Hi, I’m
Joe Jessup
Walton,KY
Summary
Experienced leader who leverages solid market knowledge and creative business strategies from merchandising, supply chain and replenishment perspective to maximize department sales,profitability.
Overview
39
years of professional experience
Work History
The Kroger Company
Senior Manager Supply Planning - Fresh
01.2023 - Current
Job overview
- Provided strong leadership to enhance team productivity and morale.
- Managed large-scale projects and introduced new systems, tools, and processes to achieve challenging objectives.
- Implemented and developed operational standards, policies and procedures.
- Conducted performance evaluations, compensations and hiring to maintain appropriate staffing requirements.
- Boosted team member productivity by enhancing performance monitoring and instituting motivational approaches.
- Evaluated hiring, firing, and promotions requests.
- Held monthly meetings to create business plans and workshops to drive successful business.
- Reviewed and analyzed reports, records and directives to obtain data required for planning department activities.
- Executed appropriate staffing and budgetary plans to align with business forecasts.
- Recommended and implemented successful strategies to maximize revenue.
- Produced staffing matrix to provide adequate coverage of department.
- Examined quarterly financials to determine business operating capacity.
- Modified inventory control programs to maintain and enhance annual business plan.
- Developed presentations for internal and external audiences.
The Kroger Company
Replenishment Coordinator
01.2014 - 01.2023
Job overview
- Partnered with division merchandiser's, procurement, logistics needs.
- Lead, directed replenishment team members.
- Coordinated buyer activities, execute category plans.
- Lead efforts, effectively coordinated buyer, floral processing centers work flow efficiency.
- Product cost negotiation, execution of contracts.
- Maintained acceptable vendor relationships.
- Assured product quality standards.
- Collaborated with division staff, accomplish efficient communication in procurement, logistics, information systems, services arenas.
- Conducted meetings with suppliers, transportation involving seasonal, holiday shipping.
- Maintained focus, sense of urgency regarding total team performance, divisional sales.
- Managed cross-dock operations, performance, standards, cost negotiations.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in team environment.
- Self-motivated, with strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
- Worked well in team setting, providing support and guidance.
- Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
- Managed time efficiently in order to complete all tasks within deadlines.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
The Kroger Company
Produce/Floral Sales Planner
01.2009 - 01.2014
Job overview
- Developed classified, sales plans, achieve sales, profit goals.
- Achieved company sales, profit objectives.
- Developed store ready sales plans.
- Used green leadership practices, build positive working relationships.
- Implemented and planned sales strategies and campaigns and marketing initiatives to meet sales goals and budgets.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of products and services offered to customers.
- Coordinated with other departments to provide smooth execution of sales initiatives.
- Monitored daily sales performance
The Kroger Company
Floral Category Manager
01.2005 - 01.2009
Job overview
- Provided top level direction, division merchandiser, procurement team concerning variety, quality, promotional activity, merchandising recommendations.
- Identified best practices, missed opportunities within category, communicated plan to merchandiser's to improve sales, profit performance.
- Developed private label products.
- Created scorecard's, evaluate execution of corporate plans.
- Monitored market to capitalize on latest trends.
- Identified and reported key performance indicators to define successful category management.
- Partnered with buyers to develop category-appropriate order frequency for spend under management.
- Researched, prepared for and led supplier negotiation process for managed category.
- Reduced business risk by improving contract coverage for suppliers in spend category.
- Practiced standard sourcing process of opportunity assessment through supplier on-boarding to achieve goals.
- Developed and executed spend category to support business objectives.
- Fostered positive work atmosphere by acting and communicating collaboratively with customers.
- Visited supplier offices and plants to investigate facilities and capacity to meet quality requirements, specifications and delivery dates.
- Mitigated business risk and improved customer lead times through thoughtful supplier network design.
- Incorporated suggested changes to layouts and promotions to drive sales.
- Assisted in conducting audits of key suppliers and monitored supplier performance.
- Mentored local personnel on best practices and protocols to maximize productivity.
The Kroger Company
Floral Procurement Manager
01.2003 - 01.2005
Job overview
- Assisted category manager communication, corporate category plan implementation.
- Negotiated product costs, procured products with industry suppliers.
- Visited divisions, solicited product quality, selection feedback.
- Negotiated contracts with suppliers to obtain favorable terms and pricing.
- Resolved invoice and payment issues to facilitate prompt payment to suppliers.
- Developed and implemented procurement policies and procedures to enhance compliance with company standards.
- Managed supply chain process, from order placement to delivery, to facilitate on-time and accurate fulfillment.
- Prepared and presented reports to management on purchasing trends and cost savings to aid in decision making.
- Developed and maintained relationships with key suppliers for smooth communication and to meet required expectations.
- Analyzed supplier contracts to confirm compliance with company policies and procedures.
- Evaluated supplier quotes based on purchasing procedures and competitiveness in quality, price and delivery.
- Negotiated complex corporate procurement contracts by working closely with internal and external contacts.
- Created and maintained portfolio of qualified vendors to expand options.
- Reviewed and issued contracts and blanket purchase orders after choosing ideal vendor and drive procurement process.
- Analyzed market conditions to make informed decisions on pricing and purchasing strategies.
- Utilized market intelligence to identify opportunities for savings and cost reduction.
- Led sourcing process for new vendors to get quality products and services and mitigate risk.
- Negotiated pricing and terms with vendors to secure best value for company.
- Researched and evaluated potential suppliers to determine best fits for company needs and to identify cost savings opportunities.
- Hired and trained purchasing staff to improve effectiveness of purchasing operations.
- Monitored inventory levels and avoided shortages with timely replenishment of stock.
- Generated reports on purchasing activities to support management decisions.
- Reviewed and approved purchase orders and invoices for accuracy and completeness.
- Facilitated resolution of vendor disputes and discrepancies.
- Identified opportunities to reduce lead times and improve inventory management.
- Communicated regularly with suppliers to uphold accountability for quality standards and timely delivery of goods.
- Reduced costs by streamlining contract bidding and procurement processes to assure best prices for materials and services.
- Assessed areas of service concern and developed improvement plans.
- Cultivated strong relationships with vendors to maintain and improve levels of customer service.
- Devised and implemented strategies to optimize purchasing processes and reduce costs.
- Created purchasing policies and procedures that complied with company standards and regulatory requirements.
The Kroger Company
Produce MR/Field Specialist
01.2002 - 01.2003
The Kroger Company
Store Manager/Assistant Store Manager
01.1995 - 01.2002
The Kroger Company
Meat Clerk
01.1993 - 01.1995
United States Army
Communications Specialist – Teletype Operator
01.1989 - 01.1992
Job overview
The Kroger Company
Drug/GM Clerk, Drug/GM Receiver/Manager
01.1985 - 01.1989
Job overview
Education
Edison State Community CollegePiqua, OH
Associate of Applied Business from Accounting
University of CincinnatiCincinnati, OH
Supervisory Management Certificate Program from Management
Skills
- Customer 1st
- Quality Assurance
- Merchandising
- Industry knowledge
- Strategic thinker, planning
- Skilled problem solver
- Vendor sourcing, negotiations
- Budgeting and Forecasting
- Staff training, development
- Process improvement
- Logistics management
- Superior organization ability
- Self-motivated nature
- Natural Leader
Accomplishments
Developed and Led Implementation of E2E Inventory Pre-Screening Pilot
Context and Objectives
- Shifting poll times powerful lever in eliminating blind ordering for stores
- Previous order screening process a constraint in the order and delivery cycle
- Inventory now screened before poll and process time
- Goal to leverage existing tools and recent enhancements to release this constraint
Results
- Key metrics –Service Level, Days of Supply, and Distributions remain in line with enterprise results
- Additional flexibility for buyers throughout the day
- Buyers more in tune with inventory levels
Replenishment Leader of E2E Fresher than Fresh (Ongoing)
Context and Objectives
- Improved freshness for customer by 1.0 to 1.5 days
- Reducing DoS by 1 day across all produce commodities and DC’s has potential to result in: working capital improvement and annual holding cost reduction
Results
- Steady reduction in Days of Supply in focus commodities – Strawberries, Tomatoes, and Packaged Salads while maintaining Service Level and Distribution numbers in line with enterprise results
- Looking to expand into additional commodities in the near future – Grapes, Broccoli/Cauliflower, Vegetables – Salad, Bulk and Packaged
Partnered in Developing, implementing spec book, QA training for Quality Assurance at DC level
- Developed, oversaw, implemented QA training for in conjunction with industry, corporate resources.
Partnered in Developing, launching special order process
- User friendly process/system to better service needs of customers, stores.
Alaska supply chain project
- Worked in conjunction with corporate supply chain team in development, implementation of new supply chain model for Alaska floral.
Partnered in Development, implementation of new x dock operations
- Results included controlled facilities with enforced inbound temperature guidelines,improvement in order lead time, estimated savings of $565,000 annually from embedding consolidation point into supplier base.
Partnered in Development, Implementation new everyday bouquet program
- Continues to be key driver to floral results across all divisions, top 5 floral commodity.
Partnered in Development, Implementation everyday rose program
- Continues to be key driver to floral results across all divisions,#1 floral commodity.
Led Development implementation of plan to move floral promo planning to 36 weeks out
- Achievement of goal allowed for product to be secured for customers' needs in advance of competitors, resulted in successful sales, profit results.
Oversaw training, development of commodity buying team
- Allowed for seamless transition of floral functions between offices
Led transition of floral replenishment from Vero Beach, FL to Blue Ash, OH
- Results included hiring, training of new associates to assume roles as replenishment buyers.
Led transition to Kroger systems at Kendal North facility (KNFC)
- Allowed for facility to operate true floral distribution center for Fred Meyer, QFC divisions.
Led southeast floral replenishment team through transition from SFC to Fort Gillem distribution center
- Transition from SFC to Fort Gillem was completed as scheduled.
Timeline
Senior Manager Supply Planning - Fresh
The Kroger Company
01.2023 - Current
Replenishment Coordinator
The Kroger Company
01.2014 - 01.2023
Produce/Floral Sales Planner
The Kroger Company
01.2009 - 01.2014
Floral Category Manager
The Kroger Company
01.2005 - 01.2009
Floral Procurement Manager
The Kroger Company
01.2003 - 01.2005
Produce MR/Field Specialist
The Kroger Company
01.2002 - 01.2003
Store Manager/Assistant Store Manager
The Kroger Company
01.1995 - 01.2002
Meat Clerk
The Kroger Company
01.1993 - 01.1995
Communications Specialist – Teletype Operator
United States Army
01.1989 - 01.1992
Drug/GM Clerk, Drug/GM Receiver/Manager
The Kroger Company
01.1985 - 01.1989
Edison State Community College
Associate of Applied Business from Accounting
University of Cincinnati
Supervisory Management Certificate Program from Management
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