BUYER

Position Title: Buyer FLSA Classification: EXEMPT

Reports To: Director of Supply Chain Date: 2/3/2025

We are hiring, Airxcel Inc a division of Thor Industries is growing and has career opportunity as a Buyer located in our Wichita, KS facility. Since 1991 Airxcel has been building a dynamic family of brands in the RV industry with the fundamental goal of enhancing the RV experience for all. Our company was built on the pillars of unparalleled service, product expertise, and committed partnerships. Position offers growth, a fantastic team environment, company engagement with employees and most important competitive wages

JOB DESCRIPTION

Summary/Objective:

A Buyer will purchase materials, services, equipment and supplies for the operation of the company. Responsibilities include processing purchase orders, negotiating with suppliers international & domestic, tracking orders, managing supplier relationships, measuring supplier performance, and will have a strong focus on cost savings.


Essential Functions:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

• Ensures Purchase Orders are placed and delivered on time and at cost.
• Ensures quality at every step of the purchasing process from initializing the quote to final award of the contract.
• Follows delegation of authority as defined by the finance policy for Purchase Order spend and obtains approvals as required.
• Manages Purchase Orders from placement to closing and purging (archiving) orders.
• Collaborates with engineering, manufacturing, production control, and finance on solutions to purchasing products to satisfy end customers. This includes all aspects of the business from new product development to repair and overhaul.
• Works with the Director on sourcing strategies and supplier network capabilities for key commodities and component categories to achieve broad business objectives. Help in the negotiation and implementation of said strategies.
• Analyzes market and delivery conditions to determine present and future material availability.
• Coordinates with Brokers and Forwarders for International Shipments.
• Accountable for Supplier Management/Innovation and must strategically manage new and existing sourcing relationships, with a focus on total cost of ownership and supplier value.
• Own and manage the supplier relationship.
• Coordinate visits from suppliers with topics/items for discussion prepared ahead of meeting.
• Responsible for management of inventory levels.
• Process improvement ideas, development, and implementation as well as elimination of purchasing risk through solid documentation, understanding of commodities/supplier products.
• Keeps supplier Non-Disclosure Agreements current and supplier information current in the MRP system including but not limited to supplier lead times, Country of Origin, Primary Supplier, and order sizing information.
• Position requires a high degree of professional integrity, ethics, and confidentiality.
• Some domestic and international travel may be appropriate in managing suppliers and identifying new suppliers.
• Performs other duties as assigned to support the organization.

Characteristic Duties:

Competencies:

• Experience with a variety of industry concepts, supply chain best practices, contract negotiations.
• Mid to Advance level of Microsoft Office knowledge.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work in a cross-function team environment.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills
• Ability to communicate effectively and build strong relationships with internal and external partners.
• Must be organized and able to balance multiple priorities appropriately.
• Logical thinking with creative problem-solving ability.

Supervisory Responsibility: N/A

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

Physical Demands: The physical demands 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.

• Employee is frequently required to sit; use hands and fingers to manipulate objects, handle, or feel; and talk and hear.
• Occasionally required to reach with hands and arms.
• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk working on a computer.
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work: Exempt and 40+ hours

Travel: 2-5%

Required Education and Experience:

• BS in a Supply Chain or Operations Field or pursuing degree completion or relevant work experience.
• 3-5 relevant years International buying/planning
• 1-2 Import, Export, Distribution experience.
• 2-3 years of buy/resell experience.
• 2-3 years data mining and analysis.
• 2-3 years experience with Tariffs, Duty, and Ocean Freight

Preferred Education and Experience:

• BS in a Supply Chain or Operations Field, BA equivalent, certification, or relevant work experience.
• 3-5 year's experience with MRP / ERP Systems. INFOR, highly preferred.
• 7-9 year's experience in supply chain management and inventory control.

EEO Statement:

All divisions of Airxcel provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Other Duties:

Please be advised this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.