Nathan Cray's Location
New York City Metropolitan Area, United States, United States
Nathan Cray's Contact Details
Nathan Cray work email
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Nathan Cray personal email
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About Nathan Cray
My guiding principles revolve around practical value creation and a deep-seated commitment to driving transformative change. I believe that galvanizing cross-functional teams and fostering a customer-centric mindset are integral to achieving—and exceeding—performance targets in today's highly competitive markets.As an accomplished executive, my expertise spans the intricacies of global supply chains and multi-channel retail operations, encompassing strategic planning, financial analysis, organizational design, and change management. I excel in sourcing strategy, network design, international and domestic logistics, trade compliance, warehouse management, merchandise planning, inventory management, and team development. My comprehensive understanding of these areas equips me to navigate complex operational landscapes and deliver scalable solutions.My career is underscored by significant achievements. At Claire's, I devised the inaugural supply chain strategy for a $45M global operation and revitalized a critical digital transformation project. At Tecovas, I introduced a multi-year sourcing strategy that added 25% more production capacity and negotiated transformative 3PL warehouse expansions. My tenure at ALDO Group saw cost reductions of $40M through strategic restructuring and the establishment of a global direct sourcing capability driving margin improvements.I am driven to leverage my extensive experience to support and grow branded businesses. Whether through expert advisory roles, leading transformative programs, or fostering a culture of excellence, my goal is to create significant value for organizations. Let’s connect and explore how my strategic insights and hands-on leadership can help elevate your operations and drive sustainable growth.
Nathan Cray's Current Company Details
Crayore Llc
Consultant
New York, NY, US
Nathan Cray Work Experience Details
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ConsultantCrayore LlcNew York, Ny, Us
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Evp And Chief Supply Chain OfficerClaire'S Mar 2023 - Jul 2024Hoffman Estates, Il, UsHead of suppy chain, merchandise planning, and allocation at $1.5B multi-channel international retailer of branded jewelry and fashion accessories.- Crafted the first company supply chain strategy for $45M global operation, moving 250M units and 20,000 SKUs into North American, European, and Middle Eastern markets for retail, e-commerce, concession, and franchise distribution.- Assumed executive leadership of overdue and over-budget digital transformation of planning and allocation, reinvigorating the program and successfully launching demand planning, forecasting, and allocation in the critical fourth quarter.- Oversaw distribution model transition from push-to-store to a demand-based pull operation with no capital investment while maintaining efficiency levels.- Professionalized DC operations across inventory accuracy, health and safety standards, and efficiency - improving throughput of concessions distribution by 250%.- Evolved supply chain culture, instituting customer service mindset, implementing metrics and standards emphasizing enterprise value, and injecting operations into cross-functional decision-making.- Adapted merchandise planning & inventory management organization and seasonal process to better serve swiftly changing customer preferences and emphasize inventory effectiveness from initial buy to end-of-life clearance strategies.- Designed and implemented S&OP process to improve capital efficiency of inventory and increase responsiveness to customer demand for rapidly expanding CPG business -
Chief Supply Chain OfficerTecovas Mar 2022 - Jan 2023Austin, Texas, UsExecutive overseeing supply chain, sourcing, and merchandise planning for a $175M digital native Western boot brand rapidly expanding in volume and physical retail footprint.- Championed and designed the first cross-functional seasonal calendar and workflow to rein in exception-based working norms and improve chaotic supplier relationships.- Developed a multi-year sourcing strategy and added 25% more production capacity to eliminate supply constraints - negotiated additional capacity, expanded the factory network, and launched an overseas production program without alienating the incumbent Mexican supply base.- Established a professional sourcing foundation to enable cost-effective expansion, including restructuring the Mexico organization, securing expanded sourcing office space, introducing costing and cost engineering, drafting a professional vendor manual, improving tracking mechanisms, and focusing on critical KPIs.- Negotiated 3PL warehouse extension and expansion, doubling floor space, revamping labor strategy, and introducing automation via conveyance and Locus Robotics.- Introduced inventory management capabilities and highlighted end-to-end supply-demand visibility to address inventory and working capital buildup. -
Svp, Supply Chain & OperationsAldo Group Jun 2019 - Mar 2022Montreal, Quebec, CaOwner of suppy chain operations for $1.5B footwear and accessories brand with distribution network extending across six continents. - Led global operations team with $124M budget moving 61M units serving retail, direct-to-consumer, wholesale, and franchise channels across 102 countries, via four domestic and international DCs.- Shed $40M in costs through rapid restructuring, including transition to owned and operated distribution center in Montréal - via rapid three-month WMS implementation - and shift to new 3PL facility in Yantian, China.- Renegotiated all major supply chain partner contracts over two months across 3PL, freight forwarders, and parcel delivery.- Owned corporate S&OP process, coordinating channels and foundational departments to maximize cash flow through integrated sales plans and tightly managed inventory levels.- Developed new customs strategy to reduce duty and tariff burden for U.S. and Canadian markets.- Managed supply and demand planning, order management, inbound logistics, customs, warehouse management, retail fulfillment and e-commerce delivery, and supply procurement. -
Vp, Production & Inventory ManagementAldo Group Sep 2017 - Jun 2019Montreal, Quebec, CaSourcing leader for European & Indian regions and leader integrating supply & demand planning following SAP implementation.- Designed S&OP process and integrated new supply and demand planning team.- Established global inventory management function, handling customer order fulfillment from constrained inventory across four DCs and effectively liquidating aged inventory.- Guided the order management team for branded businesses, covering 4,000 SKUs and 20,000 POs annually.- Oversaw European and Indian sourcing, including teams in Montréal and Spain, shifting from agent to direct partnerships.- Drove a 5% to 10% margin expansion program via product development and sourcing cost reductions.
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General Manager, Asia-PacificAldo Group Oct 2015 - Sep 2017Montreal, Quebec, CaDivision head responsible for the Asia market, including business development, sales, planning, and operations.- Owned Asia-Pacific P&L tasked to maximize growth with minimal corporate investment and exceeded profit targets by 87% and 56% in successive years.- Grew retail sales in APAC by 16% over two years from $99M to $111M.- Oversaw all channels, including franchise brick-and-mortar retail, dedicated e-commerce sites, marketplace e-commerce, and direct and indirect wholesale accounts.- Established permanent regional office and built entrepreneurial team in Hong Kong, in addition to managing APAC-focused team members in Canada, China, Malaysia, and India.
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General Manager, SourcingAldo Group Jul 2013 - Oct 2015Montreal, Quebec, CaSourcing leader, senior Asian-based company representative, and local office manager for newly established direct sourcing function out of Dongguan, China.- Established direct sourcing capability, beginning with no true design, product development, or sourcing talent and little supporting process or system infrastructure.- Grew operation from 5% to 41% of total company production volume representing 13.2M units in footwear and handbags.- Improved efficiency from 8.6% overhead as percentage of product cost to under 4.0%.- Established new direct factory base to meet wide-range of category and price-point needs that fulfilled customer demands on styling, quality, delivery, and price.- Expanded the global team from 42 to 105 people, including the Canadian technical design and in-region team in Dongguan, with support in Wenzhou, China, and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
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Director, Corporate StrategyAldo Group Feb 2010 - Jun 2013Montreal, Quebec, CaStrategic advisor to CEO and leader of corporate strategy team overseeing long-term planning, M&A opportunities, and critical operational improvement projects.- Developed the long-term strategic plan and financial pro forma spanning US, Canadian, and UK retail; wholesale; and international franchise businesses, from overarching corporate vision to business unit strategy and financial objectives.- Led internal merger and acquisition teams from the facilitation of initial opportunity reviews to detailed due diligence and financial modeling, including coordination with external advisors.- Reviewed business performance to ensure progress against revenue targets and effective management of capital and expenses and guide annual budgeting cycle as member of Executive Finance Committee.- Managed Corporate Strategy department and supported other departments as needed on strategic financial analysis, operational process improvement, and business development.St
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Engagement ManagerBooz & Company / Katzenbach Partners Llc Aug 2007 - Feb 2010Strategy consultant focused on interwining corporate strategy with cultural acceptance and reinforcement to ensure effective execution.- Identified $50M in annual cost savings opportunities through analysis of procurement / payroll operations and assessment of political feasibility, reporting directly to Mayor- Prepared detailed business case, including initial assessment, recommendations, detailed ROI model, and implementation plan to consolidate payroll across all City departments while delicately addressing extensive bureaucratic hurdles, including civil service protections and political territorialism- Led an extensive strategic planning assignment with the Texas High School Project, a public-private alliance of major educational stakeholders with grant programs and assets exceeding $300M- Assessed the strategic, political, and philanthropic direction of national and Texas educationFacilitated the convergence of visions across opinionated stakeholders, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Office of the Governor, Dell Foundation, and Texas Education Agency to drive a unified plan- Identified and assessed impact of savings opportunities of $70M over four months, including price adjustments, monthly to annual contract conversions, marketing reduction, and operational cut-backs- Led small- and medium-business retail team through their first customer segmentation analysis that guided critical decisions in organizational redesign and marketing spend allocation- Analyzed sales representative performance on a grid of close rate versus opportunity pipeline and quantified $25M in additional sales potential- Designed and initiated a competency-based development program tailoring training to individual needs
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Senior ConsultantKurt Salmon Associates Jan 2001 - Jan 2005New York, Ny, UsRetail and consumer products consultant focused on product development and sourcing programs touching people, process, and systems.- Overhauled supply chain by integrating forecasting capabilities with line planning and capacity / materials planning functions resulting in $35 million cost savings- Outlined blueprint and integrated new demand planning organization to support all corporate divisions- Designed new wholesale organization and end-to-end process building upon existing planning, product development, sourcing, and retail infrastructure- Enabled 300% sales growth in one year by adapting VMI business for footwear wholesaler to improve delivery performance for largest account – resulting in accurate, on-time warehouse delivery- Led team that assessed product development infrastructure for private brand. Designed a unified process and organizational structure along with product lifecycle management system and brand realignment- Project was on schedule to increase sales 2x / $200M within two years- Analyzed domestic and international segments to reduce overhead and improve role clarity by function. Identified over $6 million in cost savings- Streamlined global sourcing through process, software, and structural recommendations across New York, Hong Kong, Florence and Prado, Italy operations
Nathan Cray Education Details
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University Of California, Berkeley, Haas School Of BusinessStrategy And Marketing -
Texas A&M UniversityMechanical Engineering
Frequently Asked Questions about Nathan Cray
What company does Nathan Cray work for?
Nathan Cray works for Crayore Llc
What is Nathan Cray's role at the current company?
Nathan Cray's current role is Consultant.
What is Nathan Cray's email address?
Nathan Cray's email address is na****@****res.com
What schools did Nathan Cray attend?
Nathan Cray attended University Of California, Berkeley, Haas School Of Business, Texas A&m University.
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