Katie Tschida
River Falls,Wisconsin
Summary
Highly organized Supply Chain Leader with experience as a Buyer, Analyst, Supply & Demand Planner, and Planning & Purchasing Manager. I have over 15 years of experience consistently reducing costs, improving supply and demand planning processes, managing many projects simultaneously, and building relationships with vendors and retailers.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Demand Planner III
Toro
Bloomington, MN
08.2024 - Current
- Develop and maintain demand forecasts for Consumer Zero Turn mowers, Portable Power, and Parts & Accessories for the Residential Landscape & Contractor Division using statistical models, historical sales trends, and market intelligence.
- Participate in the monthly Integrated Business Planning (IBP) cycle, contributing to demand reviews and ensuring alignment with sales, marketing, and operations.
- Analyze demand drivers, identify trends, and assess forecast accuracy using data to identify opportunities for improvement.
- Recommend strategies for inventory management, safety stock levels, and product availability to minimize costs and maximize customer satisfaction.
Supply Chain Director
Madesmart
St. Paul, MN
06.2022 - 05.2024
- Implemented Stock IQ (Inventory Planning Software)
- Lead monthly SIOP meeting with internal stakeholders
- Successfully depleted $5M of excess inventory through discount retailers and liquidators
- Re-negotiated contract with our 3PL which reduced storage costs by $40k per month
- Manage Ops team, 3PL and Freight Forwarders
- Manage the supply and demand planning process for all products and customers, purchase inventory from our China factories to support needs focusing on forecast accuracy
Sr. Supply Chain Manager
Made For Retail
Roseville, MN
06.2021 - 06.2022
- Define and execute costing and strategic sourcing initiatives and new business opportunities
- Drive, support and oversea data integrity within our Product Lifecycle Management system (PLM)
- Collaborate with leadership on the implementation of improved processes and cross-functional workflow
Purchasing & Logistics Manager (Contract)
Manhattan Toy
Minneapolis, Minnesota
11.2020 - 06.2021
- Responsible for all import logistics from our overseas factories (including documentation)
- Streamlined purchasing process to optimize containerization, creating shipping and invoicing efficiencies
- Work cross-functionally with Sales regarding planning, and Finance regarding inventory management from a budgeting perspective
Supply Chain Director (promoted)
Madesmart
St. Paul, MN
09.2018 - 04.2020
- Promoted from Planning & Purchasing Manager - additional responsibilities include:
- Management of Operations Team (3 direct reports), Third Party Distribution Center and Freight Forwarder
- Provide the DC with order fulfillment prioritization when necessary
- Complete annual RFPs for Distribution Center and Freight Forwarder
- Hiring and training of Operations Team
Purchasing & Planning Manager
Madesmart
St. Paul, MN
05.2013 - 09.2018
- Manage the supply and demand planning process for products and customers, purchase inventory from our China factories to support needs focusing on forecast accuracy
- Manage 350+ skus and $4 million of inventory at our California warehouse
- Manage entire req to pay process (order management)
- Review customer compliance guidelines to ensure we are meeting all requirements. Research/dispute fines with retailers when appropriate.
- Review and analyze excess and slow-moving inventory and make recommendations for liquidation
- Oversee the replenishment relationships with major retailers through vendor websites (Amazon, Zulily, Target, Walmart, Meijer, etc)
- Ensure integration of inventory planning into financial planning by partnering with Finance to maintain accurate inventory levels to balance cash flow
- Lead various cross functional teams on projects such as new product launches, line extensions, product discontinuation etc.
- Create and issue purchase orders to suppliers, verify order acknowledgements Create load plans for importing inventory into our domestic warehouse
- Communicate with China factories daily and work through any production issues
Education
MBA -
University of Wisconsin-River Falls
River Falls, WI12-2013
Bachelor of Science - Business With A Finance Emphasis
University of Wisconsin-River Falls
River Falls, WI12-2000
Skills
- Experienced Cross-Functional Team Leader
- Proficient in Microsoft Office
- Product Life Cycle Management Project Management
- Oracle NetSuites (ERP)
- Strong Sense of Urgency
- Strong Technical & Analytical Aptitude
- Vendor Management
- Excellent Communication Skills
- Integrated business planning
- Inventory management
- Demand forecasting
Timeline
Demand Planner III
Toro
08.2024 - Current
Supply Chain Director
Madesmart
06.2022 - 05.2024
Sr. Supply Chain Manager
Made For Retail
06.2021 - 06.2022
Purchasing & Logistics Manager (Contract)
Manhattan Toy
11.2020 - 06.2021
Supply Chain Director (promoted)
Madesmart
09.2018 - 04.2020
Purchasing & Planning Manager
Madesmart
05.2013 - 09.2018
MBA -
University of Wisconsin-River Falls
Bachelor of Science - Business With A Finance Emphasis
University of Wisconsin-River Falls
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