James Whittington
Albany,USA
Summary
Accomplished Supply Chain leader with a proven track record of driving strategic sourcing, procurement, and operational excellence across global networks, with diverse experience managing supply chain operations in both startup and large companies. Expertise in fostering cross-functional collaboration, leading high-stakes contract negotiations, and implementing KPIs to enhance performance management. Adept at managing complex logistics, international shipments, and inventory control to ensure compliance with financial audits. Successfully implemented tools and systems to deliver cost savings and scale production from prototype to stable manufacturing. Skilled in optimizing supply chain resilience and operational efficiency. Consistent success in scaling up suppliers while driving assurance of supply, cost reduction, and quality improvements. Known for hiring, training, and developing high-performing teams.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Supply Chain | Supply Chain Manager
Agility Robotics
01.2022 - Current
- Direct global sourcing and procurement strategies across a network of 200+ suppliers with $25M+ total spend, ensuring teams implement supplier management protocols, including quality audits and risk mitigation plans
- Lead teams in material planning and production scheduling through Sales, Inventory, and Operations Planning (SIOP) processes to maintain demand flexibility
- Collaborate with Engineering and Manufacturing leadership to oversee optimized prototype and production builds
- Supervise logistics teams responsible for managing complex international shipments, including high-value and Dangerous Goods
- Oversee inventory management practices to support financial audits, working closely with Finance to ensure accurate accounting and valuation
- Champion operational excellence by guiding the selection and negotiation of an ERP system, realizing $1.6M in savings over five years, and chairing cross-functional review boards for CapEx, Software, and Services
- Secured critical capacity increase and schedule improvement through supplier management, improved payment terms, enhanced overall supply chain resilience
- Led successful negotiations for third-party service provider contracts, supporting the deployment of the world's first commercial humanoid robot at GXO near Atlanta, GA
- Implemented standardized Shipping & Receiving processes and training, improving operational efficiency and compliance across a BOM containing 4,500+ parts
- Introduced department KPIs for Inventory, Logistics, Sourcing, and Procurement, enabling better performance tracking and management
- Interviewed, selected, and trained a diverse team, to support scaling production capabilities from prototype to stable production stages
Global Procurement Manager
HP Inc. - Strategic Ink Business Unit
01.2019 - 01.2022
- Managed a team of ~13 sourcing professionals across the US, Japan, and Singapore, orchestrating procurement activities with an annual spend of $225M+ with a network of global component and service suppliers
- Led the recruitment, onboarding, and training of new staff to bolster the transition to in-house ink manufacturing
- Negotiated multi-year supply agreements, ensuring business continuity planning, capacity expansion, cost reduction, and manufacturing priority with strategic suppliers
- Collaborated closely with Engineering Section Managers to guarantee cost efficiency, quality standards, and availability for all commodities
- Achieved 3-5% year-over-year cost savings by implementing dual sourcing strategies, astute negotiations, and effective product portfolio management
- Fostered early engagement with R&D teams to influence sourcing decisions, optimizing the use of the existing supply base for new product introductions
- Pioneered the redesign of the Worldwide Supplier Categorization system, enhancing the application and frequency of management tools for better supplier oversight
- Enabled efficient procurement and transition plans for the re-site qualification and production ramp-up of high-volume consumer and industrial products
- Partnered with cross-functional teams to drive process improvements and ensure seamless integration of procurement strategies with business objectives
Supply Chain Integrator
HP Inc. CDPS- Strategic Ink
01.2014 - 01.2019
- Managed comprehensive projects to enhance the Inkjet commodity portfolio, focusing on risk reduction and process efficiency
- Developed and implemented innovative agreement tools to safeguard cost, availability of supply, and product quality
- Led initiatives such as process simplification, supply planning optimization, regulatory compliance, and procurement system enhancements
- As Chief of Staff, synthesized departmental metrics, identified areas for resource allocation and investment, and streamlined Director-level processes through meticulous data analysis
- Acted as a central point of contact to resolve cross-functional issues between Engineering and Sourcing, reducing managerial workloads
- Recommended organizational improvements by analyzing resource allocation data
- Oversaw the sourcing, relationship management, contracting, and procurement for 3D Metals R&D for approximately three years, ensuring a robust supply chain for emerging technologies
- Pioneered supply chain leadership for 3D Fluids manufacturing, handling sourcing and bill of materials/cost management to support innovative product development
- Collaborated with University and National Labs as an Alliance Manager, leveraging partnerships to advance organizational objectives and innovation
- Presented departmental results monthly to Directors and General Managers, maintaining transparency and accountability of project status
Supply Chain Strategy & Development Manager
HP Retail Publishing Solutions (RPS)
01.2011 - 01.2014
- Managed a team of ~11 professionals, including Materials Engineers, Commodity Managers, and Buyers, to ensure the smooth execution of procurement and supply chain operations within a dynamic retail publishing sector
- Oversaw the introduction of new hardware, consumables, and licensed software across multiple regions, adhering closely to an annual departmental budget of $3M
- Devised strategic development and performance plans for team members, fostering an environment conducive to achieving departmental objectives and KPIs
- Conducted rigorous supplier negotiations and relationship management, consistently achieving cost reductions and quality improvements
- Pioneered process enhancements for new supplier integration and global inventory management, leading cross-functional teams to meet aggressive product launch timelines
- Successfully negotiated purchase agreements, delivering an average annual cost reduction of $860K over three years
- Implemented key process improvements, significantly enhancing supplier set-up efficiency and worldwide inventory management protocols
- Spearheaded cross-functional regional teams in new product introductions, consistently meeting challenging launch schedules
- Directed the strategic planning and development of the Supply Chain Operations teams, enhancing scalability and supplier performance
- Developed and executed performance plans, resulting in enhanced team capabilities and the removal of obstacles hindering goal attainment
Education
Master of Business Administration -
George Fox University
Newberg, ORBachelor of Science - Psychology
Willamette University
Salem, ORSkills
- Supplier Relationship Management
- Supply Chain Design
- KPI Development & Management
- Demand & Supply Planning
- Strategic Sourcing
- Inventory Oversight & Team Leadership
- Supply Chain Optimization
- Contract Negotiation
- Cross-Functional Team Leadership
- Procurement Management
- Logistics Strategy & Operations Management
Applicabletraining
- People Management: Stanford Accelerated Development for Managers, Management Excellence, IPG Great Manager
- Project Management: Project Management Fundamentals, Presenting to Execs
- Supplier Management/Quality: Quality System Assessment, Green Belt, Lean Manufacturing
- Cost Reduction: Absolute Best Cost course, Zero Base Pricing
- Intellectual Property: IP Licensing Fundamentals & Intermediate, Intellectual Property Management I & II
- Contract Negotiation: Contract Development, Contract Administration, The Savvy Negotiator
- Budget Planning/Management: Finance & Cost Management, Financial NPV Analysis
Timeline
Director of Supply Chain | Supply Chain Manager
Agility Robotics
01.2022 - Current
Global Procurement Manager
HP Inc. - Strategic Ink Business Unit
01.2019 - 01.2022
Supply Chain Integrator
HP Inc. CDPS- Strategic Ink
01.2014 - 01.2019
Supply Chain Strategy & Development Manager
HP Retail Publishing Solutions (RPS)
01.2011 - 01.2014
Master of Business Administration -
George Fox University
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
Willamette University
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