Kari Freeman
Lake Worth,FL
Summary
Achieved significant cost savings through effective purchasing strategies in Fortune 500 companies. Delivered streamlined procurement processes as a senior procurement manager, resulting in improved efficiency. Drove category management success as a senior category manager, enhancing product offerings. Increased market share through innovative marketing strategies as a marketing manager. Launched successful products as a product development manager, meeting customer demands. Secured key accounts as a senior national account manager, boosting sales growth. Established valuable partnerships as a partner manager, expanding market reach. Optimized purchasing decisions as a senior buyer, ensuring quality and value. Enhanced district and store performance through effective management strategies.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Purchasing
DEVOTED PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
Lake Worth, FL
10.2022 - Current
- Full Ownership of purchasing, invoicing, vendor negotiations and supply chain operations.
- Manage Procurement P2P using Coupa for budgeting and Ariba for RFPs and vendor contracts.
Lead Category Manager
THE NORTHWEST COMPANY
Boca Raton, FL
09.2021 - 09.2022
- Procurement and Marketing manager for Technology, Electronics, Furniture, Appliances and Office Supplies for CostULess warehouse club reseller to commercial and retail customers.
- Ownership of P&Ls, budgets, procurement, and marketing strategies by planning and ordering of products and supply chain operations that drove profitable business across all categories.
Senior Procurement Manager
G4S SECURE SOLUTIONS
Jupiter, FL
12.2018 - 09.2021
- Senior procurement supply chain manager for Corporate Services, Marketing, Telecommunications, Technology, IT Networks, Office Supplies and Furniture for 150+ corporate offices and 50,000+ employees.
- Developed profitable strategies and executed successful projects designed to improve business productivity that reduced total cost of ownership for nationwide and global entities.
Senior Category Manager
OFFICE DEPOT / OFFICE MAX
Boca Raton, FL
10.2016 - 02.2018
- Senior strategic leader for $800M sales, supply chain, budgeting, product owner and marketing that drove net incremental business generating $90M margin dollars annually selling Office Supplies across 1200 retail stores, eCommerce sites, direct catalogs, and commercial accounts.
Senior National Account Manager
LEXMARK
Lake Worth, FL
12.2007 - 07.2016
- Senior leader for $350M sales, marketing, supply chain and budgeting for Managed Print and Software Services by negotiating strategic contracts and partnering with Chief Executives for Office Depot, Office Max, Staples, Costco, Walmart, Amazon, eCommerce, and reseller accounts.
Senior Category Manager
GOTTSCHALKS
Fresno, CA
06.2006 - 12.2007
- Senior team leader for $150M sales, marketing, supply chain and planning by importing exclusive impulse categories in Home Décor, Garden and Toys with 100% margins and 12x annual turns.
Senior Category Buyer
STAPLES
Framingham, MA
09.2000 - 06.2006
- Senior strategic leader for $500M sales, marketing, and supply chain planning by reducing obsolete inventory and developing new Office Furniture product brands that increased sales by 200% across 1600 retail stores, eCommerce sites, direct catalogs, and commercial accounts.
Education
Associate of Science -
Portland Community College
Portland, ORSkills
STRATEGIC PLANNING
PROCUREMENT SOURCING
SUPPLY CHAIN LOGISTICS
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
PURCHASE NEGOTIATIONS
CONTRACT MANAGEMENT
OPERATIONS EXECUTION
FINANCIAL PLANNING
INVENTORY CONTROL
Vendor negotiation
Supply chain management
Procurement strategy
Budget management
Cost reduction initiatives
P2P process optimization
RFP development
Contract negotiation
Market analysis
Strategic sourcing
Inventory management
Category management
Pricing strategies
Cross-functional collaboration
Risk assessment and mitigation
Data analysis and reporting
Performance metrics tracking
Team leadership and mentoring
Supplier relationship management
Project execution and delivery
Negotiation expertise
Supply chain optimization
Global procurement
E-procurement systems
Demand forecasting
Budget planning
Sustainability practices
Cost reduction strategies
Procurement process improvement
Vendor evaluation
Purchase order management
Import-export regulations
Procurement expertise
Supplier performance evaluation
Supplier negotiation
Operations management
Material requirement planning
Efficiency improvement
Document preparation
Strategic planning
Supplier relations
Resourcefulness
New vendor setup
Project management
Cost controls
Compliance management
Inventory coordination
Data analysis
Spend analysis
Quality assurance standards
Professional demeanor
Bidding processes
Property accountability
Price negotiation
Account management
Stakeholder relationship development
Distribution experience
Vendor relationship management
Stakeholder relations
Cost reduction
Business administration
Vendor sourcing
Program coordination
Process development
Advertising
Bid process management
Logistics coordination
Sustainable procurement
Financial administration
Total cost of ownership
Value engineering
Trend analysis
Request for proposal
Pricing structures
Bid coordination
Financial acumen
Profit and loss
Reporting
Global sourcing
Professional communication skills
Supplier tracking
Strategic sourcing planning
Policy improvements
Multitasking capacity
Teamwork
Teamwork and collaboration
Customer service
Problem-solving
Procurement process
Time management
Problem-solving abilities
Multitasking Abilities
Reliability
Excellent communication
Critical thinking
Organizational skills
Accomplishments
- Proficient with Microsoft Office XP and Google Suite: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Smartsheet, Outlook, Access, Essbase, SharePoint, Google Drive, Google Forms
Timeline
Director of Purchasing
DEVOTED PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
10.2022 - Current
Lead Category Manager
THE NORTHWEST COMPANY
09.2021 - 09.2022
Senior Procurement Manager
G4S SECURE SOLUTIONS
12.2018 - 09.2021
Senior Category Manager
OFFICE DEPOT / OFFICE MAX
10.2016 - 02.2018
Senior National Account Manager
LEXMARK
12.2007 - 07.2016
Senior Category Manager
GOTTSCHALKS
06.2006 - 12.2007
Senior Category Buyer
STAPLES
09.2000 - 06.2006
Associate of Science -
Portland Community College