DENNIS MEYER-RAZON
Saint Paul,MN
Summary
Strategic and results-driven procurement and supply chain professional with 19+ years of experience in strategic sourcing, supplier diversification, risk mitigation, and cost optimization. Proven success in implementing long-term sourcing strategies, leading cross-functional teams, and negotiating high-value contracts to enhance supply chain resilience. Adept at supplier management, procurement budget forecasting, and utilizing data analytics for decision-making. Strong background in ERP systems, contract administration, and process improvement.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Category Manager - Transportation
CHS, Inc.
01.2023 - Current
- Developed and implemented strategic sourcing initiatives, achieving $3M in cost savings for FY2024
- Led supplier qualification and risk mitigation strategies, ensuring a diversified and resilient supply base for a 2,000-vehicle light-duty fleet
- Negotiated supplier contracts, improving service levels and reducing procurement costs
- Optimized procurement processes, implementing inventory management strategies across 17 maintenance facilities
- Developed KPIs and supplier performance benchmarks to enhance supply chain efficiency
- Partnered with finance and operations teams to forecast and manage procurement budgets effectively
- Coordinated cross-functional teams to develop and implement category plans.
- Trained and mentored team members, fostering a collaborative and high-performance environment.
Procurement Manager
Entegris
07.2021 - 01.2023
- Managed a $35M inventory portfolio, maintaining a 98% in-stock rate while reducing excess inventory by $10M
- Conducted risk assessments on key suppliers and developed business continuity plans, mitigating supply chain disruptions
- Developed cost-effective procurement strategies, leveraging tariff insights and market trends
- Negotiated long-term supplier agreements, ensuring cost savings and improved service levels
- Utilized data analytics to optimize purchasing decisions, reducing cycle times and improving contract performance
- Negotiated contracts with suppliers to obtain favorable terms and pricing.
- Reduced procurement costs by implementing strategic sourcing initiatives and negotiating favorable contracts with suppliers.
- Developed strong relationships with key suppliers, resulting in improved communication, better pricing, and reliable delivery schedules.
Sr. Buyer
Tapemark Company
01.2020 - 03.2021
- Negotiated over $80,000 in cost savings in 2020 through strategic supplier agreements
- Conducted in-depth cost and margin analysis, ensuring a consistent 45% margin on key products
- Managed pharmaceutical inventory levels, maintaining a 98% in-stock rate while optimizing procurement costs
- Led sourcing initiatives to ensure timely delivery of high-value pharmaceutical products
- Negotiated favorable contracts, reducing supplier risk while ensuring quality and reliability
- Implemented strategic supplier management practices to improve supply chain resilience
Buyer/Planner
Hercules OEM
09.2019 - 01.2020
- Achieved 6 inventory turns per year, optimizing supply chain efficiency
- Negotiated and secured over $45,000 in cost savings through supplier agreements
- Conducted supplier evaluations, optimizing vendor selection based on cost, quality, and reliability
- Implemented inventory control measures, reducing excess stock while ensuring availability
- Developed procurement strategies to align with company cost-saving goals
Purchasing Manager
WuXi AppTec
09.2014 - 12.2016
- Led a 3-member procurement team, managing $10M in annual purchasing volume
- Negotiated contracts delivering an average of $200,000 in annual cost savings
- Developed and executed cost reduction and waste elimination policies, improving operational efficiency
- Established a cross-functional team, reducing purchasing cycle times by 10% year-over-year
- Strengthened supplier relationships, improving contract terms and service levels
- Conducted risk assessments, ensuring business continuity and supply chain resilience
- Implemented policies to reduce cost and eliminate waste.
- Established long-term agreements with strategic suppliers, securing favorable pricing and delivery terms.
- Trained junior staff members on best practices in purchasing management, contributing to their professional development and growth within the organization.
Strategic Sourcing Specialist
Diversified Distribution Systems
01.2012 - 08.2014
- Managed $2M in sourcing spend, optimizing procurement strategies to drive cost efficiency
- Negotiated multi-year contracts with suppliers, achieving favorable terms and cost savings
- Conducted supplier outreach and due diligence to identify market opportunities
- Developed and implemented procurement processes, improving supply chain effectiveness
- Led RFP submissions and product category reviews to ensure lowest cost sourcing
- Provided strategic insights to senior leadership, supporting procurement decision-making
Global Sourcing Manager
Sears Holdings Corporation
08.2006 - 08.2011
- Managed $130M FOB direct import portfolio for Women's woven tops, coordinates, and dresses
- Monitored global raw material pricing trends to develop cost-effective sourcing strategies
- Led contract negotiations, securing over $1M in cost savings annually through supplier agreements
- Conducted vendor audits to ensure compliance with company and industry standards
- Collaborated with the design team to align product specifications with cost-optimization goals
- Developed new vendor relationships, expanding sourcing capabilities and reducing risk
- Enhanced supplier relationships by conducting regular performance evaluations and providing constructive feedback.
- Optimized global sourcing strategies through comprehensive market research and analysis of industry trends.
Education
Master of Science - Supply Chain Management
University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management
Minneapolis, Minnesota08.2023
Bachelor of Applied Science - Organizational Leadership
University of Arizona
Tucson, Arizona05.2021
Skills
- Category Strategy Development
- Supplier Diversification
- Risk Mitigation Strategies
- Value Engineering & Cost Reduction
- Supply Chain Resilience
- Supplier Performance Benchmarking
- Contract Administration & Negotiation
- Tariffs & Trade Compliance
- Lean Six Sigma & Value Stream Mapping
- ERP (SAP, Great Plains, D365, Rocky Soft)
- Inventory Management & Optimization
- Budget Forecasting & Cost Analysis
- KPI Development & Benchmarking
- Team Leadership & Development
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Executive-Level Presentations
- Change Management
- Category analysis
- Market trends
- Vendor management
- Product development
- Budget management
- Negotiation skills
- Cost analysis
- Inventory control
- Pricing strategy
- Cross-functional teams
- Data-driven decision-making
- Performance metrics
- Competitive analysis
- Strategic partnerships
- Team leadership
- Process improvement
- Stakeholder engagement
- Relationship building
- Risk management
- Change management
- Supplier relationships
Skills
Category Strategy Development, Supplier Diversification, Risk Mitigation Strategies, Value Engineering & Cost Reduction, Supply Chain Resilience, Supplier Performance Benchmarking, Contract Administration & Negotiation, Tariffs & Trade Compliance, Lean Six Sigma & Value Stream Mapping, ERP (SAP, Great Plains, D365, Rocky Soft), Inventory Management & Optimization, Budget Forecasting & Cost Analysis, KPI Development & Benchmarking, Team Leadership & Development, Stakeholder Engagement, Executive-Level Presentations, Change Management
Timeline
Category Manager - Transportation
CHS, Inc.
01.2023 - Current
Procurement Manager
Entegris
07.2021 - 01.2023
Sr. Buyer
Tapemark Company
01.2020 - 03.2021
Buyer/Planner
Hercules OEM
09.2019 - 01.2020
Purchasing Manager
WuXi AppTec
09.2014 - 12.2016
Strategic Sourcing Specialist
Diversified Distribution Systems
01.2012 - 08.2014
Global Sourcing Manager
Sears Holdings Corporation
08.2006 - 08.2011
Master of Science - Supply Chain Management
University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management
Bachelor of Applied Science - Organizational Leadership
University of Arizona
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