Responsible for delivering $1M in negotiated cost savings through commodity analysis and cost change negotiations Perform and oversee the merchandise auction process; meet with relevant teams, delegate the collection of SKU specifications, communicate with all relevant suppliers, analyze cost, freight and associated to determine the best course of actionPartner with Category Managers, and Line of Business Leadership to develop category and line of business sourcing strategies for achieving overall financial goals for margin, sales, inventory turn and in-stockDevelop pre-negotiation strategy and positions; analyze cost proposals including the elements of cost, i.e. raw material, direct labor and general and administrative ratesReview supplier offers to determine the business value through all phases of the negotiation process maximizing results while minimizing the risk to the portfolioAct as the liaison between the merchandising and other functional areas of the business in strategic or special project situations; identify areas of disconnect in goals and work toward satisfactory resolutionCommunicate updates of ongoing negotiations to Senior Leadership

Managed 1600+ SKUS to ensure products are in compliance with all regulatory, safety and performance requirements in support of Category financial goals in both Consumables and Discretionary ~ $1.1B in annual sales.Provided support to internal buying & sourcing teams during the merchandise auction process by making recommendations based on full analysis of supplier product samples and past test history, to ensure product quality aligns with bid results.Attended weekly meetings with Merchant teams and Global Sourcing Product Managers to review upcoming schematic plans to determine quality testing needs, as well as timelines to ensure speed to shelf.Developed and delivered training to internal team members to support the company synergy savings goal of $1.5 million Collaborated with suppliers to improve testing efficiencies and provide cost savings across multiple categoriesIdentified opportunities with lab partners to continuously improve processes

Created and managed QA Consumables Tracking Report to include current status of annual product testing, as well as all finished product specifications for over 2,000 consumable SKUSReviewed and reported product quality testing results from 3rd party labs to suppliers, internal business teams, merchant teams and Global SourcingProvided weekly status updates on quality testing and product specification collection to all necessary internal teams to ensure alignment on timelines and product launchesProcessed and organized all 3rd party lab required paperwork, including test request forms per product category, and shipped samples to respective labs to ensure timely execution of quality testing

Assisted divisional merchants in building private brand portfolio through coordination of new item artwork with 3rd party art firms and quality testing with Family Dollar’s Quality and Compliance TeamManaged new projects through the artwork approval process with suppliers, merchants and the Private Brands branding team to ensure product speed to shelfInstrumental in building relationships with the merchant teams, suppliers and internal teams

Coordinator of work flow for Private Brand Quality Assurance Department covering in excess of 3,000 productsCreated and maintained the Monthly Private Brand Quality Assurance Tracking ReportScheduled and prepared facilities for tours by various groups including network mediaDesigned, administered and reported results from product preference panels

Assisted Food Lion buyers and private label vendors with purchase orders, i.e. tracking late orders, scheduling logistic appointments, vendor and item maintenance in the purchasing systemFiled customer claims with private label vendors; followed up with vendors and insurance companies when necessaryInitiated e-file for all private label complaints and claims that resulted in a significant money savings as well as time savings for the departmentOrganized and maintained the Private Label Master Vendor List on a quarterly basis

Commended by supervisor for excellent customer service skills and promoted to Customer ServiceClerk in May 2003Supervised 10-20 front end associates daily; assigning daily duties, scheduling lunches/breaks, andmonitoring store trafficAssisted customers at the service desk, i.e. money order transactions, check cashing, refunds and rainchecks as needed