 Provide overall leadership and direction for the Strategic Planning Team, which includes strategic planning, analytics, and supplier relationship management, Contractor Qualification, and Supplier Diversity. Direct the development of market reporting and forecasting that provides sourcing direction and customer forecasting. Develop a streamlined North American Air Liquide approach for market forecast review.  Perform macro economic analysis and has the ability to understand key metrics and trends impacting global supply chain. Report on projects or key assignments as related to larger initiatives via North American Platform, including identification of key issues, analysis, development of hypothesis and conclusions and presentation of findings. Prepare reports on Supply Chain cost savings and reporting both internally and externally. Responsible for proactively communicating the supplier relationship management program to all levels of management and zone colleagues. Maintain strong lines of communication with Strategic Sourcing/Category Management, other Supply Chain departments, key customer groups, and other relevant departments. Collaborate with engineering, field operations, and operations services, legal and administrative departments to design and implement creative solutions to maximize supply chain effectiveness. Participate in reviewing emerging opportunities within the supply community and acting as an advisor to management. Make recommendations on process improvements in Supply Chain practices. Develop short and long range strategic analysis to enhance the effectiveness of supply chain management that aligns with the organizations strategic plan.  Optimize department operations and performance of individuals. Train, manage, coach and counsel team, as needed.

 Developed and implemented 360° Supplier Relationship Management Program to monitor performance of top strategic suppliers. o Gained support of executive leaders as program sponsors. Create balanced scorecards for 360° evaluations of suppliers and Company. Analyze evaluation results, and organize formal business review materials. Facilitate formal business review meetings with key stakeholders and executive leader participation from suppliers and Company. Standardize robust program to be utilized for benchmarking performance of strategic suppliers. Continuously enhance program through implementation of industry best practices. Maintain strong lines of communication with suppliers, key stakeholders and multiple levels of supplier and company executive management. Lead training of North America supply chain teams with SRM best practices and evaluation platform utilization.

 Developed and implemented Small Business and Supplier Diversity programs. Created interactive self-certification form to collect and maintain supplier demographic information for reporting. Adhere to all Small Business Administration (SBA) program requirements to stay in compliance with federal contracts. Provide training to key stakeholders and suppliers for comprehension of program requirements. Analyze quarterly supplier spend and produce Supplier Diversity Spend Report for sales managers to utilize for Prime customer contractual reporting compliance. Analyze yearly supplier spend to produce Summary Subcontracting Report (SSR) for SBA program reporting compliance. Maintain strong lines of communications with SBA Market Representative, Prime customer representatives, suppliers and key stakeholders to ensure the utilization of small and diverse suppliers is a priority for the Company.

 Developed and implemented Conflict Minerals Procedure in response to reporting requirements of the Dodd-Frank Act. Continuously monitor legal updates of Dodd-Frank, RoHS, REACH, etc. to ensure company accurately reports supply chain information to customers. Maintain strong lines of communication with Company legal representatives to ensure statements of Company supply chain information are compliant with Company standards. Monitor U.S. suppliers’ compliance to third party CSR evaluations utilized in Company’s Annual Report. Lead training of North America supply chain teams with CSR best practices and legal updates.

 Prepared supplier profiles and performance recaps for quarterly business review (QBR) meetings between strategic suppliers and internal El Paso stakeholders. Organized and conducted quarterly business reviews (QBR’s) to discuss suppliers’ adherence to standardized metrics. Continuously monitored strategic supplier performance and provided recommendations for improving effectiveness. Benchmarked critical key performance indicators (KPI’s) for services and materials and made recommendations for new strategic agreements. Monitored suppliers’ financial stability through SEC filings, RSS feeds, earnings calls, alerts, etc. and provided notification to internal stakeholders of financially “at-risk” suppliers. Monitored and maintained supplier qualification process to ensure suppliers met El Paso’s standards of safety and performance. Optimized strategic agreements by networking with appropriate parties to foresee future needs in strategic categories and facilitate discussions within the Supply Chain Management (SCM) department. Presented Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) program to contractors at annual Environmental Health & Safety Forum conference.

 Monitored, validated and captured monthly value creation that was reported to Director of Sourcing and Vice President of Supply Chain. Published quarterly market overview to internal stakeholders highlighting government and private sector data and economic trends. Produced end-of-month reports calculating actual and projected sourcing savings by category. Collected, compiled and conducted supplier performance review process. Analyzed spend data to recognize top vendor alliances for publications utilized by El Paso CEO and top management. Reviewed contract termination rights, assignments, terms and conditions, etc. to verify El Paso’s rights under strategic agreements. Took the lead for all new processes, support system implementation and training for the Sourcing team.  Provided overall analytical support to the Sourcing team through market research, savings assessments, internal process optimization, etc.

 Sourced and negotiated key item commodities to drive high profit margins and maintain supplier relationships through monthly market trips to New York. Created, utilized and executed assortment planning tool that recommended purchase costs and quantities to maximize product savings. Turned around failing category and increased sales by 25% in two years by aggressively analyzing suppliers, products and stores along with strategic cost negotiations. Analyzed historical data and current trends to identify future opportunities and current risks. Developed, executed and communicated financial plans that supported Stage Stores’ objectives. Identified risks and opportunities to business and recommended strategies to achieve financial goals. Continuously analyzed, evaluated and renegotiated supplier products and contracts to ensure optimum savings and identify new opportunities. Managed team of category specialist(s), analyst(s) and/or administrative assistant(s).

 Negotiated commercial terms including product specifications, costs, payment terms, shipping logistics and rebates. Traveled internationally and domestically to source new suppliers, develop assortments and maintain supplier relationships. International locations include Hong Kong, mainland China, Taiwan, Philippines and Mexico. Grew category responsibility by 200% in three years by negotiating lower costs, exceeding financial plans and acquiring additional categories. Established new rebate program with key suppliers to assist with end of year profit margins. Developed, executed and communicated financial plans that supported Garden Ridge’s objectives. Presented strategies in bi-annual meetings to company leaders including CEO, CFO and board members. Managed team of category specialist(s), analyst(s) and/or administrative assistant(s).

 Completed year long executive training program focusing on o Contract, cost and product negotiations o Strategic sourcing o Supplier relationship management o Category and market analysis Assisted with management of team of category specialist(s), analyst(s) and/or administrative assistant(s).

 Managed sales team of 50+ Flagship store employees to drive sales while maintaining a high level of customer service. Continuously exceeded daily, weekly, monthly and yearly sales goals.