Rick Smith Email & Phone Number

Columbus, Ohio, Us

Birmingham, Al, Us

Responsible for all network Logistics Operations for Books A Million and American Wholesale Book Co. distribution locations. Responsibilities include physical supply chain, e-commerce fulfillment, transportation (Dedicated fleet, Contract, International), call center, and local HR teams. Network supports a national retail footprint, as well as wholesale B2B and e-commerce customers. Leadership focus is on driving cultural safety and leadership changes that enhance associate experience, creating buy in and connection to the company goals and customer needs.

Greenville, Wi, Us

Responsible to lead, develop and implement functional and strategic vision for a 277k sq ft distribution center network (growing to >600k sq. ft. at peak) flexing from 220 to >900 associates during peak. Full P&L responsibility for operations and capital planning activities of a 25k sku, 59k line/day site with inventories exceeding $55 mil. Responsibilities also included developing local leadership, leveraging supply chain relationships with IT, product managers and suppliers, and leading project teams to drive improvements in cost, quality and safety.

Deerfield, Il, Us

Responsible for defining and deploying a Quality Strategy for USI Operations that builds organizational competence, significantly increases quality performance, and encompasses a global quality system that drives compliance and world class execution of service and processes. Responsible to lead quality initiatives and improvement in areas such as: In process quality, product launch, customer compliance process and analytics, Operations Supply Chain processes, creating consistent execution of standard processes for quality systems performance. Determine appropriate KPI’s to measure and improve USI Operations quality performance for customers, suppliers, and internal processes including cost or poor quality while Ensuring the voice of the customer and process is an integral part of the strategies and solutions.

Deerfield, Il, Us

Promoted to role with P & L and logistics responsibility for 22 Operations across 3 Business units representing over $5mil in daily shipped sales. Distribution Network includes 3.2 million sq ft, 14 physical facilities with over 800 exempt and non-exempt associates. Also responsible to direct, measure and coordinate strategic national operations team covering inventory control and engineering operational processes. Establish annual budgeting, cost and productivity projects, lead local and regional operations management teams to track, attain and evaluate success of annual cost savings projects. Responsible for developing and attracting high caliber talent and fostering a High Performance business culture.

Deerfield, Il, Us

Promoted and relocated to Chicago, Reporting to the Sr VP of Operations, responsible for all tactical and strategic corporate and field based operational initiatives and efforts including Quality, Operational Processes, Vendor Relations, Supplier Relations, Inventory Control, Work Measurement, Customer Based Initiatives, Metrics Development and project rationalization. Responsible for linking Operational Excellence Initiatives to annualized budget, quality and service level forecasts.

Deerfield, Il, Us

Recruited from UPS to United Stationers. Directed all local logistics and supply chain fulfillment activities in a 654k sq ft, 32k sku, multi-business unit facility. Full P&L accountability for sales, merchandise cost of sales, associate relations, security, maintenance, equipment and national and regional fleet transportation operations. Responsible to plan, execute, monitor and improve safety, quality and productivity (cost) performance. Directly managed customer and supplier relationships growing sales, enhancing customer experience, and improving supplier performance. • Improved OSHA safety frequency over the 4 year period• Attained positive associate relations results through employee feedback and roundtable sessions• Reduced year over year variable operating cost per unit 4 years in a row• Increased overall facility productivity for 4 consecutive years (2004 23%, 2005, 14%)• Grew facility profitability for 4 consecutive years and exceeded plan by >30% for 2 years• Negotiated 3rd party fleet transportation contracts for RDC saving 11% over previous contract• Implemented 150,000 sq ft imports re-distribution operation integrated into current facility. Launched national global imports mixing center in existing facility operations ~1200 containers/year

Alpharetta, Ga, Us

Promoted to role to Manage and lead Relationship directors for 3rd Party Distribution, Dedicated Fleet, Multi-modal and Global Transportation Network Management accounts. Directed 3rd party customer call center for 7 accounts and coordination of time critical NFO services. Responsible for performing regular business reviews with accounts including, Applied Materials, Nike.com, HP, Kodak, Lexmark, Eaton, GE Medical, Honeywell. Developed customer retention strategies serving as primary negotiator with key accounts involving pricing, site selection and service proposals. • Responsible for 3PL sales growth of $25 mil expanding International ops in Japan• Retained $15mil/year Key customer through pricing and service negotiations• Recognized as Top Operations contributor to 3PL sales growth at national sales meeting• Managed 3pl relationships representing over $250mil in annual logistics revenue• Directed pricing and engineering analysis teams during strategic customer engagements

Alpharetta, Ga, Us

Promoted to role to Manage a multi-site logistics network for UPS Supply Chain’s largest DCs for Honeywell CPG (Fram, Autolite, Prestone) in KY and NV. The network utilized a Rapistan sortation system, a fully integrated TMS and JD Edwards WMS. The 1 mil sq ft network held $60,000,000 in on hand inventory, 7,200 SKUs and shipped $2,400,000 per day (135,000 cartons). Primary responsibilities were to coordinate, manage and direct fully integrated Logistics Network including WMS and TMS optimization. Provided value added solutions to re-engineer logistics network through the use of Lean and 6 Sigma. • Participated as contributing facility in GAO review of Best Practices in Inventory Management, operations cited as “Leading Edge” with procedures documented by GAO• Reduced overall expense per unit for 4 consecutive years (-7.78%, -8.94%, -8.63%, -4.5%)• Reduced net transportation expense year over year (-$4.7mil, -$5.7mil, -$4.1mil, -$2.3mil)• Implemented facility capital lighting projects reducing electrical costs in Nevada facility by 35%• Trained by Honeywell in Lean and 6 Sigma

Alpharetta, Ga, Us

Promoted and relocated to provide Engineering, Financial, and Quality leadership at a 1,000,000 sq. ft 3PL network involving 2 facilities with on-site customer interaction. Developed and implemented work measurement accountability tools, reporting, and communication tools for receiving, inventory control, and 6 Sigma Quality. Developed daily productivity planning tools for $25mil annual operation, daily operating routines to assist in maintaining high levels of service, cost, and continuous improvement.• Direct Reports included Engineering, Quality, Inventory Control, Finance• Implemented WMS logic enhancements improving facility throughput by 20%• Improved facility productivity 40% through revised product slotting and replenishment strategy• Attained consistent 99.94% net unit accuracy, avoided full physical inventory by PWC• Improved inventory location accuracy from 85% to 95%• Implemented quality sampling program based on 6 Sigma philosophies to improve order quality

Atlanta, Ga, Us

Directed development of integrated operating plans for national small package accounts impacting Air, Rail, and Ground transportation networks. Created comprehensive operating plans and contingency alternatives with Top 125 volume accounts. Integrated customer capacity throughput needs with internal regional and national operations planning teams. Prepared network optimization plan including scheduling and of aircraft, as well as rail and truck movements with Traffic and Distribution Managers of accounts, to maintain service at lowest possible operating costs. Provide network optimization support to National Industrial Engineering department. Assisted Business Development functions in incentive and discount analysis for large accounts.

Atlanta, Ga, Us