Carleen M Violante
Cliffside Park,NJ
Summary
Proven leader in supply chain optimization and strategic sourcing, enhanced commodity risk management and streamlined inventory processes at Massimo Zanetti Beverage USA, achieving operational excellence. Skilled in supplier relationship management and logistics planning, this approach led to significant improvements in efficiency and supplier collaboration, without compromising on quality or customer satisfaction. Successful supply chain management professional knowledgeable about sourcing vendors, negotiating contracts and scheduling shipments. Collaborative and diplomatic with a well-grounded mentality and insightful nature. Articulate, discerning and responsive to changing business needs and market trends.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
Work History
Commodity Management Specialist
Massimo Zanetti Beverage USA
10.2013 - Current
- Advised executive leadership on long-term strategic planning efforts surrounding acquisition, storage, transportation, and sale of various commodities. Estimated 65 million pounds.
- Developed long-term relationships with suppliers, fostering trust and collaboration for mutual benefit.
- Monitored global economic factors impacting relevant commodities markets, providing valuable insights to inform decision-making processes within the organization.
- Enhanced commodity risk management by implementing strategic sourcing and procurement processes.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop comprehensive commodity strategies that aligned with company goals.
- Optimized supply chain efficiency through effective category management and supplier relationship building.
- Provided training and mentorship to junior team members, sharing expertise in commodity management best practices for professional growth opportunities.
- Participated in industry conferences, staying current on emerging trends in commodity management methodologies.
- Drove customer satisfaction by effectively managing inventory levels and ensuring timely delivery of goods.
- Worked with vendors to avoid potential problems with orders and deliveries.
- Arranged for payment and maintained records of bids, orders and financial transactions.
- Verified deliveries and resolved discrepancies between order and shipment.
- Collaborated with internal teams to improve outputs to meet demand and supply requirements, ensuring inventory integrity targets for finished goods.
- Streamlined inventory management processes to reduce supply chain costs and improve efficiency.
- Organized and maintained correct inventory levels to drive highest turns possible on inventory.
- Built supplier relationships to mitigate risk and establish effective purchasing arrangements with indirect and logistics customers.
- Built exceptional rapport with suppliers and transportation companies to create seamless operations.
- Teamed with sales and marketing teams to confirm that product availability meets customer demand.
- Implemented continuous improvement initiatives to drive cost savings and process efficiencies within the organization's commodity management operations.
Director of Quality Assurance Product Development
Boston Tea Company , LLC.
10.2007 - 10.2013
- Developed new tea blends and new product concepts.
- Collaborated with Graphic Designers to create art design and packaging requirements.
- Created the data base and maintained product specifications .
- Coordinated product releases by collaborating closely with project managers to meet deadlines without compromising on quality standards.
- Oversaw manufacturing and production of Overseas factories in China, India and Sri Lanka.
- Procured raw materials and packaging for domestic Co-Packers.
- Prepared documentation for USA Customs & FDA for import and export shipments.
- Coordinated Transportation of Ocean Freight Containers to the Warehouse.Coordinated special packaging and labeling requirements for 3rd party warehouse.
- Maintained and oversaw Internet fulfillment.
- Managed and oversaw Office Staff (5 employees).
- Coordinated and participated at all NASFT trade shows.
- Facilitated all banking and wire transfers.
- Responded to all customer inquiries and complaints.
- Directed quality assurance teams, shortened validation turnaround times and reduced customer complaints.
- Authored documentation for internal use by QA personnel, setting guidelines for review activities and reporting requirements.
Inventory Procurement Specialist
Sara Lee Coffee & Tea
01.2000 - 10.2002
- Managed logistics of green coffee to 7 manufacturing facilities.
- Coordinated all local truck & rail deliveries.
- Facilitated all payment/documentation dealing with FOB purchases of green & soluble coffee including customs entries, coffee purchases, ocean freight payments, & insurance.
- Negotiated local trucking contracts, warehouse contracts & ocean freight rates.
- Coordinated all coffee exports to Mazatlan, Mexico.
- Purchased black tea for tea packing plant, estimated annual purchases of 5 million lbs.
- Performed cup evaluations of all purchases, including the sampling & approval through the delivery order phase.
- Delegated green coffee shipments to all facilities by analyzing daily inventories & evaluating usage.
- Coordinated the closing of 5 manufacturing facilities including the handling of all logistics and accounting functions.
Production Planner
Sara Lee Coffee & Tea
01.1991 - 10.2002
- Developed production schedules according to deadlines for existing orders and sales forecasting.
- Coordinated material procurement efforts, ensuring on-time availability of components for uninterrupted production cycles.
- Worked directly with production personnel to resolve production scheduling issues and conflicts.
- Planned and established production schedules and optimized control levels for diversified manufacturing operations.
- Developed, released and monitored daily schedules to foster on-time completion of finished products.
- Presented updated order and production status reports to sales staff and management.
- Reviewed inventories, tracked production statuses and ordered materials to foster consistent availability and production schedule adherence.
- Managed change requests effectively, balancing priorities while minimizing disruptions to ongoing operations.
- Engaged in both long and short-term project planning, strategizing for on-time, high-quality deliverables.
- Enhanced production efficiency by streamlining processes and implementing lean manufacturing techniques.
- Conducted regular reviews of demand forecasts, adjusting production schedules as needed to maintain optimal inventory levels without compromising customer service standards.
- Reduced lead times by closely monitoring production schedules and addressing bottlenecks promptly.
- Created new production processes by analyzing current workflow and coordinating customer orders based on material availability and production capacity.
Skills
- Supplier Relationship Management
- Operational Excellence
- Supply Chain Optimization
- Strategic Sourcing
- Materials Management
- Supplier Relations
- Procurement
- Results Orientation
- Vendor Sourcing
- Transportation Planning
- Supplier negotiation
- Logistics Planning
Affiliations
- Green Coffee Association Warehouse and Traffic Committee 2000-present
- Emergency Response Team 2017-present
- National Coffee Association Education Committee-1998-2002
- Board of Directors for the Tea Association of the USA2
National Coffee Association Education Committee-1998-2002
Presenter at the NCA Seminars to educate participants on the history of green coffee.
Timeline
Commodity Management Specialist
Massimo Zanetti Beverage USA
10.2013 - Current
Director of Quality Assurance Product Development
Boston Tea Company , LLC.
10.2007 - 10.2013
Inventory Procurement Specialist
Sara Lee Coffee & Tea
01.2000 - 10.2002
Production Planner
Sara Lee Coffee & Tea
01.1991 - 10.2002
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