Aurora Norton
Boothbay Harbor,ME
Summary
Dynamic procurement professional with a proven track record in supply chain management and a strong focus on strategic sourcing. Expertise in cultivating robust supplier relationships, negotiating favorable terms, and ensuring timely delivery of high-quality products. Recognized for adaptability to evolving business needs and a collaborative approach that consistently achieves results aligned with organizational goals. Proficient in contract management and inventory optimization, driving efficiency and cost-effectiveness across operations.
Overview
43
43
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Buyer
Sealed Air Corporation
Duncan, SC
09.2010 - 06.2025
- Planned independent needs assessments and ensure continuous material flow using SAP.
- Executed timely procurement and order processing for raw materials, fabricated machined parts and electrical components.
- Contributed to the planning management, control and optimization of purchasing processes.
- Supported the Quality Assurance Team in managing and resolving non-complaint parts and collected corrective action reports.
- Supported Accounts Payables using Coupa to facilitate on-time payments in line with company policies.
- Sourced and evaluated prices for externally manufactured machined components, including supplier selections.
- Successfully negotiated supply contracts to secure favorable terms to improve cash flow initiatives.
- Maintained and updated master data, including the onboarding of new suppliers using Coupa.
- Collaborated effectively with all departments including international procurement while ensuring compliance with relevant laws, standards and internal guidelines.
- Fully remote, 2020-2025
Commodity Specialist
Thermo Fisher Scientific, EID
Franklin, MA
01.2003 - 07.2010
- Planned, organized, executed and supported two manufacturing sites for procurement of materials for electronics and metals commodity.
- Consistently delivered Sourcing Savings exceeding goals for Cable Assemblies and Sheet Metal by aggregating suppliers with global presence and understanding and evaluating their cost models and negotiating pricing. Achieved $82K (9.5%) savings from $885K spend for Sheet Metal commodity.
- Achieved $38K (11.8%) savings from $320K spend for Cable Assemblies utilizing Low Cost Region.
- Outsourced Assemblies and sub-assemblies to Mexico to meet Low Cost Region manufacturing objectives with a result of 39% savings on projected annual spends of $165K.
- Negotiated, coached and managed Suppliers implementation of Lean methodology. Rolled out lean program using Ultriva, an electronic sourcing tool, resulting in 716 items being managed in Kanban programs.
- Negotiated all suppliers increase attempts and used competitive quoting to drive down cost in inflationary markets. Utilized Ariba for RFP events and captured savings.
- Minimized engagement with high risk Suppliers. Reduced Supplier base. Drove formal Supplier Performance review each quarter and achieved 95% OTD by end of Q2, 2009 and maintained in Q3 & Q4. Maintained 90+ % Net 60 Trades Payables.
- Implemented drop-ship program to Customers for all portable gases.
Purchasing Supervisor/Senior Buyer
Andros Incorporated
Richmond, CA
01.1989 - 01.2002
- Managed the purchasing department for a manufacturer of advanced infrared and fuel cell gas analyzer products used in medical, automotive and environmental applications. Duties and responsibilities included day-to-day management of 3 buyers. Lead project activities related to product purchasing including bringing exceptional value to the company through total cost reduction, key suppliers, and commodity focus and supplier consolidation.
- Lead the purchasing effort during a fire recovery period. Initiating and executing the purchases and expediting of all capital equipments and production materials for all operations as a result of a $23 million dollar manufacturing plant fire. Ensured production to meet pre-fire capacity within 6 weeks. Coordinated budgets and payment plans with Finance department.
- Initiated projects on cost reduction by 10%, material productivity and new product development to timely and successful completion.
- Purchased, scheduled and prioritized deliveries based on production forecast and lead times utilizing MRP systems for commodities such as oxygen sensors, customized infrared detectors, optical filters and windows, pumps, motors, power supplies, cable assemblies, electronic components, machined parts and fabricated sheet metal. Experience in outsourcing manufacturing assemblies.
Buyer/Planner
Karkar Electronics, a General Signal
San Francisco, CA
01.1983 - 01.1989
- Progressively: Manufacturing Administrative Assistant, Expeditor and Buyer for telecommunication equipment manufacturer. Purchased PCBA’s, electro-mechanical components and MRO.
Education
Certificate - Purchasing Management
University of California, Berkeley
01.1996
Bachelor Science - Business Admistration, Finance Major
University of San Carlos
Cebu City, Philippines01.1981
Skills
- SAP strong user skills
- COUPA expert user
- Lean Manufacturing - Yellow Belt
- Value Stream Mapping
- Outsourcing Cost Model, high awareness of quality and cost with a proactive and professional approach
- MS Excel, Word, Power Point
Affiliations
Purchasing Management Association
Timeline
Senior Buyer
Sealed Air Corporation
09.2010 - 06.2025
Commodity Specialist
Thermo Fisher Scientific, EID
01.2003 - 07.2010
Purchasing Supervisor/Senior Buyer
Andros Incorporated
01.1989 - 01.2002
Buyer/Planner
Karkar Electronics, a General Signal
01.1983 - 01.1989
Bachelor Science - Business Admistration, Finance Major
University of San Carlos
Certificate - Purchasing Management
University of California, Berkeley