Sourcing Manager

Dave Carter & Associates is a multi-line national distributor to multiple industries, including manufactured housing, modular builders, recreational vehicles, commercial construction, cargo trailers, and specialty vehicle industries.
Incorporated in September of 1978 as a distributor in the southeastern United States, currently, Dave Carter & Associates has 11 distribution centers that serve all of the United States and Canada, with our international division focusing on handling imports & exports. We are a leader and dominant supplier in the products we sell, with a large market share in most products to the industries.

Dave Carter & Associates has recently strengthened its product portfolio by adding Thetford’s leading sanitation, refrigeration, and cooking product lines. This expansion follows Thetford LLC’s acquisition of DCA, a strategic move that unites a global innovator in RV systems with a highly respected North American distribution network.

Dave Carter & Associates firmly believes our strongest asset is our team of employees who have embodied our company’s culture of prioritizing strong customer service, industry knowledge, continuous training, financial accountability and building both lasting positive personal and professional relationships.

Dave Carter & Associates is seeking a Sourcing Manager to lead the identification, evaluation, development, and management of suppliers across the company’s product portfolio. This position combines strategic sourcing, supplier development, and engineering expertise to identify high-quality, competitive sources and support the continued growth and improvement of the business.

The ideal candidate brings a strong understanding of engineering, manufacturing, materials, and supplier capabilities, along with the commercial skills needed to evaluate suppliers, negotiate competitive terms, and establish long-term strategic partnerships.

This is a highly collaborative role working with suppliers and internal teams to identify new products and sources, evaluate technical requirements, improve costs and quality, and ensure reliable supply.

• Identify, research, and develop new domestic and international suppliers capable of meeting Dave Carter & Associates’ requirements for quality, cost, delivery, capacity, and technical performance.
• Develop and maintain a strong network of qualified suppliers, manufacturers, and strategic partners across relevant product categories and manufacturing processes.
• Use engineering expertise to understand product specifications, materials, manufacturing processes, tolerances, performance requirements, and product applications when evaluating potential suppliers.
• Review drawings, specifications, samples, technical data, and other product requirements to determine supplier capabilities and identify potential manufacturing or design improvements.
• Work closely with engineering, purchasing, sales, operations, and management to identify sourcing opportunities and develop supplier solutions for new and existing products.
• Evaluate supplier capabilities through technical reviews, facility visits, audits, samples, prototypes, testing, quality history, capacity analysis, and commercial evaluation.
• Identify opportunities for cost reduction, value engineering, alternative materials, alternate manufacturing processes, and product improvements while maintaining or improving quality and performance.
• Research and benchmark supplier pricing, raw-material costs, manufacturing methods, market conditions, and competitive sources to establish cost targets and support fact-based negotiations.
• Negotiate pricing, payment terms, lead times, minimum order quantities, tooling, freight, warranty requirements, and other commercial terms with suppliers.
• Lead supplier qualification and onboarding activities, including technical evaluation, commercial analysis, quality requirements, documentation, and initial production approval.
• Develop alternative and dual-source strategies to improve supply continuity, reduce risk, and strengthen the company’s negotiating position.
• Partner with suppliers on new product development, product…