CARMA CARUSO
WEST VALLEY CITY,UT
Summary
Procurement and supply chain professional with over 11 years of experience supporting complex government and commercial procurement activities within L3Harris. Proven track record in supplier negotiations, proposal support, cost and price analysis, purchase order management, FAR/DFARS compliance, and cross-functional collaboration with Program Management, Hardware Cost Estimating, Compliance, Engineering, and Material Control. Strong leader with exceptional organizational, communication, and problem-solving abilities, skilled in enhancing supplier performance, streamlining procurement processes, supporting audit readiness, and fostering collaboration across teams. Recognized for delivering cost savings, managing critical open orders, providing outstanding customer service, and leading supplier recovery efforts through metrics-driven execution.
Overview
2027
2027
years of professional experience
Work History
COMPLEX PROCUREMENT BUYER / RF IPT LEAD
L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES
SALT LAKE CITY, UT
12.2015 - Current
- SERVE AS A COMPLEX PROCUREMENT BUYER SUPPORTING PROCUREMENT OF COMPUTERS, SERVERS, SWITCHES, INTERFACE UNITS, AND RF-RELATED HARDWARE FOR PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS.
- SUPPORT PROPOSAL ACTIVITIES BY COORDINATING PRICING EFFORTS WITH PROGRAM MANAGERS, HARDWARE COST ESTIMATING, AND OTHER BUYERS TO PROVIDE TIMELY AND COMPETITIVE SUPPLIER INPUT.
- PREPARE, ISSUE, AND FOLLOW UP ON REQUESTS FOR QUOTATION, BID, AND PROPOSAL TO SUPPORT COMPLIANT AND EFFECTIVE COMPETITIVE SOURCING.
- ANALYZE SUPPLIER QUOTES AND RECOMMEND BEST SOURCE SELECTION BASED ON COST, TECHNICAL CONFORMANCE, DELIVERY, AND OVERALL PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS.
- PERFORM COST AND/OR PRICE ANALYSIS TO DOCUMENT FAIR AND REASONABLE PRICING IN ACCORDANCE WITH FAR REQUIREMENTS.
- ENSURE PROGRAM, COMPANY, ENGINEERING, AND ITEM-SPECIFIC CONFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS ARE CLEARLY COMMUNICATED AND FLOWED DOWN TO SUPPLIERS.
- REVIEW AND INTERPRET DRAWINGS, SPECIFICATIONS, AND PROCUREMENT REQUIREMENTS TO ENSURE ACCURATE SUPPLIER UNDERSTANDING AND EXECUTION.
- INCORPORATE REQUIRED TERMS AND CONDITIONS, SCHEDULE REQUIREMENTS, AND PURCHASE ORDER FLOW-DOWNS INTO CONTRACTUAL LINE ITEMS.
- DEVELOP NEGOTIATION STRATEGIES AND WRITE NEGOTIATION PLANS AS REQUIRED.
- NEGOTIATE PRICING, DELIVERY, TERMS AND CONDITIONS, AND SUPPORT LONG-TERM PRICING AGREEMENTS WITH SUPPLIERS.
- CONVERT PURCHASE REQUISITIONS TO PURCHASE ORDERS IN A TIMELY MANNER TO MEET INTERNAL AND CUSTOMER DELIVERY REQUIREMENTS.
- MAINTAIN ACCURATE PURCHASE ORDER DOCUMENTATION IN COMPLIANCE WITH FAR, DFARS, AND INTERNAL PROCUREMENT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES.
- MANAGE OPEN ORDERS, MONITOR SUPPLIER COMMITMENTS, FOLLOW UP ON LATE DELIVERIES, AND EXPEDITE MATERIAL AS REQUIRED TO SUPPORT PROGRAM SCHEDULES.
- CONDUCT AND SUPPORT SUPPLIER PERFORMANCE REVIEWS AND CORRECTIVE ACTION FOLLOW-UP AS NEEDED.
- PARTNER WITH COMPLIANCE TO REVIEW PROCUREMENT FORMS AND DOCUMENTATION TO SUPPORT GOVERNMENT REQUIREMENTS AND AUDIT READINESS.
- COORDINATE WITH MATERIAL CONTROL TO ENSURE TIMELY REQUISITION RELEASE AND ORDER PLACEMENT.
- DEVELOPED AN EFFICIENT AND ACCURATE SYSTEM FOR MONITORING OPEN PURCHASE ORDERS AND IMPROVING ORDER VISIBILITY.
- ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION WITH MANUFACTURERS, DISTRIBUTORS, AND INTERNAL STAKEHOLDERS.
- APPLY DEFINED METRICS TO MONITOR PROCUREMENT PERFORMANCE, IMPROVE ACCOUNTABILITY, AND SUPPORT TIMELY ISSUE RESOLUTION.
- LEAD AND SUPPORT INITIATIVES DESIGNED TO IMPROVE ORGANIZATIONAL EFFICIENCY AND STRENGTHEN PROCUREMENT TEAM EFFECTIVENESS.
RF IPT LEAD
L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES
SALT LAKE CITY, UT
- LEAD BIWEEKLY MEETINGS TO REVIEW RED- AND YELLOW-STATUS SUPPLIERS AND OPEN PROCUREMENT RISKS.
- COLLABORATE WITH TEAM MEMBERS TO IDENTIFY ISSUES, DEVELOP STRATEGIC GOALS, AND IMPLEMENT SUPPLIER RECOVERY AND GET-WELL PLANS.
- PREPARE QUARTERLY PRESENTATIONS AND PRESENT SUPPLIER PERFORMANCE UPDATES, RISKS, AND RECOVERY ACTIONS TO MANAGEMENT.
- SUPPORT TEAM ALIGNMENT, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND EXECUTION AGAINST PROCUREMENT PRIORITIES AND PROGRAM NEEDS.
- HELP DRIVE PROACTIVE SUPPLIER MANAGEMENT AND ESCALATION AWARENESS ACROSS THE TEAM.
- CONCURRENT ROLE
PROCUREMENT BUYER
L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES
SALT LAKE CITY, UT
- PROCURED DIGITAL ICS AND OSCILLATORS IN SUPPORT OF GOVERNMENT CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS.
- ANALYZED AND NEGOTIATED PRICING, TERMS, AND CONDITIONS WITH SUPPLIERS.
- WORKED WITH HARDWARE COST ESTIMATING TO SUPPORT CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS AND PRICING ACTIVITIES.
- WORKED WITH COMPLIANCE TO REVIEW PROCUREMENT DOCUMENTATION FOR GOVERNMENT REQUIREMENTS AND AUDITS.
- APPLIED FAR AND DFARS KNOWLEDGE TO PROCUREMENT ACTIONS AND DOCUMENTATION.
- COORDINATED PURCHASE REQUISITION RELEASE AND TIMELY ORDER PLACEMENT WITH MATERIAL CONTROL.
- DEVELOPED OPEN ORDER MONITORING METHODS TO IMPROVE PROCUREMENT EFFICIENCY AND FOLLOW-UP.
- ESTABLISHED STRONG SUPPLIER COMMUNICATION CHANNELS WITH MANUFACTURERS AND DISTRIBUTORS.
- MAINTAINED REQUISITION-TO-PO PLACEMENT DEADLINES TO SUPPORT PROGRAM SCHEDULES.
- ACHIEVED COST SAVINGS OF $1M THROUGH SUPPLIER NEGOTIATIONS.
- UTILIZED SAP AND LN MRP SYSTEMS FOR PROCUREMENT EXECUTION AND ORDER MANAGEMENT.
- PRIOR ROLE
MATERIAL CONTROL ANALYST
L-3 COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS-WEST
SALT LAKE CITY, UT
08.2014 - 12.2015
- MANAGED INVENTORY CONTROL, INVENTORY TRACKING, AND MATERIAL ACCURACY.
- IDENTIFIED OPPORTUNITIES TO REDUCE COST AND IMPROVE MATERIAL CONTROL PROCESSES.
- MAINTAINED CONSISTENCY IN MATERIAL QUALITY AND INVENTORY MANAGEMENT PRACTICES.
EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
L-3 COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS-WEST
SALT LAKE CITY, UT
07.2011 - 12.2014
- SUPPORTED THE DIRECTOR OF SUPPLY CHAIN AND PROVIDED DEPARTMENT SUPPORT FOR 225+ EMPLOYEES.
- COORDINATED CALENDARS FOR 8+ MANAGERS AND SUPPORTED TRAINING SCHEDULES, EVENTS, AND DEPARTMENTAL OPERATIONS.
- MANAGED BUDGETS FOR OFFICE SUPPLIES, BOOKS, AND TRAINING MATERIALS, INCLUDING RATE NEGOTIATIONS.
- ASSISTED WITH SCHEDULING, TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS, CORRESPONDENCE, AND CORPORATE TRAINING SUPPORT.
- CREATED MANUAL PURCHASE REQUISITIONS AND SUPPORTED PURCHASING OF OFFICE SUPPLIES, EQUIPMENT, AND FURNITURE.
- COMPLETED EXPENSE REPORTS AND SPECIAL PROJECTS REQUIRING STRONG ORGANIZATION AND INDEPENDENT JUDGMENT.
BUYER / OFFICE MANAGER
MOUNTAIN AIR SALES
MIDVALE, UT
01.2001 - 07.2011
- PREPARED JOB QUOTES FOR CONTRACTORS AND DISTRIBUTORS.
- NEGOTIATED RATES WITH MANUFACTURERS AND TRUCKING COMPANIES.
- PLACED PURCHASE ORDERS FOR PARTS, MATERIALS, AND LARGE COMMERCIAL EQUIPMENT.
- TRACKED SHIPMENTS AND COORDINATED DELIVERY SCHEDULES AND LEAD TIMES.
- SUPPORTED CLAIMS PROCESSING AND HR-RELATED FUNCTIONS.
- CREATED AND REVISED COMPANY POLICIES AND PROCEDURES, INCLUDING THE EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK.
- ASSISTED WITH INTERVIEWING, HIRING RECOMMENDATIONS, AND SUPERVISION OF CLERICAL STAFF.
BACK-UP BOOKKEEPER / MANAGER (PART-TIME)
REAMS GROCERY STORE
SALT LAKE CITY, UT
01.1990 - Current
- PERFORM BOOKKEEPING AND CASH RECONCILIATION FOR A HIGH-VOLUME RETAIL ENVIRONMENT.
- PROVIDE CUSTOMER SERVICE AND SUPERVISE FRONT-END PERSONNEL AS NEEDED.
- MANAGE SCHEDULES AND ROTATIONS FOR CHECKERS AND BAGGERS.
CUSTOMER SERVICE SUPERVISOR
FIRST HEALTH
SALT LAKE CITY, UT
01.1993 - 01.1998
- SUPERVISED 15–20 CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES.
- MANAGED SCHEDULING, REVIEWS, PTO, COACHING, AND CROSS-TRAINING.
- HANDLED ESCALATED CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS AND SUPPORTED CALL VOLUME WHEN NEEDED.
- MAINTAINED PHONE LOGS AND PROCESSED CLAIMS AS BACKUP SUPPORT.
Education
GRADUATE -
KEARNS HIGH SCHOOL
SALT LAKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE (FORMERLY UTAH TECHNICAL COLLEGE)
Skills
- 11 years of procurement and supply chain experience
- Lead-level experience coordinating supplier performance and procurement priorities
- Strong knowledge of FAR and DFARS requirements
- Experience supporting government contract procurement activities
- Skilled in RFQ, RFP, and bid package preparation and supplier quote analysis
- Cost and price analysis to support fair and reasonable pricing determinations
- Supplier negotiations covering price, terms, conditions, and delivery
- Long-term pricing agreement support
- Purchase requisition to purchase order conversion and administration
- Supplier performance management and open order management
- Performance Business Reviews (PBRs)
- Proposal support in coordination with Program Managers and Hardware Cost Estimating
- Purchase order flow-downs and conformance requirement management
- Ability to interpret drawings and communicate technical and contractual requirements
- Process improvement and organizational efficiency initiatives
- Metrics-driven performance tracking and problem resolution
- Strong communication and leadership skills
- Proficient in SAP, LN MRP systems, and Microsoft Office
Timeline
COMPLEX PROCUREMENT BUYER / RF IPT LEAD
L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES
12.2015 - Current
MATERIAL CONTROL ANALYST
L-3 COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS-WEST
08.2014 - 12.2015
EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
L-3 COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS-WEST
07.2011 - 12.2014
BUYER / OFFICE MANAGER
MOUNTAIN AIR SALES
01.2001 - 07.2011
CUSTOMER SERVICE SUPERVISOR
FIRST HEALTH
01.1993 - 01.1998
BACK-UP BOOKKEEPER / MANAGER (PART-TIME)
REAMS GROCERY STORE
01.1990 - Current
RF IPT LEAD
L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES
PROCUREMENT BUYER
L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES
GRADUATE -
KEARNS HIGH SCHOOL
SALT LAKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE (FORMERLY UTAH TECHNICAL COLLEGE)