Category Strategy & Planning:Develop and execute a comprehensive strategy to drive growth, profitability, and market share for the category. Ensure alignment with broader company goals and adjust plans based on evolving market conditions.Market Analysis & Trends:Monitor and analyze market trends, customer insights, competitor activity, and industry shifts. Leverage data-driven insights to inform key decisions on product assortment, pricing strategies, and promotional initiatives.Supplier & Vendor Management:Manage relationships with key suppliers and vendors, negotiating contracts, pricing, and delivery terms. Identify opportunities for cost reduction, enhanced supplier performance, and improved collaboration.Product Portfolio Management:Oversee the product assortment, making strategic, data-driven decisions on product introductions, phase-outs, and adjustments. Optimize product offerings to maximize sales performance and meet market demand.Sales & Performance Analysis:Track and evaluate category performance, including sales, margins, inventory levels, and stock turnover. Provide actionable insights and reporting to continuously improve category outcomes and drive growth.Cross-Functional Collaboration:Work closely with internal teams, including sales, marketing, merchandising, and supply chain, to align on key initiatives, including promotional calendars, marketing campaigns, and inventory management strategies.Budget & Financial Management:Develop and manage the category budget of $16.4 million, ensuring financial targets and margins are achieved. Track and report on P&L performance, currently on track to save $600k in 2024 through strategic cost management and efficiency initiatives.Customer & Stakeholder Focus:Stay attuned to customer preferences and market demands, translating insights into actionable category strategies. Ensure alignment with the needs and expectations of internal stakeholders, customers, and external partners.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities- Establish and implement purchasing instructions, policies and procedures.- Control purchasing department budgets.- Coordinate the work and activities of the department and others. - Identify ways to reduce costs and take actions that are focused on creating greater efficiencies, economies of sale or better quality resources for the purchasing department.- Create and manage inventory levels and lead times, with a goal to reduce inventory and warehousing costs by bringing in materials just in time.- Take a proactive approach to assessing current costs versus market conditions. Proactively initiate negotiations to reduce costs or secure rebates on existing items.- Develop supplier qualification process to efficiently and effectively onboard new suppliers and achieve sustainable relationships.- Build strong relationships with suppliers.- Monitor and improve supplier performance for delivery, price and quality via the vendor scorecard process- Work with the quality and planning teams to coordinate timely disposition and corrective actions for non-conforming purchased materials.- Collect market and cost information to prepare market analysis reports for major commodities; provide up-to-date information on suppliers, costs, quality, and the like that potentially could impact operations or profitability. Work closely with operations and cost estimators.- Drive cost savings initiatives for assigned categories; establish and meet cost reduction and performance goals.- Identify and propose alternate materials to mitigate risk and reduce costs. Work closely with the research & development team and take the lead on implementing alternative materials.- Manage and perform the costing process for new chemical formulation quotes.

Purchasing:- Lead a team of two buyers- Issue purchase orders to domestic and international suppliers for finished goods, equipment, supplies and/or services via purchase requisitions and plan deliveries for our manufacturing facility - Select goods and services, enforce compliance, receive and reconcile invoicing and payment- Assist in implementing long-term cost reductions, cost containment, and cost control strategies to fit specific strategic supply partnerships or commodities- Uphold all supply chain policies, procedures, guidelines, and instructions regarding the procurement and category strategies of materials- Represent the sourcing department on cross-functional corporate teams- Communicate requirements to suppliers to meet schedules, while maintaining good supplier relationships- Skillful negotiations with external suppliers- Conduct problem resolution and settle disputes, develop win-win solutions, and create positive relations with tact and sound judgment with suppliers- Communicate risks associated with manufacturing timelines that could negatively impact customer expectations (both internal and external) on a proactive basis- Create purchase orders, purchased parts records, and maintain supplier information Warehouse: - Supervise daily warehouse activities, including quality assurance, inventory control, space management, logistics, floor productivity, shipping, and customer serviceSchedule and oversee warehouse team, and manage the flow and quality of work to maximize efficiency and minimize overtime- Inspect equipment, tools, and machinery regularly, and oversee general maintenance when necessaryMeet regularly with warehouse leads to analyze productivity and develop actionable plans for loss prevention- Oversee and manage logistics for transporting products to customers and company facilities, communicating with drivers and air partners to ensure efficient delivery of packages

At Premier Marine I was responsible for several core corporate initiatives. Those goals included but are not limited to cost down, Epicor (ERP Software) onboarding, engineering development projects, and transition planning. I am pleased to say that I have achieved all goals & initiatives designed by leadership and continue to excel. I have been directly responsible for planning, implementing and moderating cost down initiatives for the purchasing department. I am also responsible for on boarding the purchasing department with Epicor. Additionally, I spearhead development projects with our engineering team, most notably the development of Premier Marine's first standardized wiring harness. Finally, I am passionate about efficiently transitioning our vendors to our new state of the art 180,000 sqft facility which opened in August 2022.

At Northern Lights Automotive Group I was promoted through roles of increased scope and accountability, advancing from Virgil's Automotive Clinic to my new role with our sister company, Northern Lights Automotive as Director of Operations.Within my role as Director of Operations I spearheaded internal structure of organization in line with corporate objectives. I collaborated with senior management to devise strategic plans to promote business advancement; coordinated daily operations and ensured streamline process. I supervised staff from various departments; conducted progress management; and administered training and support. Finally, I proposed and developed future business locations, in addition to supporting building initiatives.Key Accomplishments• Successfully executed a $52M building and acquisition of dealership group

Being an Accounts Executive I led the primary interface for a diversified client base. Managed new customer acquisitions and client retention. I conducted market analysis to identify client needs and implement data into effective marketing campaigns. Administered exceptional customer care for service and troubleshooting. Facilitated contract negotiation, information assistance, and maintained position as customer advocate. Liaised with Ricoh (Metro Sales) to establish value and expand marketplace inclusivity.Key Accomplishments• Accomplished top account executive for three consecutive quarters.• Maintained position in top five sales executives within company.• Awarded Dale Carnegie Leadership in Sales.

Championing the role of Express Program Manager, I tracked team surveys and analyzed trends to identify areas of improvement. Created opportunity to recognize exceptional employee service. Oversaw staff management of 28 service employees. Maintained primary interface for escalated customer service complaints. Managed financial health, quality, and reputation of the express department. Collaborated with Senior Management Advisor to establish strategic growth initiatives. Presented success of Express program to students, faculty, and community business owners at Labovitz School of Business. Experienced using Subaru net software tool designed to manage overall customer satisfaction.Key Accomplishment• Launched express program, boosting monthly profits for service department that averaged $300K.• Invited by University of Minnesota as guest speaker• Acquired experience utilizing Subaru net software tool designed to manage customer satisfaction