Contract Specialist

• Oct 2020 - Present

Freelance German Translator

• Aug 1995 - Present

Produce on-demand translations of technical and commercial communication documents, engineering specifications, and component drawings from German into English and English into German for customers in the automotive supply and motion picture entertainment industries. Responsible for proofreading and editing services for English and German grammar, spelling, punctuation, and usage for customers in various fields. Produce on-demand translations of technical and commercial communication documents, engineering specifications, and component drawings from German into English and English into German for customers in the automotive supply and motion picture entertainment industries. Responsible for proofreading and editing services for English and German grammar, spelling, punctuation, and usage for customers in various fields.

Book Fair Support Representative

• Sep 2014 - Jan 2020

Provided primary account management for more than 150 elementary and middle school customers in southeast Michigan before, during, and after their in-school book fair sale events. Directed on-site event set up, including customer requirement assessment, pre-rehearsed or impromptu product information presentations, physical space optimization, visual merchandising, volunteer management, Point-of-Sale equipment training, and inventory replenishment support. Maintained encyclopedic product expertise for fluctuating portfolio of 1000+ titles per season. Assumed responsibility for all customer support issues from initial contact until resolution. Utilized Salesforce, MS Office 365, and company-internal computer systems to track communications, work tasks, sales data, and customer relationship information. Show less

Senior Purchasing Agent

• Sep 2000 - Mar 2005

Sourced all tooling and components comprising automotive fuel delivery module and safety restraint systems, including molded plastics, metal stampings, castings, electronics, and connectors. Negotiated optimal pricing, timing, and quality with global suppliers. Utilized SAP R/3 system for enterprise resource planning, MS Office for communications and project management. Translated engineering specification and drawings from German into English and English into German. Communicated and corresponded regularly with colleagues and suppliers by speaking, reading, and writing in German. Served as internal quality auditor in support of quality certification efforts (QS9000, TS16949). Show less

Senior Buyer

• Dec 1999 - Sep 2000

Purchased tooling and components comprising automotive interior and exterior rear-view mirror and rear lighting systems, including metal stampings, castings, plastic and rubber parts, electronics, and conncectors. Negotiated optimal pricing, timing, and quality with suppliers. Coordinated component delivery schedules with suppliers and colleagues in Material Management department. Aided Supplier Development Engineers with supplier assessment and quality audits and participated in Advanced Quality Planning activities. Translated engineering specifications and drawings from German into English and English into German. Communicated and corresponded regularly with colleagues and suppliers by speaking, reading, and writing in German. Show less

Buyer

• Aug 1998 - Dec 1999

Procured $60 million worth of injection-molded and thermoset plastic and die-cut foam components for automotive door latch systems and door hardware cassettes annually, including insert-molded and painted components. Negotiated optimal pricing, timing, and quality with suppliers. Maintained component records and issued purchasing documents using SAP R/3. Assisted Quality Engineers with supplier assessment and quality audits and participated in Advanced Product Quality Planning activities. Participated in cross-functional team management of engineering changes and VA/VE opportunities with colleagues and suppliers. Developed and instituted engineering change tracking procedure to comply with QS-9000 policies. Translated engineering specifications and drawings from German into English and English into German. Communicated and corresponded with colleagues and suppliers regularly by speaking, reading, and writing in German. Show less

German Translator and Executive Assistant

• Nov 1997 - Aug 1998

Assisted Vice President of Marketing and Sales in market research and analysis, communication with German parent company (ThyssenKrupp), and reporting of all marketing and sales activites for Tier One automotive components supplier. Assisted Director of Corporate Development in compiling and analyzing information related to mergers and acquisitions, corporate capacity planning, business development, and strategic decision making. Translated and interpreted German correspondence and technical documents related to the automotive industry, specifically pertaining to metal stampings, forgings, castings, and sheet-molded composite components. Supported Chairman/CEO and President/COO in development of presentations for the corporate and parent company boards of directors. Show less

Purchase Marketing Administrator

• Jan 1995 - Nov 1997

Facilitated global purchasing for a Tier One supplier of automotive climate control, powertrain cooling, and heat transfer components. Compiled and analyzed information on potential North American suppliers of automotive climate control system components and reported findings to colleagues in Germany. Explored technological advances in climate control for further investigation by Research and Devleopment scientists. Facilitated global purchasing for a Tier One supplier of automotive climate control, powertrain cooling, and heat transfer components. Compiled and analyzed information on potential North American suppliers of automotive climate control system components and reported findings to colleagues in Germany. Explored technological advances in climate control for further investigation by Research and Devleopment scientists.

Assistant To The Director

• Sep 1992 - Jan 1995

Promoted the German language and culture as a team member of a global network of cultural centers administered by the German federal government. Organized and executed teacher workshops, art exhibitions, film series, symposia, and international visits by members of German government, industry, and academia. Managed all accounting and bookkeeping in German and American currencies. Computerized lending library holdings and wrote and edited Catalog of Teaching Materials in German and English. Show less