness, Single-Minute Exchange of Dies (SMED) - Change-over reduction, Pull Systems
  • Fundamental Manufacturing Management Skills & Knowledge - Level Loaded Daily Demand Production (80-16-4 Principal), Labor Planning, Budget Management – Fixed/Variable and CapEx, Utilization of Capacity (U of C)
  • Strategy Deployment & Continuous Improvement Vision/Execution - Future State Planning, Value-Stream/Process Mapping, Production Preparation Process (2P/3P) and Kaizen, Manufacturing Initiative Project Management

LICENSES/CERTIFICATES:

• Any licenses/certifications related to Supply Chain or Materials Management is a plus.

OTHER SKILLS:

• Digital toolset proficiency - Capable of developing process tools, professional presentations, reports (A3 formats); i.e. MS Office 365 - Excel, Word, Power Point, Access, Teams, etc.
• Workload Management proficiency - Delegation, Prioritization, Multi-tasking, Project Management.
• Executive Presence - Team Engagement and Communication; Influencing, inspiring confidence, adapting to your audience, displaying patience to listen/learn, building relationships, critical conversations; formal, informal, written, verbal, expression.

TRAVEL:

• Travel will be required on occasion (1-2 offsite trips per year)

WHAT WE OFFER YOU

• A fulfilling career with the opportunity to contribute to an industry leader
• Competitive salary commensurate with experience
• A comprehensive benefits package
• Generous 401(k) match
• Profit sharing for all full-time employees
• Ongoing learning and development opportunities, including access to Douglas Dynamics University (DDU)

At Douglas Dynamics, we don’t just talk about improvement — we live it. We’re committed to creating an environment where people can grow, ideas are encouraged, and learning never stops. Your development matters here, and we are invested in helping you build a rewarding career.

Don’t meet every requirement? Studies show that women, people of color, and historically underrepresented talent are less likely to apply unless they meet every qualification. At Douglas Dynamics, we are committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace — and we encourage you to apply.

Douglas Dynamics, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against qualified applicants based on race, color, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.