Experience

DS Group Advisors LLC

• United States
• Business Consulting and Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Principal Consultant

  • Sep 2020 - Present

  Founder and Principal Consultant leading procurement engagements with global manufacturers for exceptional earnings, cash, and value improvements, and better supplier relationships for a competitive advantage. Services include an overall company procurement spend & savings benchmark assessment or any of these services: Procurement Strategy/Structure, Global Commodity Teams/Strategies, Savings/Value Roadmaps, Strategic Sourcing, Negotiations, Other (Sales, Legal, IATF Audits, Executive-In-Residence). Want to nearshore by growing your sourcing in Mexico to reduce supply chain risk? Our Lead Consultant in Mexico and I are happy to have a Discovery Call to discuss your challenges and solutions. Show less



Wayne State University

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Member of Global Supply Chain Management Advisory Board

  • Dec 2020 - Present

  Member of Wayne State University's Mike Ilitch School of Business Global Supply Chain Management Advisory Board and guest lecturer at SCM classes. The Board is comprised of an outstanding group of industry and academic leaders that provide advice on industry needs, strategic direction, national ranking strategies, curriculum and other programming. Members also support a variety of activities, such as student/industry SCM conferences or competitions, lectures, plant tours, and overseas engagements, to promote student curriculums. Show less



ZF Group

• Germany
• Motor Vehicle Manufacturing
• 700 & Above Employee

• Director, Global Program Purchasing, Foundation Brakes

  • Dec 2018 - Aug 2020

  Led global Foundation Brake Program Purchasing (biggest Product Line in major Division). Achieved net part price savings of $24M more than objective, and stretch targets for inventory, BOM cost, and part family strategies. In addition, acted as VP Materials Management (Program Purchasing, Supplier Management, SCM, VA/VE, MM Finance), Active Safety Division (H2 2019) and managed a team of 260 people, four global product lines, and spend of ~$3.5B, saving $29M more than objective and delivering aggressive targets for inventory, supplier quality, and approved strategies. Show less



TI Fluid Systems

• United States
• Motor Vehicle Manufacturing
• 700 & Above Employee

• Executive Director, Global Purchasing

  • Jan 2017 - Dec 2018

  Led global corporate purchasing and strategic major initiatives:• Led both Corporate and Fluid Carrying Systems Division Purchasing• Supervised global director for non-production purchasing and oversaw NPP organization• Enacted Purchasing benchmarking initiatives with private equity owner and two consortiums

• Director, Global Purchasing, TI Automotive & Fluid Carrying Systems Division

  • Oct 2011 - Jan 2017

  Corporate Head of Purchasing, overseeing 280 employees and $2.1 billion spend across 125 manufacturing facilities.

• Director, Global Purchasing, Fluid Carrying Systems Division & Non Prod Matl's/Logistics

  • Oct 2009 - Oct 2011

  Managed 150 employees and global spend of $1 billion, developed and implemented purchasing strategies and plans.

• Director, Global Purchasing, Non-Production Materials & Capital

  • Oct 2008 - Sep 2009

  Initiated, staffed and ran global corporate non-production purchasing organization, developed objectives/metrics, created and implemented commodity strategies, financial reporting, global processes and procedures, completed major negotiations, published newsletters and awards.



Ford Motor Company

• United States
• Motor Vehicle Manufacturing
• 700 & Above Employee

• Director, Purchasing, NA Vehicle Programs

  • Sep 2005 - Oct 2008

  Managed 22 program managers and analysts for Ford’s North America Program Purchasing to meet deliverables for pickup, van, SUV, B, C, and CD platforms.

• Senior Purchasing Manager, NA Chassis

  • May 2002 - Aug 2005

  Managed 14 brake buyers, specialists, supervisors and led $2 billion buy of modulation, actuation, foundation brakes, corners, knuckles, parking brakes, pedals, and cables. Chaired Brake Global Council and negotiations for Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, and Volvo. Certified Six Sigma Green Belt and leader of five Sarbanes Oxley corrective action teams.

• Purchasing Specialist/Supervisor/Mgr, Brake Systems

  • Aug 1998 - Apr 2002

  Chaired cross-functional Strategic Commodity Team, supervised buyers and led sourcing strategy for $1.5 billion brake buy including foundation, actuation, and modulation commodities. Chaired global team for record savings with major supplier using cost models, market tests, sourcing, value chain maps, and tier two negotiations, and 50% improvement in quality.

• Buyer

  • Jul 1993 - Jul 1998

  Automatic Transmission Parts (1 yr): As plant-based buyer for $230M clutch, friction, damper, and bearings, achieved record cost reductions, and met launch, quality and delivery goals.Stampings & Body Panels, F-Series/Expedition/Ranger (3 yrs): Resolved major body panel capacity issues to meet escalating demand for high profit Expedition/Navigator, launched 200 new tooled parts with $13M negotiated savings for 1997 F-Series plus $8M from heat shield market test. Lead buyer for five stamping suppliers ranging from large body panel to small strategic minority supplier. Launched 1995 Ranger stampings at targets and sourced 1998 stampings at 8% savings.Rotors, Drums, Drum Assemblies, ABS sensors (1 yr): Co-managed $140M brake drum and sensor buy in College Graduate Program. Show less



Prudential Financial

• United States
• Financial Services
• 700 & Above Employee

• Staff Auditor

  • Jul 1989 - Jun 1991

  Developed and implemented first business control plan for Prudential Relocation Management. Trained employees and presented overview to Audit Department. Promoted three levels. Developed and implemented first business control plan for Prudential Relocation Management. Trained employees and presented overview to Audit Department. Promoted three levels.