Vanessa Gates Email & Phone Number

Kennesaw, Georgia, United States

Greater Atlanta Area

Strategy leader for the Sourcing, Purchasing and Vendor Management. Responsible for the development of enterprise-wide long-term sourcing, commodity and supplier strategies. Develop, document & implement sourcing and contract management methodologies, policies & procedures.

Duluth, Ga

Proactively lead purchasing operations for multiple global plant locations by balancing tactical and strategic priorities. Manage plant material supply chain with a $1.2 B spend to ensure acceptable inventory levels, continuity of supply, uninterrupted production and timely deliveries at minimal cost.

Rochester, New York Area

Senior Manager, Strategy/Operations Excellence 2012-2013•Established and managed a global team of 11 direct reports to implement a global program based on the GE Workout model called WorkSmart•Conducted over 40 events delivering in excess of $100M in savings and process improvement across Operations, IT, Sales and Marketing and Finance

Lithia Spring, Georgia

Managing a plant closure situation that involves process and systems improvement, business integration, cultural change, and employee relations. In parallel, responsible for planning manufacturing production schedules, and master schedule to meet delivery dates. Analyzing plant capacity and determining materials, tools, and human resource requirements. Plan and schedule workflow for each department and operation. Project management of long term customer orders. •Through the utilization of rapid workout tools and employee participation, reduced late customer order backlog from $2.5 M to $199,000.00 first two months.•Through similar techniques, reduced late purchase orders from $800K to <$170K in first two months which contributed to on time delivery of customer orders.•Evaluated, hired and distributed workload for the success of the planning functions.•Working closely with executive management and corporate functions to assure a smooth transition of people and processes during plant closure.

Director, Global Supply Chain Managed the entire complement of Supply Chain Management in NA and EuropeAccountable for $75MM spend across 6 locations worldwide including sourcing of components and finished goods; actively participating in "right sourcing" of commodities across the globe. Supervised 20 employees globally FY2010 year, achieved $2.1MM in savings through negotiations and opportunity buying.Led a global Supply Chain team that introduced a new, innovative interactive electronic porcelain white board on time and within budget that is currently realizing 35% growth year on year at high marginsSet in place new global supply chain strategies and value streams to accommodate the pipeline of new product introductions and implemented purchasing strategies that saved over $3.5MM last fiscal year, , importing from Belgium, Sweden, China etc... and exporting from the US to EMEA and APAC regions; very familiar with currencies and doing business in an international environment; realized over $1MM annually in pre buy activity and negotiation primarily around ultra low carbon specialty steelNegotiated and sold a part of the business that no longer fit the company realizing a sales price that was $1MM over original offer.Participated as a team member in decision and implementing the closing of three plants. Conducted complex plant analysis of optimum placement of product and subsequent product moves between plants/countries; decision analysis includes bringing product in-house and also out-sourcing of product Impact player through collaboration with other areas of the business to reduce headcount without adversely effecting performance quality.Reduced strike inventories and reduced working capital by $8MM in 11 months while maintaining lead times and on time delivery to customers. Managed multi-country value streams (Japan, China, Sweden, US, EU)

A $3.2 billion, worldwide leading manufacturer of work environments with products in furniture systems and other related products and services; Responsible for the purchasing and materials management, with a staff of buyers and planners, for a manufacturing facility with multiple product lines.Responsible for all sourcing activities and materials management for new product development and existing product.Maintained and developed relationships with a supplier base using lean techniques that resulted in lower inventory dollars while maintain a constant, high fill rate of 98%. Programs included Kanban and point of use inventory replenishments systems.2001 - Reduced warehouse floor space by 30% through negotiations of supply agreements . Facilitated negotiations that resulted in cost savings in excess of $2M in 2002Led initiative to increase inventory turns from 13 to 25.Established proper MRP parameters and inventory control systems to support reduction of inventory levels by more than 45%.Responsible for writing of Purchasing policy and procedures to conform to ISO-9000 standards where no existed prior my coming to Revest.

Managed and administered all procurement activity from proposal, source selection, negotiation, contract award, cost control and process improvement for two facilities. Held several positions during my tenure of 15 years.Primary focus were major new construction and site consolidation with contract values in excess of $2MAdministered contract for Boeing 747 Program shipping containers with a contract value of $6M.Focal point for all Purchasing internal, external and Boeing audits.Negotiated and administered all major site service contracts, including cafeteria services, contract labor, calibration, medical services, office supplies and production.Active in developing a program of procurement statistical process control guidelines, resulting in the first Boeing Team Leader, and a charter member of the Total Quality Advisory Committee.Initiated and established the start-up of the Georgia Production Site Procurement Department and developed appropriate charters and procedures.