Ken Bernier
Purchasing Analyst
Bedford,NH
Summary
Analytical professional in the Natural Foods Industry with 20+ years of experience in purchasing, project management specializing in nutrition and body care products. Successful in maintaining business relationships with existing vendors and identifying new business opportunities to engage with potential suppliers. Expertise in Data Analysis, Data Visualization and Business Intelligence, and Microsoft Office Suite of Applications (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook).
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
North Atlantic Whole Body (HBC) Senior Buyer
Whole Foods Market Inc
Marlborough, MA
09.2015 - 01.2021
- Local purchasing and promotion focus as category management focus shifted to global
- On-boarded several local brands in a region where store volumes varied wildly
- TB12 regionally relevant brand with over $1.4 mil annual sales in 2020
- Stayed current with industry trends and innovations to boost competitiveness and customer appeal.
South Region Whole Body (HBC) Senior Buyer
Whole Foods Market Inc
Roswell, GA
05.2012 - 09.2015
- Streamlined promotion process and planning to execute at a higher level resulting in 2 years of continuous $ sales growth and GIG% growth in promotions
- Introduced category management for new store sets which allowed for quicker store opening times while still maintaining avg new store % of store sales
- Created a process for WB cat review
- Negotiated policies and contracts with vendors to achieve optimal pricing and consistent availability.
South Region Planogram Specialist
Whole Foods Market Inc
Roswell, GA
05.2009 - 05.2012
- Created and maintained store level matrix to identify set sizes in each store
- Created base planos for category resets and new store openings
- Assisted in WB cat review and promotional planning
- Created and maintained planograms for Grocery, Whole Body, and several perishable departments
Vendor Payments Support Specialist
Whole Foods Market Inc
Roswell, GA
11.2007 - 05.2009
- Manage EDI information and daily cost resolution for 150 e-Invoice vendors
- Developed S.O.P. for day-to-day integration steps in setting up, testing, and migrating to production all P2P vendors
- Developed training guidelines for cost discrepancy reconciliation
- Created Access database to manage daily log of activity and progress
- Collaborated with developers to create Cost Accuracy Grids
- Use SQL Server Management Studio to create and run ad-hoc database queries in relation to Vendor Payments as well as other purchasing/accounting/data administration needs
- Provided feedback to product development and engineering teams on customer needs and issues for enhancements.
- Other data control responsibilities
- Developed Excel tools for Data team (UPC check digit calculator/UPC converter/Data Analysis tool)
Whole Body (HBC) Coordinator
Whole Foods Market Inc
Roswell, GA
10.2006 - 11.2007
- Responsible for fiscal performance for the region
- Evaluated operational practices and identified improvement opportunities to develop revisions for systems and procedures.
- Team grew cont margin $3.2mil over FY06
- Largest decrease in labor YOY (53bp) in all regions in Idents for WB depts
- Trained and developed TLs/ATLs/buyers
- Provided tools for category analysis before Global category refreshes were put in place
- Designed and opened 3 stores including stand alone WB store in Nashville
- Performed all functions of regional buyer
- All Star Honorable Mention for FY07
Associate Coordinator/Merchandiser
Whole Foods Market Inc
Roswell, GA
11.2004 - 10.2006
- Worked across Whole Body and Grocery teams
- Performed all duties of regional buyer for WB
- Responsible for new store sets and remodels specific to WB
- Refined new store set to a 17 day process for WB
- Participated in new store sets/remodels for Grocery
- Trained and developed WBTLs/ATLs/buyers
- All Star for FY06 and Honorable Mention for FY05
Whole Body Team Leader, Ponce De Leon
Whole Foods Market Inc
Atlanta, GA
11.2002 - 09.2004
- Listened to customer needs and desires to identify and recommend optimal products.
- Provided exceptional services and pleasant shopping experiences to retail customers.
Associate Nutrition Coordinator SW
Whole Foods Market Inc
Austin, TX
02.2000 - 04.2002
Whole Body (HBC) Team Leader
Whole Foods Market Inc
Dallas, TX
09.1997 - 02.2000
- Buyer/Associate Team Leader/Team Leader in several stores in the DFW Metroplex
Education
University of North Texas Denton, TX
Skills
- Data Analysis
- Buyer Seller Agreements
- Strategic Planning
- Operational Efficiency
- Promotion Planning
- Purchasing Strategies Development
Timeline
North Atlantic Whole Body (HBC) Senior Buyer
Whole Foods Market Inc
09.2015 - 01.2021
South Region Whole Body (HBC) Senior Buyer
Whole Foods Market Inc
05.2012 - 09.2015
South Region Planogram Specialist
Whole Foods Market Inc
05.2009 - 05.2012
Vendor Payments Support Specialist
Whole Foods Market Inc
11.2007 - 05.2009
Whole Body (HBC) Coordinator
Whole Foods Market Inc
10.2006 - 11.2007
Associate Coordinator/Merchandiser
Whole Foods Market Inc
11.2004 - 10.2006
Whole Body Team Leader, Ponce De Leon
Whole Foods Market Inc
11.2002 - 09.2004
Associate Nutrition Coordinator SW
Whole Foods Market Inc
02.2000 - 04.2002
Whole Body (HBC) Team Leader
Whole Foods Market Inc
09.1997 - 02.2000
University of North Texas Denton, TX