Danise Smith

• Oversee procurement operations for second-largest school district in Illinois, serving 34,000 students.
• Established comprehensive procurement strategies aligned with federal and state guidelines.
• Streamlined inventory management processes to enhance efficiency in school operations.
• Coordinated procurement processes for educational materials and supplies.
• Analyzed purchase orders for compliance with district policies.
• Streamlined inventory management to support district and school operations.
• Developed district training materials on procurement procedures.
• Implemented cost-saving strategies in purchasing decisions.
• Resolved supply chain issues impacting school programs and activities.
• Collaborated with internal stakeholders on strategic sourcing initiatives.
• Implemented process improvements designed to streamline procurement operations.
• Development of standard procurement policies and procedures.
• Monitored inventory levels and ordered materials as needed.
• Performed research to identify potential suppliers that offer quality products at competitive prices.
• Managed day-to-day operations within the department including staff scheduling and training.
• Prepare and facilitate public Request for Proposal (RFP) and Invitation to Bid (ITB) for goods and services.
• Managed vendor relationships to ensure timely delivery of resources and improve service quality.
• Analyzed purchase orders for compliance with district policies and regulations.
• Implemented cost-saving strategies in purchasing to optimize budget utilization.
• Developed and trained the district on procurement procedures to maintain fiscal responsibility.
• Collaborated with stakeholders on strategic sourcing initiatives and special projects.

• Established a biannual reset process for buybuyBABY, capturing financial milestones for senior leadership.
• Utilized advanced technical skills and expertise to troubleshoot complex problems and implement solutions.
• Utilized various software and tools to streamline processes and optimize performance.
• Implemented business lifecycle for room resets, ensuring timely merchandise transitions within budget.
• Managed store resets and new product launches for on-time deliveries.
• Determined labor hours per store reset and collaborated with vendors for contingency plans on shipments.
• Developed customer-centric solutions by analyzing needs and fostering strong relationships with clients.
• Analyzed sales data and prepared presentations for $322MM quarterly business, optimizing product placement.
• Created tracking tools in Excel and Smartsheet to align financial objectives across all categories.

• Managed $115MM in Aldi cooler commodities through effective supply chain management.
• Analyzed supplier contracts to ensure compliance with company standards.
• Managed relationships with vendors to negotiate pricing and delivery terms.
• Communicated closely and effectively with all partners, including vendors, merchants, and the distribution center, helping to achieve well-timed product deliveries.
• Generated forecasts for future purchasing needs based on historical sales data.
• Oversaw product life cycles and seasonal transitions, ensuring optimal stock levels.
• Developed 150 commodities from concept to shelf, enhancing product offerings.
• Created an extensive commodity tracker in Excel, linking systems for efficient order tracking.
• Constructed consolidated shipping strategies, positively impacting $115MM department performance.
• Analyzed inventory to establish markdown cadence, preserving profit margins.

Responsible for forecasting, assortment planning, financial analysis, and promotional execution for a top-five national retail account generating $30MM in annual sales across 1,200 SKUs.

Direct responsibility for the floral, candle, and seasonal categories, generating $8MM in annual net sales and achieving a 67% gross profit rate. Supported the broader $67MM Décor business through data-driven assortment planning and financial analysis.

Managed the end-to-end development of private-label and sourced assortments, partnering with design, buying, and domestic and international vendors to deliver on cost, quality, and timeline objectives.