Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Technology And Systems
Personal Information
Timeline
Generic

Jennifer Cowles

Portsmouth,VA

Summary

Strategic sourcing and supply chain professional with progressive experience supporting global operations across industrial minerals, metals, food manufacturing, logistics, and 3PL environments. Demonstrated ability to collect and analyze technical and commercial data, benchmark suppliers, support RFx processes, and generate spend and cost analysis to inform category strategies. Proven collaborator with hands-on experience in SAP, Excel-based analysis, supplier coordination, margin analysis, forecasting, and KPI-driven decision making.

Overview

12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Supply Chain / Import Trades Specialist

Imerys Minerals
Chesapeake, VA
08.2022 - Current
  • Collect and analyze technical, commercial, and pricing data including product specifications, packaging requirements, volumes, lead times, and supplier capabilities to support sourcing and logistics decisions.
  • Benchmark suppliers and logistics service providers by evaluating cost structures, service levels, and delivery performance to identify best-value solutions.
  • Support RFx-style sourcing efforts by compiling bid-related data, defining requirements, and partnering with internal stakeholders to align evaluation criteria and decision matrices.
  • Perform detailed margin, freight, and landed-cost analysis using SAP and Excel to validate pricing accuracy and identify cost-saving opportunities.
  • Analyze post-shipment and post-bid performance data to provide recommendations on supplier selection, service improvements, and cost optimization.
  • Develop and maintain reporting on transport costs, lead times, and supplier performance to support leadership decision-making.
  • Conduct ongoing market analysis of transportation and import cost trends, providing input on rate movements and market conditions.
  • Collaborate with brokers, carriers, and suppliers to streamline processes, ensure compliance, and improve service reliability.
  • Review replenishment strategies using forecast and sales data to optimize inventory levels and reduce supply risk.

Corporate Customer Service Manager

North America Canada Metal (Pacific) Ltd.
Suffolk, VA
02.2021 - 06.2022
  • Analyzed operational, service, and warranty data to identify trends, root causes, and improvement opportunities impacting cost and customer satisfaction.
  • Partnered cross-functionally with Production, Sales, and Supply Chain teams to define requirements, prioritize initiatives, and resolve material availability and backorder issues.
  • Supported pricing accuracy and claims resolution through detailed data review and documentation.
  • Developed standardized procedures, escalation policies, and reporting structures to improve consistency, compliance, and efficiency.
  • Built and generate facility production reports, hosting daily production meetings discussing the relative collected data and how it pertains to/impacts our Monthly/Annual goals.
  • Generated and reviewed performance metrics and dashboards to provide actionable insights to leadership.
  • Led process improvement initiatives aligned with quality management standards (ISO 9001).
  • Acted as warranty subject matter expert, answering internal and external questions and inquiries.
  • Maintained purchasing modules in SAP and utilized MS Office (Excel/Word) for data analysis and reporting.
  • Assessed personnel performance and implemented incentives and team-building.
  • Coached employees through day-to-day work and complex problems
  • Built sustainable relationships of trust through open and interactive communication with both internal and external customers in addition to conducting Customer Service Satisfactory Surveys.

Customer Service Coordinator

Smithfield Foods, Inc.
Suffolk, VA
10.2019 - 07.2020
  • Supported supply planning and sourcing activities by identifying potential product gaps and coordinating mitigation strategies.
  • Analyzed invoice discrepancies, deductions, and freight claims, contributing to cost recovery and spend accuracy.
  • Generated detailed operational and logistics reports to support decision making across multiple business units.
  • Processed purchase orders through EDI and manual channels, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
  • Coordinated with logistics providers to resolve transportation issues and maintain service levels.
  • Managed time-sensitive invoicing and credit rebills, ensuring financial accuracy and compliance.
  • Managed end-to-end order lifecycle for domestic and international accounts, collaborating with Supply Chain to minimize shortages, late deliveries, and OTIF penalties while driving corrective and recovery actions through root cause analysis.
  • Maintained and created data reports for all business lines.
  • Proactively communicated with sales/ brokers on any logistical issues pertaining to internal and external customer providing resolutions and updated logistical data.

Account Coordinator

Maersk Inc.
Chesapeake, VA
02.2018 - 04.2019
  • Maintained compliance with customer KPIs and SLAs through detailed documentation, performance tracking, and proactive communication.
  • Tracked service failures and operational exceptions, providing actionable insights to management.
  • Collaborated with carriers, brokers, and customers to manage equipment availability and transportation capacity.
  • Conducted daily asset movement reviews and validated carrier data to ensure operational accuracy.
  • Supported forecasting accuracy to meet customer production targets and minimize supply disruptions.
  • Developed and implemented SOPs for onboarding and operational consistency.
  • Assist wider commercial team in UK, and globally, as required.
  • Oversee documentation flow, data entry, and billing for accounts.

E-Commerce Customer Account Coordinator

Greenwave Commerce LLC
Chantilly, VA
02.2014 - 02.2018
  • Managed end-to-end order fulfillment, supplier coordination, and logistics tracking across multiple platforms.
  • Analyzed inventory availability and SKU data to support purchasing and sourcing decisions.
  • Resolved shipment discrepancies and warranty claims, ensuring timely replacement of parts and materials.
  • Generated invoices, reconciled billing discrepancies, and maintained accurate claims databases.
  • Conducted logistics research to improve delivery timelines and supplier performance.
  • Negotiated pricing, delivery schedules, and payment terms with suppliers, securing cost savings and improved terms.

Education

High School Diploma -

Hessle High School
Kingston Upon Hull, United Kingdom

English Language and Literature (Credits)

Tidewater Community College
Virginia Beach, VA

Skills

  • Strategic Sourcing & Cost Analysis
  • Supplier Performance & Relationship Management
  • Spend & Margin Analysis
  • Contract & Policy Compliance
  • Supply Chain & Inventory Optimization
  • Forecasting & Demand Planning
  • Continuous Improvement / SOP Development
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • ERP & Data Analysis Tools
  • Microsoft Office Suite
  • SAP
  • AX ERP
  • Delmia Quintiq
  • Salesforce
  • Google Workspace

Certification

ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management Systems, 2021-12-01, C331037

Technology And Systems

  • Microsoft Office Suite
  • SAP
  • AX ERP
  • Delmia Quintiq
  • Salesforce
  • Google Workspace

Personal Information

Title: Strategic Sourcing Analyst

Timeline

Supply Chain / Import Trades Specialist

Imerys Minerals
08.2022 - Current

Corporate Customer Service Manager

North America Canada Metal (Pacific) Ltd.
02.2021 - 06.2022

Customer Service Coordinator

Smithfield Foods, Inc.
10.2019 - 07.2020

Account Coordinator

Maersk Inc.
02.2018 - 04.2019

E-Commerce Customer Account Coordinator

Greenwave Commerce LLC
02.2014 - 02.2018

English Language and Literature (Credits)

Tidewater Community College

High School Diploma -

Hessle High School