SUMMARY:

• Strategic Sourcing Purchasing Operations - & Systems Management Project- & Team Management
• Highly skilled professional with over nineteen years of experience in all aspects of the buying function including strategic sourcing & purchasing of goods & services domestically & internationally, contract negotiation & management, order delivery logistics, ERP systems & tools, invoice resolution & payment, and supplier & business relations.
• Possesses high proficiency in managing operations, projects & personnel, and in designing, re-engineering & implementing business systems & processes.
• Detail oriented with excellent written & verbal communication & presentation skills, and persuasive in dealing with management, staff, peers, and diverse internal & external clientele.
• Represents company values with integrity & intelligence.
• Focused on identifying improvement areas, reducing costs & issues, and formulating & executing competent solutions.
• Strong ability to organize, prioritize and work in a fast paced business environment independently and in collaboration with multiple parties.

SKILLS & INTERESTS:

Computer & Software Aptitude: High user proficiency in MS Office Suite particularly MS Excel for data analysis & reporting, MS Visio (flowcharts), & MS Project. Strong experience with MS Access/Windows-based & Web-based ERP systems (PeopleSoft-, Pnet eProcurement, Oracle eProcurement/iSupplier platforms).

Professional Training: Internal team training on Seven Step Strategic Sourcing Process. Successfully completed external training sessions on Strategic Thinking and the Win-Win Negotiation Process. Pursuing Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) accreditation via the Institute of Supply Management (ISM).

Professional Associations: Member of Institute of Supply Management (ISM), Professional Retail Store Maintenance Association (PRSM), and Arab American Association for Engineers & Architects ( Confidential ).

Travel: Experienced in domestic- & international trips for commercial trade shows, supplier site visits, and project implementations.

Languages: Arabic & English mother tongue. University courses in German. Attended full year course in Italian to facilitate effective communication with main European suppliers.

CORE COMPETENCIES:

• Data Collection, Retrieval & Analysis
• Strategic Sourcing
• Contract Negotiation & Management
• Purchase Execution - Buying
• Order Delivery Logistics
• Team Establishment & Training
• Supplier Performance- Relationship Management
• Business Relationship
• Management
• Project-, Operations- & Team
• Management
• ERP Systems Implementation & Administration
• Invoice Payment & Issues
• Resolution
• Business Process Design Implementation

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

Confidential

Associate Category Manager

Responsibilities:

• Administered $85 million spend for capital- and operating expense categories covering a large variety of goods & services achieving an average annual savings of $6 million.
• Sourced equipment & services categories for corporate-, store- & supply chain facilities & operations.
• Collaborated with Procurement- & Business partners globally particularly in Europe, South America, and the Far East.
• Supported sourcing & ordering activities for over 500 new- & remodeled stores per annum.
• Established ordering database, developed & implemented a Direct Store Delivery purchasing model, and supported transition to a new ERP system.
• Managed a multitude of product development projects from inception to completion.
• Supervised a staff of Procurement Specialists to support daily ordering operations.
• Devised multiple reports from various systems to track supplier performance & identify possible savings opportunities including data on each category’s items & processes.

Confidential

Procurement Systems & Projects Manager

Responsibilities:

• Continued support of data conversion, testing, implementation & stabilization efforts related to the global ERP system’s Procurement module upgrade in India, North America & Europe.
• Administered the Procurement module of the ERP system including user access analysis & approvals, issue resolution, and management of bug-fixes & enhancements.
• Developed business process improvements & implemented globally including vendor file- & e-catalog management.
• Maintained Procurement system expertise and provided continuous user- & Procurement team training & operational guidance.
• Completed integration of suppliers & procurement systems & processes for several major merger & acquisition targets.
• Procurement Operations Manager (2008 - 2010)
• Managed 5 member team to continue daily functions supporting purchasing colleagues’ use of the ERP system’s Procurement module and relevant Procure-to-Pay processes.
• Monitored team performance addressing personnel issues via training & improvement plans.
• Transitioned routine functions such as vendor file- & e-catalog item setup and simple purchase requisition review to offshore resources.
• Designed & implemented the process for reviewing & preparing documents, and staging ERP transactions for contracts valued at under $50,000.
• Facilitated establishment & proliferation of Corporate Purchasing Card (Pcard) usage.
• Supported requirements gathering, data conversion, testing, implementation & stabilization of upgrade to global ERP system (Procurement module) in India & North America.
• Developed system queries to generate daily & ad hoc reporting required for standard team functions, metrics reporting, projects support & issue resolution.
• Managed integration of suppliers & procurement systems & processes for several major merger & acquisition targets.
• Procurement Agent & Team Lead (2006 - 2008)
• Supervised a 5 member sub-team’s daily functions supporting purchasing colleagues’ use of the ERP system’s Procurement module and relevant Procure-to-Pay processes.
• Assisted with transitioning the invoice resolution functions to Accounts Payable offshore.
• Implemented process improvements for particular purchase-types for enhanced efficiency.
• Facilitated colleagues’ purchases by completing ERP purchase requisitions, ensuring proper approvals, and issuance of purchase orders to suppliers.
• Maintained items for online ordering catalog.
• Reviewed new supplier requests & facilitated setup & maintenance of online vendor file.
• Provided subject matter expertise on Procure-to-Pay processes & systems.
• Researched problem invoices & ensured adequate resolution to enable soonest payment.

Confidential

Proxy to Board of Directors

Responsibilities:

• Established companywide performance metrics & established tracking reports.
• Designed & implemented management improvement initiatives.
• Represented a segment of investors at Board decision-making functions.

Confidential

Purchasing Manager

Responsibilities:

• Recruited, trained & managed a growing staff of up to 7 members to execute all purchases.
• Performed purchasing functions (sourcing, contract negotiation, & delivery logistics) for ongoing high value- or high risk purchases, and 3 expansion projects.
• Managed an annual spend of ~$2.5 million of ongoing, domestic & imported purchases.
• Ensured smooth interface with Payables & balanced distribution of financial commitments.
• Impacted profitability by maintaining a career average annual savings of 17% by continuously driving savings initiatives with incumbent & new suppliers.
• Maintained multi-tiered supplier base for most critical product / service categories.
• Traveled internationally for trade fairs, supplier site visits, and contract negotiations.

Assistant General Manager

Confidential

Responsibilities:

• Determined project feasibility & forecasted profitability.
• Participated in establishment of company partnership & management framework.
• Managed multi-million dollar RFPs for complete production facility startup machinery & equipment (including installation- & technical know-how support), initial materials & spare part supplies, and facilities & transportation services.
• Negotiated & supervised execution of all initial contracts totaling around $23 million.
• Developed & established all main business processes.
• Supervised implementation of MS Access-based accounting- & inventory management system & developed feeds from MS Excel-based purchasing tracking system.
• Administered company-wide preparations for ISO 9000 certification.