Gerald Benavides Jr.
Summary
Dynamic Category Specialist with expertise in managing over 3,000 SKUs and driving supplier performance. Skilled in effective communication and contract execution, contributing to significant cost savings and enhanced product availability.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Category Specialist - Equipment and Parts
Whataburger
11.2024 - Current
- Manage supplier relationships to ensure product availability and quality.
- Oversee life cycle of 3000 equipment and parts SKUs
- Execute contracts with equipment and parts manufacturers.
- Executed a contract yielding approximately $800K in savings within a single fiscal year.
- Secured a long-term contract worth $18M over two years, effective 2025.
- Evaluates supplier performance metrics, focusing on cost reduction, lead times and fill rates.
- Facilitates cross-functional communication between internal teams and external vendors to streamline logistics
Equipment, Procurement and Consolidation
Whataburger
11.2022 - 11.2024
- Oversaw supplier relationships and coordinated kitchen consolidation efforts for new unit openings to streamline operations.
- Updated and maintained databases with current kitchen equipment and parts to ensure accurate procurement decisions.
- Established strong relationships with vendors resulting in cost savings on equipment procurement.
Procurement Services
Whataburger
12.2017 - 11.2022
- Processed invoices and created purchase orders for suppliers for kitchen and equipment parts
- Worked closely with Group Purchasing Organization to ensure pricing on purchase orders was accurate
- Handled sensitive information with discretion, maintaining confidentiality throughout the procurement process.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Mass Communication
Texas Tech University
Lubbock, TX12-2012
Skills
- Supplier management
- SKU management
- Pricing negotiation
- Contract execution
- Effective communication
- Procurement strategies
- Teamwork and collaboration
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Category Specialist - Equipment and Parts
Whataburger
11.2024 - Current
Equipment, Procurement and Consolidation
Whataburger
11.2022 - 11.2024
Procurement Services
Whataburger
12.2017 - 11.2022
Bachelor of Arts - Mass Communication
Texas Tech University