In my role at nGROUP, I lead our supply chain operations, engineering, Human Resources, recruiting, Technology Implementations and consulting organizations. While my primary objective is to grow the organization, my team of 25 senior leaders and over 1,000 individuals work together to help solve our customer's biggest struggles. Our customers are from various industries and typically utilize distribution centers, warehouses, cross-docks, or fulfillment centers to meet their customers' needs. They may also be involved in manufacturing, and all usually have labor-intensive operations such as:► Picking and packing► Cross-docking► Reverse logistics ► Fresh food packaging► Receiving and replenishment In many cases, they are struggling to meet their clients' expectations, which can happen for a variety of reasons.► High (or excessive) labor costs► Higher than expected costs per unit (CPU)► Absenteeism or a disengaged workforce► Lower than predicted quality per hour (UPH)► Recruiting and training a high performing workforce At nGROUP, we guarantee improved performance with no risk.To help you exceed your key performance indicators, we utilize Lean manufacturing and Six Sigma techniques to hone complex, labor-intensive processes and systems to eliminate labor-management headaches. TYPICAL CLIENT RESULTS► 30% increase in productivity ► 50% decrease in overtime► 5 to 50% reduction in unit labor costs► 10%+ yield improvementCUSTOMER SPECIFIC RESULTS► $1M reduction in labor costs for Macy's► $3M reduction in labor costs for Sony ElectronicsYou shouldn't have to deal with the headache of labor force problems to get a complex job done well.If your organization is struggling with meeting it's distribution and warehousing goals or finding and deploying the right labor workforce to achieve your goals, let's talk. Email: bduron@ngroup.bizPhone: 479-531-6228

Takt's operations platform increases productivity and engagement in logistics, manufacturing, and warehouse facilities.

Founded by Julie Wainwright, The RealReal is the first of its kind online marketplace for authenticated luxury items. When the Kardashians and other famous movie stars with multiple houses and closets, want to consign their luxury items, they turn to The RealReal.Every item entering The RealReal's warehouse is authenticated and copyrighted before being added to the website for sale. As the Vice President of Fulfillment and head of the supply chain and logistics, I was responsible for building the next evolution of The RealReal's eCommerce distribution system. The RealReal grew exponentially, and so did our need to develop and improve our efficiencies in distribution, warehousing, and storage. As we expanded internationally, we increased our compliance capabilities as well.During the time I was at The RealReal, our annual revenue went from $250M to over $1B.KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS► Saved $650k annually by redesigning processes to increase throughput.► $350K reduction in procurement costs via new procurement model implementation. ► Developed fulfillment center processes to ensure compliance with all customs requirements for international orders.► Recruited and trained a highly experienced team.► Opened pop-up retail locations to expand the brand.► Put in place all of the systems and processes needed to handle future growth.

InSource Performance Solutions is very similar to nGROUP. They provide manufacturers and distribution operations with alternatives to temporary staffing. Before joining InSource, I had purchased and implemented the services like the ones they offer at my previous companies, Walmart, DHL, and AmeriCold. Since I was known in the industry, InSource approached me to sit on their board where I was a strategic advisor and provided operational effectiveness guidance. During my time on the board, nGROUP approached InSource about a partnership, which is how I came to know them and eventually work for them in my current capacity.

Americold is the largest refrigerated cold chain 3PL in the world. They partner with Fortune 100 grocery retailers and CPG/Food manufacturers as an extension of their supply chain. As the Regional Vice President, I oversaw the operations of the Southeast Region in the United States. I was responsible for the strategic, financial and tactical oversight of two divisions, 35 sites, 160 buildings, and over 3000 associates. I turned around and integrated two companies by updating all technologies and processes into one unified system used nationally.KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS ► Exceeded revenue and EBITDA targets by over 105%► 10% improvement in the labor ratio and 5% in safety improvements► Consolidated multiple sites to improve EBITDA by over $5 mm dollars.► Exceeded budgets, customer, safety, and operational objectives every year. ► Implemented a new operating system (WMS, WFM, and related technologies), to improve compliance and drive process infrastructure.► Responsible for 3PL for a major grocery customer, including a start-up with a one million square foot operation.

DHL is the world's largest contract logistics specialist. They provide customized logistics solutions for warehousing, transportation, and integrated services. They help design and manage supply chains from manufacturing to finished goods to reverse logistics.At Walmart, I had worked with DHL for many years. They had watched me grow Walmart's eCommerce platform, so when they decided to start an eCommerce vertical, they reached out and brought me on as the Vice President Of Operations.In that capacity, I built the foundation for the eCommerce service and the go-to-market strategy to bring in customers such as Toys-R-Us, Gymboree, Groupon, and others. In less than three years, we built the eCommerce vertical into a $100M division.KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS ► Integrated supply chain and logistics solutions for transportation management, warehousing and fulfillment, customs brokerage, and freight forwarding. ► Provided import and export consulting services for a wide range of business sectors from specialty retail to manufacturing to apparel, electronics, and consumer packaged goods industries. ► Optimized operations for our partners to improve their Supply Chain performance, including capacity, and Cost Per Unit (CPU) objectives.► Drove leadership talent development, recruitment, and retention to optimize and manage business functions.

The first time I worked for Walmart, I helped them start up their grocery supply chain and logistics operations, before becoming a GM. I eventually left to pursue a role at Amazon.When I came back to Walmart the second time, it was to help implement the supply chain and logistics operations needed to support the eCommerce relaunch.During my time with Walmart, I held various positions within the supply chain and logistics organization, from vice president of reverse logistics to direct imports to eCommerce and finally divisional vice president for the Texas supply chain.The Texas supply chain consists of 12 distribution centers that support retail sales of $16 billion with a supply chain staff of 11 direct and seven indirect reports, as well as an organization of over 500 leaders and 6000 associates.KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN EACH ROLEDivisional Vice President of Supply Chain► $20M in annual savings via improvements in process flow, repurposing of capital assets, customer initiatives, and compliance challenges. ► Full P&L responsibility for the leading largest division in the U.S. - Annual budget of $400 million, 9 Distribution Centers totaling 10M sq ft, 450 Walmarts & 50 Sam’s Clubs. Vice President of eCommerce► Led Supply Chain organization from start-up to $100 million in the first year and to $1.5 billion within seven years.► Saved $30M via the implementation of a new warehouse management system (WMS) to support facility expansion and improve customer response time and order accuracy. Vice President of Direct Imports► 20% margin life via increased capacity at distribution centers. ► Opened a 4.2 million square feet import facility in Texas with a third-party logistics partner.Vice President of Reverse Logistics► $10M in annual savings through cost-saving initiatives.► Reduced waste by $5 million via green initiatives to recycle plastic. ► Developed the DVD rental organization, which eventually sold to Netflix.

I was brought on by Amazon to help them start up their new 1 million sq ft. Amazon.com fulfillment center in Atlanta.I also led the implementation of various six sigma initiatives within Amazon’s distribution facilities throughout the United States, which allowed my "logistics scientist" side to flourish as we continually looked at ways (and data) to do things better and more efficiently.KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS► Implemented non-conveyable operations to reduce the strain on the conveyor operation.► Insourced fulfillment operations for Toys-R-US► Reached record throughput volumes during peak seasons

I started at the Gap after helping Walmart get started in grocery logistics (more on that above). The Gap was where I first exposed to the world of retail.I was responsible for the supply chain, logistics, and daily operations for their distribution centers in the United States.