AARON PARSONS
Sarasota,FL
Summary
Logistics professional with experience in inventory management, workforce management and customer satisfaction. Demonstrates leadership skills and ability to analyze and solve practical problems and handle multiple projects simultaneously. Strong leadership capabilities and team-oriented attitude while focused on continual process improvement and cost reduction.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Manager - Outbound Transportation Strategy
Joann Fabrics
Hudson, OH
07.2023 - Current
- Developed and implemented strategies to improve operational efficiency, reduce costs, and increase productivity.
- Managed a team of 10+ employees by providing guidance, setting goals and objectives, delegating tasks, and monitoring performance.
- Collaborated with external vendors to negotiate contracts that met company requirements while minimizing costs.
- Created financial reporting for parcel with key breakouts. Utilized with internal cross-functional partners to drive strategic change.
Sr. Manager Outbound Transportation
Ascena Retail Group Inc.
Pataskala, OH
09.2020 - 07.2023
- Built data warehouse with our analytics partner to have real-time actionable metrics
- Managed our 3PL transportation relationships (multi-brand model) along with our own brands
- Created roadmap with our IT partners on best practices to quickly and effectively shift volume as needed
- Negotiated with carriers and worked with cross-functional partners to implement carrier contracts
- Oversaw Brick & Mortar and eComm transportation annual budget of ~$200m
Outbound Transportation Manager
Ascena Retail Group Inc.
Pataskala, OH
04.2019 - 09.2020
- Analyzed operational performance and implemented plans to attain organizational and financial goals
- Implemented WMS upgrade and third-party rate-shopping program to ship more cost-effectively without diminishing the customer experience
- Improved profit margins by streamlining operations and workflow and negotiating competitive carrier contracts
- Manage outbound transportation needs for three DC's and more than 3000 stores with over $200m in annual spend
Senior Logistics Analyst
Ascena Retail Group Inc.
Pataskala, Ohio
11.2018 - 04.2019
- Work with current/potential carriers on service and rate offerings
- Lead a team of two analysts overseeing our eComm, Brick & Mortar and non-merch parcel volume
- Partner with our freight auditor on new reporting and data verification
- Implemented new dynamic rate-shopping software
- Drove implementation of a new carrier for SFS volume
- Realized over $1m in annual savings through data correction and process improvement
Logistics Analyst
Ascena Retail Group Inc.
Pataskala, Ohio
10.2017 - 11.2018
- Compiled and submitted parcel data to carrier then analyzed bids to recommend carrier selection
- Worked with internal legal team regarding carrier contract negotiations and disputes
- Executed analytical reviews of cost and transit reports and communicated final results to finance and brand partners
- Monitored parcel volume daily across three FC's and all stores to proactively identify any issues affecting service
- Partner with IT and Operations teams on process improvements to better the customer experience and decrease transportation costs
Brand Analyst
Ascena Retail Group Inc.
Pataskala, OH
03.2014 - 10.2017
- Coordinates with DC management team to ensure the needs and expectations of home office are being met
- Work with vendors to ensure that merchandise is coming into the facility correctly
- Created a master vendor routing guide to replace multiple brand routing guides
- Worked with Home Office on simple design update that saved over 2000 labor hours annually
Operations Team Lead
McGraw-Hill Education
Blacklick, OH
02.2012 - 03.2014
- Supervision of daily workload activities of 20 to 50 associates with knowledge of Receiving, Returns, Shipping and Packing departments
- Constant monitoring of workload to minimize potential issues and ensure timely completion
Distribution Associate
McGraw-Hill Education
Blacklick, OH
06.2007 - 03.2012
- Working knowledge of Shipping, Loose Pick, Receiving, Returns and Packaging departments
- Held three seasonal leadership roles during peak seasons
Education
Bachelor of Arts & Science - Strategic Communication
The Ohio State University
2013
Skills
- Project management
- Self-starter
- Excellent in Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint
- Proficient in SQL
- Experienced in Manhattan WMS and YMS systems
- Organization and prioritization of tasks/duties
- Enjoys new challenges
Accomplishments
- Employee-nominated Ascena Summit award recepient for going above and beyond job expectations.
- Negotiated and revised forecast numbers mid-peak to meet service levels and mitigate risk of carrier forecast surcharges
- Achieved $7m in first year savings by implementing a new carrier into a rate-shop model for SFS
- Helped create enhanced reporting that gives drill-down views to identify pain points in the network
Organizations
- Former member of WINS (Women's Initiative for Networking and Success)
- Former President of the Proactive Risk Observers (P.R.O) safety committee
- Competent Communicator and former Secretary and Sergeant at Arms in Toastmasters
- Captain of The Ohio State University Newark varsity soccer team
Timeline
Manager - Outbound Transportation Strategy
Joann Fabrics
07.2023 - Current
Sr. Manager Outbound Transportation
Ascena Retail Group Inc.
09.2020 - 07.2023
Outbound Transportation Manager
Ascena Retail Group Inc.
04.2019 - 09.2020
Senior Logistics Analyst
Ascena Retail Group Inc.
11.2018 - 04.2019
Logistics Analyst
Ascena Retail Group Inc.
10.2017 - 11.2018
Brand Analyst
Ascena Retail Group Inc.
03.2014 - 10.2017
Operations Team Lead
McGraw-Hill Education
02.2012 - 03.2014
Distribution Associate
McGraw-Hill Education
06.2007 - 03.2012
Bachelor of Arts & Science - Strategic Communication
The Ohio State University