Crystal Blount-Gonzales
Riverside,CA
Summary
Accomplished Buyer with demonstrated track record of success with large corporate retailer. Forward-thinking and resourceful professional with history of increasing revenue and reducing costs. Resourceful professional offering 15-year history developing and implementing successful sales strategies. Strengths include vendor coordination, materials sourcing and promotional planning.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Sr.Buyer/Planner - Manufacturing Plant
Luxfer Gas Cylinders
Riverside, CA
02.2022 - Current
- Works closely with plant project managers to ensure that materials and services are purchased and procured at the lowest total cost from domestic and international sources to meet customer project requirements and demands
- Identifies sourcing risks and ensures mitigating strategies with timely and effective issue resolution
- Negotiated minor and major contract agreements as well as managed supplier Code of Conducts, Mutual Confidentiality Non-Disclosures, and Good Business Practices contracts
- Placed and tracked over 150 + weekly purchase orders
- Manages resources to effectively support, develop and execute company initiatives that reduce costs, improve supply chain, and support innovation and quality
- Targets domestic and international key suppliers and evaluates performance via score cards
- Maintains supplier material selection database in SAP and conducts supplier audits as part of an ongoing continuous supplier improvement program
- Manages, develops, trains, and directs activities of the purchasing staff out of two Southern California facilities
- Assist with new product launches and engineering projects by working closely with suppliers to ensure a timely supply chain process, product and raw materials availability.
- Liaised with accounting and vendors to minimize and clear up invoice discrepancies.
- Analyzed and completed supplier performance reviews, addressing corrective actions.
- Managed inventory levels by monitoring stock movements across multiple warehouses and locations.
- Purchased Aluminum Stock valued at approximately $1 million Dollars.
- Worked with suppliers to expedite open purchase orders and shipments in-transit.
- Requested pricing quotes from suppliers to determine best source of supply.
- Evaluated supplier proposals against predetermined criteria such as price competitiveness and quality assurance protocols.
- Traveled to various locations to procure materials and products from vendors.
- Managed domestic and overseas suppliers by performing 1 week business reviews and coordination of orders.
- Developed purchasing strategies to meet organizational objectives while minimizing costs.
Sr. Procurement Manager - Manufacturing Plant
Better Than Good, Inc
Perris, CA
09.2018 - 02.2022
- Responsible for evaluating suppliers, products and services, negotiating contracts, and ensuring that approved purchases are cost-efficient and of high quality
- Conducting research via internet databases, trade publications, trade shows and exhibitions, and social networks
- Preparing and managing purchase orders and sub-contracts; Meeting with potential suppliers
- Managing existing vendor and supplier relationships; Managing purchases, A/P, and customer accounts
- Generating and implementing purchasing strategies ensuring that all goods and services comply with the company's policies
- Supporting departments such as manufacturing, production, marketing and design in the development of product category strategies by undertaking field research and consumer market analysis via performance metrics
- Management of raw materials, packaging, packaging design, logistics, and inventory internal/external
- Decreased replenishment turnaround time by 25% by including vendors in our lean program
- Reduced costs in inventory and piece part price by 10 % - 18 % by identifying unnecessary tooling.
- Resolved disputes between suppliers, customers, and internal stakeholders regarding payment issues or other matters.
- Developed procurement budgets to reduce unnecessary expenditures.
- Spearheaded projects to enhance organizational capabilities and grow storage capacities.
Supply Chain Operations Manager
Water + Nutrients (wanu water)
Santa Monica, CA
03.2016 - 04.2018
- Managed 3 direct reports in 3 functional departments: co-packer production management, warehousing & transportation, and raw materials and packaging procurement
- Maintained and managed direct relationships with co-packers, suppliers and 3-PL's; Managed purchasing with co-packers and suppliers for raw materials and packaging
- Responsible for forecasting multiple sku's sold to over 500 domestic customers and distribution partners
- Management of multiple commerce platforms such as SPS commerce & amazon marketplace specializing in Electronic Data Interface fulfillment
- Regularly analyzing data and making recommendations for process improvement
- Managed the raw and finished goods supply chain during and after co-packer production
- Utilizing MRP & ERP Systems to continuously revise production schedules based on customer trends and demands ensuring a balance of supply vs demand
- Provide consistent measuring, monitoring and improvement of supply chain KPI's.
- Delivered products to customer locations on time.
- Worked with cross-functional teams to achieve goals.
- Recognized by management for providing exceptional customer service.
- Maintained updated knowledge through continuing education and advanced training.
- Maintained open communication with team members and stakeholders, resulting in successful project outcomes.
Operations Supervisor-Manufacturing Plant
Alcoa
Corona, CA
02.2013 - 03.2018
- Production planning for key clients including beverage co-packing and managing master production schedules
- Reviewing production costs and product quality; Oversaw distribution and co-packing projects for multiple clients
- Transported, organized, labeled and processed over 5,000 items of inventory daily
- Developed comprehensive knowledge of federal and state guidelines including training in FDA Compliance, DOT rules and regulations, DOT supervisory training, and DOT Drug and Alcohol Program training (DER)
- Monitored LTL & FTL shipments in addition to DHL, GLS, UPS, and FED ex carriers
- Oversaw co-packing projects from planning, procurement, raw material and packaging purchased domestically and internationally, tariff compliance, logistics, production and distribution
- Forecasted over 150 different brands of bulk packaged products and distribution efforts for 40 key accounts
- Provided ERP training to supply chain and production planners
- Increased supply efficiency by 15 % through process improvement design and implementation.
Education
Masters of Business Administration -
California Baptist University
Riverside, CABachelor of Arts in Biological Science -
Western Governors University
Associate in Arts in Biological Science -
Chaffey College
Skills
- Procurement Planning
- Procurement Procedures & Sourcing
- Strategic Planning
- Forecasting
- Competitive Sourcing
- Supplier & Contract Negotiations
- Contract Preparation
- Vendor Relations
- Pricing Knowledge & Negotiations
- Trend Assessment
- Analyzing Data
- SAP/ERP Expertise
- Cost Control
- Manufacturing Support
- Purchase Order Management
- Pricing Analysis
- Inventory Monitoring
- Multi-Tasking Strength
- Delivery Management
- Adept in Microsoft Office
- Interpersonal Ability
- Customer Service
- Business Understanding
Skills Interests
Microsoft Office, Google Suite, Salesforce, Tableau, Project Management, Lean Practices, Co-Packer Management, Vendor Management, Negotiations, Performance Metrics, Regulatory Compliance, Procurement, Leadership, Staff Development and Training, SAP, Operations, Analytics, Product Development, Customer Experience, Special Projects and Events, CPG Consultation
Certification
- Six Sigma Lean Manufacturing - Green Belt
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Sr.Buyer/Planner - Manufacturing Plant
Luxfer Gas Cylinders
02.2022 - Current
Sr. Procurement Manager - Manufacturing Plant
Better Than Good, Inc
09.2018 - 02.2022
Supply Chain Operations Manager
Water + Nutrients (wanu water)
03.2016 - 04.2018
Operations Supervisor-Manufacturing Plant
Alcoa
02.2013 - 03.2018
Masters of Business Administration -
California Baptist University
Bachelor of Arts in Biological Science -
Western Governors University
Associate in Arts in Biological Science -
Chaffey College
- Six Sigma Lean Manufacturing - Green Belt
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