Rhyde Thomas

Executive leader overseeing $300M in global sourcing, procurement, and inventory operations supporting $600M in annual revenue. Lead a team of 5 buyers and manage a global network of 450+ suppliers across North America, Europe, and Asia. Delivered $3.0M in PPV savings and $17.4M in rebate savings, strengthening EBITDA performance. Directed sourcing integration for KOM Canada and GR Automotive, unifying processes, data, and supplier strategy. Served as Purchasing SME for enterprise integration, shaping workflows, reporting structures, and system design. Enhanced operational visibility by leveraging Claude AI for analytics, forecasting, and supplier performance insights.

I source and purchase OEM and after market parts, accessories and apparel for online and catalog retailers. Proven at driving revenue and sales volumes through development of impactful websites, catalogs and marketing campaigns connecting B2B and B2C customers with enthusiast-based retailers. I am seeking new opportunities and can be contacted at rhydet@gmail.com.

Directed product sourcing, purchasing, inventory management and returns activities. Managed both domestic and international sourcing of all products. • Managed Purchasing and Returns Managers, with indirect responsibility for 11 buyers, 4 returns associates and 6 light assembly associates. Coordinated 700+ suppliers (domestically and internationally) including sourcing, costs, on-time performance, product quality and logistics. Met all monthly inventory value targets at a 95% inventory fill rate. • Reduced open vendor returns by $600K in 4 months by creating a targeted campaign and implementing best practices. Created process documentation and ensured consistent adherence to standards. o Created a “win-win” solution with vendors to reconcile credits and negotiate more favorable terms. • Reduced risk by implementing a strategy to move from a single supplier to a variety of vendors for production of private label merchadise. Developed an RFP, sourced new vendors, executed a vendor selection process and negotiated contract terms and conditions. Connected vendors to product design engineers to manage product specifications, instituted order management process and provided post implementation support. • Worked with OEM’s on collaborative marketing and sales targets, resulting in rebates to reduce marketing spend while increasing sales volume and revenue.

Directed all sourcing activities of $200M portfolio for the MAG retail brands, J&P Cycles and Motorcycle Superstore. Managed both domestic and international sourcing of all products offerings (motorcycle parts, accessories and apparel). • Met monthly inventory value targets while maintaining a 95% inventory fill rate. Managed 500+ vendors, reduced excess/obsolete inventory, and worked with Accounting on accounts payable. • Sourced private label products in China and Taiwan, traveling to suppliers to negotiate contract terms. Audited products for conformance to quality standards and product specifications. • Sourced, vetted and selected a new ERP system (JD Edwards). Developed the system requirements, researched vendors, created the RFP, conducted the vendor selection process, and reviewed proposals. o Led the system migration from multiple ERP systems to the JD Edwards solution as the Sourcing subject matter expert. Identified current state processes and developed future state processes to migrate data elements and historical records. Identified reporting needs and process workflow. Assisted with system testing, pilot programs, system implementation and post-implementation support. • Implemented an economic order quantity (EOQ) ordering system to reduce days’ supply inventory (DSI) while increasing inventory turns and fill rate. Set pricing, managed shipping and logistics and resolved vendor issues. • Consolidated inventory from 5 warehouses to a single location, working with the Distribution team to identify the inventory to relocate, plan the physical move of the product, and convert purchase order history to the new location while maintaining fill rates and without interruption. • Relocated corporate offices to Texas, necessitating the recruiting and hiring of 5 buyers and 3 assistants, including onboarding and training. Set up office workflows and processes in new location and ensured seamless system and sourcing services.

Full P&L responsibilities across all sales channels, including print, web, retail and events. • Managed $15M inventory for stocking and customer product fulfillment. Led teams of merchants and buyers. • Increased turn rate and lowered days-on-hand inventory by introducing EOQ ordering. • Leveraged Agility PIM to reduce catalog cycle time. • Reduced production costs by developing more specialized catalogs, and increased customer contact moving to a bi-monthly distribution (from once a year), resulting in increased sales volume revenue.

Managed all aspects of the motorcycle and ATV/UTV business for the JC Whitney companies, with full P&L responsibilities for a $12M category of motorcycle products and apparel. • Drove $2M in additional revenue by launching All Bike SuperShop to target the enthusiast motorcycle market. Responsible for selection of new products, sourcing, vendor negotiations, marketing strategies, development of a new website/print catalog, and creation of a call center sales team (hiring and training). Served as General Manager. • Acquired new customers and increased sales by adding a new sales channel, eBay, using Channel Velocity. • Analyzed internet listings, performed competitive analysis of product classifications and optimized search engine key words, in collaboration with the search engine optimization (SEO) group. Used Google Insights, Google Adwords, Mercado, Omniture, Bazaar Voice, Foresee and Channel Advisor to position content.

Developed and implemented the merchandising strategy for the online and print catalog to maximize sales and revenue. Managed a team of six merchants. • Managed all merchandising functions, including browse-to-buy ratio, P&L, product mix, site promotions, price and margin levels, print and online catalog product information, product presentation pages, browse assortments and specialty catalogs. Added new products and repositioned existing content to increase brand awareness and sales. o Increased gross margins 3% (from 45% to 48%). o Introduced relationship building strategy with vendors, by implementing annual on-site conferences and business reviews, resulting in cooperative marketing funds and ‘first to market’ rights. • Analyzed product sales trends and customer feedback to determine product selections. Communicated and coordinated efforts with Marketing, Creative and Contact Center. • Initiated extensive customer surveys to target product selection and marketing strategies. One outcome was to introduce a separate website and catalog targeting the “enthusiast” market segment. • Implemented e-commerce website upgrade, migrating to a new platform (Mercado), including the development of search terms, product categories and website design and content (descriptions, images and videos).

Responsible for a multi-million dollar business with a focus on transforming business operations by adding new product offerings. Direct reports included the Facility Manager, Call Center Manager, Warehouse Manager, Accountant, and Marketing Manager. The position reported to company owners. • Grew company product offerings from exclusively snowmobile merchandise by adding motorcycle and ATV parts and accessories resulting in increased average order value (AOV) by 20%. Developed the business plan and budget, acquired financing, sourced products, created online and print catalog, set pricing, created a marketing strategy and launched to market. o Successfully avoided corporate bankruptcy by reducing debt and created a platform for ongoing business. o Introduced a new sales channel, eBay, to reach new customers resulting in added revenue and sales volume. • Created and implemented a marketing strategy using proactive outreach through email and print campaigns to prospective and existing customers, resulting in higher sales volume and new customer accounts. Reduced marketing budget from 22% to 12% of sales. • Introduced financial dashboard reporting and key performance indicators (KPIs) to manage daily, monthly and yearly performance targets.