Carra Estridge
Brandon,MS
Summary
Business professional with extensive experience across logistics, aerospace, defense, and IT sectors. Proven ability to foster strong customer and partner relationships while consistently achieving performance metrics. Skilled in strategic collaboration and team-oriented initiatives to drive business success.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Manager, Sourcing & Vendor Management
ConvergeOne, Inc.
Bloomington, MN (Remote)
05.2023 - Current
- Oversees daily operations of enterprise Sourcing & Vendor Management team across US and offshore locations.
- Directs sourcing activities, including roadmap development, requirements gathering, RFP creation, and contract negotiations
- Implements vendor management strategies to enhance commercial relationships and lifecycle activities
- Supports vendor onboarding processes, while fostering strong partnerships with top vendors
- Tracks indirect spend by category, allocating budgets, and facilitating contract negotiations to optimize costs
- Developed team performance metrics and reports on spend and savings to drive informed decision-making
- Created operational strategies that improved workflow efficiency through process optimization and creating a ticketing system
- Coordinates cross-functional communication among departments and stakeholders to ensure alignment
Lead Procurement Analyst
ConvergeOne, Inc.
Bloomington, MN (Remote)
09.2022 - 05.2023
- Oversaw vetting of potential suppliers with strategic input from business areas to facilitate decision-making
- Facilitated negotiations with vendors to secure favorable pricing, discounts, and rebates
- Cultivated relationships with premier partners and key suppliers to maximize contract value
- Managed supplier performance through Quarterly Business Reviews, problem resolution, and contract renewals
- Supported sales and procurement teams by sourcing RFPs and strengthening supplier relationships
- Developed work instructions and procedures for sourcing and vendor management team
- Ensured compliance with contractual obligations and service levels in supplier relationships
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to enhance efficiency in sourcing processes
Procurement Manager II (T45 USN Aircraft Program)
L3 Communications / Vertex Aerospace / V2X
Madison, MS
11.2021 - 09.2022
- Led procurement efforts for parts & goods supporting 193 aircraft
- Strategically collaborated with Program Management, Logistics, and Supply Chain Teams to align with aircraft schedules
- Ensured compliance with FAR/DFAR requirements and U.S. Government subcontracting standards
- Coordinated with Export/Import team to guarantee timely shipments while following guidelines
- Cultivated strategic partnerships with US Navy and key suppliers for materials and services
- Managed vendor relationships to uphold compliance and quality benchmarks
- Analyzed purchasing data and reported cost savings achieved through supplier negotiations
- Recognized with Mission Excellence Award 2022 for T45 Team contributions
Procurement Manager I (KC10 USAF Aircraft Program)
L3 Communications / Vertex Aerospace / V2X
Madison, MS
09.2019 - 11.2021
- Led and managed a team to procure parts for fleet of 58 aircraft, ensuring timely deliveries for aircraft-on-ground and depot deadlines
- Collaborated with program and strategic sourcing teams, achieving significant cost savings through new supplier acquisitions and negotiations with existing suppliers
- Interfaced with cross-functional groups including engineering, accounting, supply chain, contracts, legal, and compliance to enhance operational efficiency
- Tracked Key Performance Indicators daily to ensure quarterly and yearly goals were met: reduced Past Due Purchase Orders by approximately 90% in 2020 and maintained in 2021; Achieved a 50% reduction in Total Open Purchase Orders in 2020 and an additional 16% reduction in 2021; Reduced Total Open Requisitions by approximately 77% in 2020 and maintained that level through 2021; Minimized Total CANN'd Units at Depot by approximately 75% in 2020 and achieved an additional 20% reduction in 2021; Realized material savings of $3M in 2020 and $1M in 2021
- Was recognized with Achievement Award for Exceptional Performance in 2021
Procurement Specialist II
L3 Communications / Vertex Aerospace / V2X
Madison, MS
12.2018 - 09.2019
- Monitored and managed the procurement process for the US Air Force's KC-10 Tanker program's 'Over and Above' parts by working within a budget to procure or service parts, while tracking overall spend and providing cost savings to the program
- Generated RFQs for the 'Over and Above' parts, competed and negotiated pricing amongst diverse suppliers to ensure the procurement is fair and reasonable, and evaluated source selection based on market research and performance measures
- Created documentation necessary to ensure compliance with company procedures, contract terms and conditions, and corporate governance and the specifications of FAR/DFAR, to warrant the best procurement practice
- Worked closely with all technical representatives for the KC-10 program to source obsolete parts, identify source selections for repair services, and adhere to Corporate Policy to mitigate the procurement of counterfeit parts
Procurement Specialist I
L3 Communications / Vertex Aerospace / V2X
Madison, MS
07.2017 - 12.2018
- Monitored and managed the procurement process for the US Air Force's KC-10 Tanker program's 'Over and Above' parts by working within a budget to procure or service parts, while tracking overall spend and providing cost savings to the program
- Generated RFQs for the 'Over and Above' parts, competed and negotiated pricing amongst diverse suppliers to ensure the procurement is fair and reasonable, and evaluated source selection based on market research and performance measures
- Created documentation necessary to ensure compliance with company procedures, contract terms and conditions, and corporate governance and the specifications of FAR/DFAR, to warrant the best procurement practice
- Worked closely with all technical representatives for the KC-10 program to source obsolete parts, identify source selections for repair services, and adhere to Corporate Policy to mitigate the procurement of counterfeit parts
Account Manager
C.H. Robinson
Ridgeland, MS
12.2014 - 07.2017
- Oversaw top office accounts and the fulfillment of their supply chain transportation requests
- Grew and maintained customer base by providing solutions and managing their transportation needs to exceed their expectations
- Handled customer truckload procurement Requests for Pricing (RFPs), budgets, and yearly reviews; managed carrier rates, lane bids, and master rate files
- Responsible for negotiating with carriers, contracting carriers, and selecting the best strategic option to assist customers' needs
- Utilized CH Robinson's network of carriers to help customers align their business through truckload procurement
- Achieved Rookie of the Year 2015, Most Valuable Player for Jackson, MS Branch Office 2016, Most Outstanding Player for Customer Team 2016
Account Manager
Venture Technologies
Ridgeland, MS
07.2014 - 12.2014
- Executed all responsibilities of previous Inside Sales Representative role
- Maintained existing customer relationships to foster loyalty and retention
- Built customer base by meeting with potential clients and uncovering what their technology environment entailed and educated them on what Venture can provide
Inside Sales Representative
Venture Technologies
Ridgeland, MS
05.2012 - 04.2013
- Worked directly with assigned sales reps to maximize sales production for their customers
- Developed strong proficiency in the application and use of Venture's internal systems
- Prepared Requests for Pricing (RFPs) based on customer procurement requests and assisted in large Long Term Agreement (LTA) proposals with both government and educational customers
- Proposed quotes to customers after negotiating with suppliers to come to a fair and reasonable cost
- Issued purchase orders through Venture's internal procurement system; tracked and provided status updates to customers
Education
Bachelor of Business Administration - Marketing
Mississippi State University
Starkville, MS05.2012
Skills
- Lean Six Sigma green belt
- Contract management and negotiation
- Supplier performance management
- Strategic sourcing
- Procurement compliance
- Data analysis and metrics
Certification
Purdue University, Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certified
References
Available upon request
Timeline
Manager, Sourcing & Vendor Management
ConvergeOne, Inc.
05.2023 - Current
Lead Procurement Analyst
ConvergeOne, Inc.
09.2022 - 05.2023
Procurement Manager II (T45 USN Aircraft Program)
L3 Communications / Vertex Aerospace / V2X
11.2021 - 09.2022
Procurement Manager I (KC10 USAF Aircraft Program)
L3 Communications / Vertex Aerospace / V2X
09.2019 - 11.2021
Procurement Specialist II
L3 Communications / Vertex Aerospace / V2X
12.2018 - 09.2019
Procurement Specialist I
L3 Communications / Vertex Aerospace / V2X
07.2017 - 12.2018
Account Manager
C.H. Robinson
12.2014 - 07.2017
Account Manager
Venture Technologies
07.2014 - 12.2014
Inside Sales Representative
Venture Technologies
05.2012 - 04.2013
Bachelor of Business Administration - Marketing
Mississippi State University
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