Kevin A. Alston Jr.
Parrish
Summary
Dedicated and driven purchasing professional with over 23 years of experience. An organized and attentive team-player who is relentless in the chase of the company and personal goals. Currently seeking a position where I can utilize my ability to elevate, collaborate and evolve the direction of the organization.
Professional in procurement, equipped to drive impactful results. Proven track record in managing purchasing processes, supplier relationships, and inventory control. Strong focus on team collaboration, reliability, and adaptability to changing needs. Skilled in negotiation, vendor management, and cost-saving strategies. Highly valued for precision, consistency, and effective communication.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Purchasing Clerk
Graber Cabinets
Bradenton, FL
01.2025 - 01.2026
- Purchased all materials and stock items for upcoming projects
- Established strong vendor relationships for inventory control and preferred pricing
- Managed logistics from all vendor for timely deliveries
- Provided support on all levels to make sure jobs was shipped on time
- Proactively seek new opportunities for pricing to help bring in better margins by developing vendor relationships and current business needs
Sales Director
Solid Ground Sales
Lakewood Ranch, FL
01.2024 - 01.2024
- Developed and implemented training protocols for sales team to follow.
- Created an onboarding process for all new sales rep and lead gen members.
- Set targets for each team member and strategize ways to achieve.
- Worked along with HR to create unique development plan for each team member.
- Partnered with HR to create a plan for underperforming team members.
- Analyzed data and trends in the business to shift resources as needed.
- Worked with lead Generation/IT for allocations of resources.
- Held team meetings to provide guidance and support to team.
- Had touch bases and 1:1 for specialize training and individualize growth for each team member.
Buyer
Champs Sports
St. Petersburg, FL
01.2020 - 01.2024
- Growth in total Accessories business from $75 million to $100 million.
- Created unique product positioning in the Headwear and Underwear space for Champs Sports.
- Developed in conjunction with the instore team to create an elevated best in class shopping experience for the consumer
- Built new business by finding new vendor partners and bring new non comp ideas
- Research relevant data through observation of social media, vendor presentations, and pivotal cultural moments to create sales opportunity
- Strategized cross functional to bring a best in class experience to brick & mortar and E-Comm for our core customer; creating an omni experience.
- Worked with planning team on monitoring and communicating pricing and inventory levels
- Reviewed with my Planning and allocation team forecasting to maximize budget and store levels based on sales
- Managed, supported and mentored members on my team
- Trained and lead team members with onboarding and developing
- Held team meetings and guided team on weekly and monthly projects
- Provided support on all levels to make sure team was job was completed
- Established strong vendor relationships for inventory control and preferred positioning.
- Worked with logistics and vendors on the routing process.
- Onboarded new vendor partners
- Created solutions on aged product by working with the vendor or created an exit strategy
Associate Headwear and Footwear Buyer History
Champs Sports
Bradenton, FL
01.2011 - 01.2020
- Operated cross functional to execute the corporate strategy across all levels.
- Presented future assortment plans with strategic details on door counts, marketing plans and product placement.
- Trend Identification
- Created templates for collections and looked for innovative ways to bring the product to life at retail.
- Built vendor relationships to gain preferred positioning and inventory control.
- Trained and lead team members with onboarding and developing
- Held team meetings and guided team on weekly and monthly projects
- Provided support on all levels to make sure team was job was completed
Education
High School Diploma -
Poughkeepsie High School
Poughkeepsie, NY06-1999
Skills
- Attention to details
- Interpersonal Skills with Team and vendor community
- Strong integrity
- Collaborating within a matrix organization
- Driven and self-motivated
- Look for innovated solution to common or new problems
- Proficient in MS Office (Excel, Word, Power Point Power BI and Peoplesoft application)
- Ability to maintain positive company image and brand
- Invoice verification
- Inventory monitoring
- Procurement strategy
- Budget planning
- Order tracking
- Supplier negotiation
- Vendor relationships
Accomplishments
- Merchandiser of the Year for Footwear 2010
- Team of the Year for Acc/Headwear 2022
MILITARY
Honorable Discharge, United States Army
Timeline
Purchasing Clerk
Graber Cabinets
01.2025 - 01.2026
Sales Director
Solid Ground Sales
01.2024 - 01.2024
Buyer
Champs Sports
01.2020 - 01.2024
Associate Headwear and Footwear Buyer History
Champs Sports
01.2011 - 01.2020
High School Diploma -
Poughkeepsie High School