Director of Facilities & Procurement

• Nov 2021 - Present

Director of Procurement / Business Development

• Feb 2020 - Nov 2021

• Improved order fill rate by 20% in Y1 and have sustained an average fill rate of 94%. • Reduced excess stock levels by 15%, reducing overall stock holding by 6%• Achieved improved vendor on-time deliveries by 25%.• Reduced lead time for domestic goods by 1.5 days and international goods by 6 days. Total shipping/freight spend for goods reduced by 5% during same period through diversification of logistics network, ensuring solution options critical to situational needs.• Improved ERP Data Purity metric by 14%, achieving 99% purity through newly implemented protocols and standards.• Added over 1.6K new SKUs to existing catalog of 4K+ items, increasing rate of annual new item additions by over 250% spearheading company initiative to capture new trend markets and enhance customer engagement.• Negotiated pricing and production contracts with key suppliers to ensure reliable supply flow while maintaining competitive pricing and profit margin.• Developed new revenue opportunities through creative sourcing of in-demand trends and private label production with OEM manufacturers.• Created vendor and logistics provider performance audit criteria to establish clear expectations, processes and goals. Show less

Purchasing & Business Development Manager

• Apr 2018 - Feb 2020

• Coordinate and track foreign freight consolidations with various forwarders in Europe for FCL and LCL ocean shipments as well as air freight.• Analyze cost of goods and set pricing of goods based on market and foreign exchange rate. • Utilize SAGE ERP software and SAGE Inventory Advisor application to review, analyze and forecast inventory, enter and track purchase orders.• Negotiated bulk quantity buys and contract commitments, achieving increased profit margin, improved lead times and control of inventory-on-hand levels.• Developed and implemented processes for drop ship, work orders, receiving, foreign freight consolidation, and purchase order entry and tracking. Show less

New Product Development Manager

• Jan 2017 - Apr 2018

• Evaluate new products, determining product fit and supply chain viability.• Develop vendor relationships ensuring a high level of service, business growth, and negotiated contracts.• Coordinate logistics solutions for both domestic and imported goods, including ocean and air freight.• Develop and implement ERP process workflows, such as for new product on-boarding.

Business Development Consultant - Sourcing, Sales, Distribution and Retail Operations

• Oct 2015 - Dec 2016

• Advised ten clients–including food CPG producers, farms and produce distributors–on developing a sustainable and operational business through traditional distribution and direct sale models. • Collaborated with chefs and retailers to advise emerging food producer and farmer clients on product line expansion and competitive market positioning. • Evaluated and recommended distribution and operational solutions customized to the producer’s business stage and reach goals. • Advised ten clients–including food CPG producers, farms and produce distributors–on developing a sustainable and operational business through traditional distribution and direct sale models. • Collaborated with chefs and retailers to advise emerging food producer and farmer clients on product line expansion and competitive market positioning. • Evaluated and recommended distribution and operational solutions customized to the producer’s business stage and reach goals.

New Vendor Development & Specialty Produce Sourcing Specialist

• Oct 2014 - Oct 2015

• Spearheaded a newly created initiative, Locally Sourced, a distribution mechanism and sales outlet for small farmers. • Increased specialty and local seasonal product restaurant and grocery customers across the same network. • Onboarded and managed purchasing from nearly 30 small and local farms, adding over 200 new specialty produce SKU’s to the company’s offerings, most of which are still being offered to date. • Advised farmers through vendor onboarding requirements and documentation, pricing, logistics and seasonal forecasting. • Balanced inventory of highly perishable specialty goods from the West Coast through nimble logistics management, booking full container truck shipments for cost efficiency, followed up by air shipments to ensure timely supply, reducing waste and increasing profitability. • Trained marketing and sales teams on specialty produce and food trends to increase customer engagement and sales. Show less

General Manager & Strategic Sourcing Manager

• Feb 2012 - May 2014

• Directed all elements of a specialty retail butcher and grocery business including product selection and procurement, store layout and aesthetic, brand positioning, social media and website marketing, customer experience, facilities maintenance and leading a 12-member staff. • Managed employee lifecycle, reducing turnover by 40%, thereby securing succession planning to supervisory roles. • Reduced labor costs (by 12% in Y1) through workplace efficiencies and scheduling while also championing initiatives to improve team morale, product knowledge and customer service. • Achieved consistent year-end profitability through increased sales and reduced operating costs. • Initiated business strategy recommendations to leadership based on analysis of P&L reporting, sales forecasting, and sales goals. • Built a network of over 120 vendors and suppliers, creating a diverse, quality, on-trend product mix. • Liaised between chefs and suppliers, providing sourcing solutions for 6 entity restaurant group. Show less

Production Coordinator–Auction Catalogs

• Aug 2004 - Jan 2012

• Managed concurrent long-term project deadlines for 60+ catalogs per year through all stages of execution. • Quoted and negotiated with vendor network to meet budget and distribution targets, reporting directly to finance and business development leadership. • Collaborated with our multi-department team to ensure timely execution of best-in-class product and service to meet and exceed high-profile client expectations. • Managed concurrent long-term project deadlines for 60+ catalogs per year through all stages of execution. • Quoted and negotiated with vendor network to meet budget and distribution targets, reporting directly to finance and business development leadership. • Collaborated with our multi-department team to ensure timely execution of best-in-class product and service to meet and exceed high-profile client expectations.

Line Cook

• Mar 2009 - Sep 2010

• Prepare and execute daily changing menu of seasonal and sustainable ingredients in bustling, fast-paced kitchen. • Earned paid position on staff after starting as volunteer intern with no prior formal culinary training. • Progression of Stations worked: Prep Cook, Oysters/Charcuterie, Garde Manger, Grill. • Trained new hires and interns on job tasks and responsibilities and also on kitchen etiquette and safety. • Requested to work special events off-site, including Just Food’s Let Us Eat Local, Le Fooding and Central Park Summerstage (2010 season) Show less

Director of Operations

• Jan 2000 - Aug 2004

• Executed daily planning of production workflow of 15 pressroom and bindery staff to meet output demands while adhering to strict union schedules and policies. • Managed an average of 20 projects a day, overseeing design, printing, finishing/bindery and quality assurance of all deliverables. • Executed daily planning of production workflow of 15 pressroom and bindery staff to meet output demands while adhering to strict union schedules and policies. • Managed an average of 20 projects a day, overseeing design, printing, finishing/bindery and quality assurance of all deliverables.