Kristin Martin
Nashua
Summary
Sr Buyer with experience in supporting emerging technologies through continuous improvement in project management. Identifies and implements effective process solutions by leveraging tools and methods to solve problems and enhance productivity. Excels in adapting to fast-paced environments and driving technological advancements.
Overview
40
40
years of professional experience
Work History
Sr Buyer/Planner
Berkshire Grey, Inc.
11.2021 - Current
- Led sourcing strategies and weekly cadence meetings to identify cost-effective opportunities, optimize supplier relationships and performance, drive continuous improvement initiatives, reduce costs, and ensure compliance with company standards and policies.
- Collaborated with cross-functional engineering and supply chain teams to identify opportunities for cost reduction, process improvement, and alignment with purchasing strategies, and organizational goals.
- Utilized Oracle NetSuite MRP for the entry, tracking, and maintenance of high dollar/high mix purchase orders and inventory levels, participated in continuous improvement initiatives, and contributed ideas for more effective procurement processes.
- Placed orders for electromechanical and fabricated components consistent with quality, quantity, and BOM specification requirements in support of robotics R&D/NPI, production, customer spare parts requests, and field services.
- Collaborated with engineering in weekly CCB meetings, reviewed ECOs and deviations, signed off on new part releases and BOM updates in Arena Omnify, actioned supply chain material dispositions, provided ongoing support of program and project procurement activities.
- Attended biweekly program and project meetings with contract manufacturers, vendors, and internal stakeholders to maintain on-time deliveries aligned with production deadlines, coordinated with finance and BU teams on budgeting processes and forecasts for project expenditures, and aligned shipment schedule under guidance of project manager and deployment teams in advance of project install commencement.
- Resolved receiving discrepancies, invoicing PPVs, and processed RMAs.
- Created hands-on training program for newly hired employees to acclimate each person to company policies and procedures and individual job duties.
- Mentored junior buyers, fostering professional growth and enhancing team performance.
Sr Buyer, Public Sector Group
PC Connection, Inc.
05.2019 - 11.2021
- Working knowledge of federal, state, and local government, and K-Higher education contracts (FAR/DFARS, TAA, ITAR, EAR, GWAC: Army CHESS, ITES-3H, ITES-SW2, NASA SEWP, GSA, 2GIT, US Navy ONE-Net, TIPS/TAPS, The Quilt, E-Rate).
- Prepared and issued RFPs and RFQs to vendors/suppliers, analyzed, and negotiated bid pricing with an emphasis on increasing margin while driving down COGS.
- Utilized the ERP to audit sales orders, prepared, issued, expedited, and tracked purchase orders in compliance with all contracts and company policies, utilized manual and EDI processes.
- Represented purchasing team as lead in planning meetings with internal customers, executed purchasing activity for complex multimillion-dollar defense and mission-critical solutions.
- Formatted open PO report in Excel, tracked, expedited, and logged open high dollar/high mix purchase order status, uploaded current ETAs in ERP, collaborated with Accounts Payable and vendors/suppliers to resolve purchase order and invoice discrepancies.
- Assisted Distribution Center Receiving, Inventory Control, Traffic, and Returns teams with receiving issues; investigated and resolved post-shipment issues and overstocked inventory due to supplier errors or ECOs, processed RMAs as required.
- Trained three public sector buyers on new and existing processes, wrote and maintained public sector group purchasing procedures in Team OneNote and Team SharePoint, submitted edits to management for approval, uploaded amended policies and procedures to the department SharePoint page upon receiving approval.
- Maintained working knowledge of ERP, collaborated with management to discuss report development, tested new and existing ERP procedures/functions, and presented ideas for improvement to ERP processes and daily efficiencies.
Buyer, Public Sector Group
PC Connection, Inc.
12.2013 - 05.2019
- Introduced to state and local government regulations and contracts, K-Higher education contracts, and programs under the guidance of Contracts, Professional Services, and Export Compliance teams.
- Prepared and submitted RFQs and RFPs to vendors/suppliers, analyzed, and negotiated bid pricing.
- Utilized ERP to audit sales orders, prepared, submitted, expedited, and tracked purchase orders using manual and EDI processes, with a request for purchase order confirmation and ETA.
- Purchasing lead in planning meetings with internal customers, completed purchasing activity for complex multimillion-dollar defense and mission-critical solutions, negotiated lower costs, established firm-fixed pricing, purchased and monitored First Articles, and provided urgent updates to stakeholders as needed between milestone meetings.
- Formatted open PO report in Excel for tracking, expediting, and logging open high dollar/high mix purchase order status, uploaded current ETAs in ERP, submitted billing requests with order/tracking details to Finance for monthly, quarterly, and fiscal year-end revenue recognition; assisted with internal audits; and collaborated with Accounts Payable and vendors/suppliers to resolve purchase order and invoice discrepancies.
- Assisted the Distribution Center's Receiving, Inventory Control, Traffic, and Returns teams with receiving issues, investigated and resolved post-shipment issues and overstocked inventory due to vendor/supplier shipment errors, incorrect product errors, or ECOs, collaborated with vendors/suppliers and carriers, and ensured timely and accurate resolution to meet customer requirements, and processed RMAs as required.
- Maintained a working knowledge of the ERP business system and Microsoft tools (Outlook, Word, Excel, OneNote, PowerPoint).
Associate Buyer, Systems
PC Connection, Inc.
07.2013 - 12.2013
- Supported 3 Senior Buyers and provided assistance with transacting business resulting in over $268M in net sales (HP Inc. and HP Enterprise)
- Developed understanding of supply chain strategies for HP and Lenovo
- Prepared and modified purchase orders and procured and managed HP and Lenovo inventory, expedited and tracked purchase orders daily
- Obtained return authorizations and tracked balance of HP returns budget
- Created and maintained SKUs based upon HP and Lenovo lifecycle charts
- Backfilled HP Senior Buyer roll for 1 month following Senior Buyer’s resignation
Buyer
ACS Communications
01.1991 - 01.1993
- Analyzed bids, maintained vendor contacts and files, advised manufacturing engineering of cost analysis with suggested procurement plan utilizing MRP system under supervision of Manufacturing Manager
- Procured, expedited, and tracked electronic components and PCBs for the manufacturing of wireless headsets utilizing internal order processing program; obtained return authorizations and organized all parts returns and replacements; conducted annual inventory and drafted final inventory reports
- Met daily with Management staff from Manufacturing, Engineering, Sales, Marketing, Accounting, and Purchasing to discuss production forecast and procurement schedules
- Filled in to assist with running marketing reports for VP of Marketing on an as needed basis
Buyer
Chipcom Corporation
01.1986 - 01.1991
- Approved new vendors through onsite inspections and developed vendor contacts, developed and maintained vendor files, obtained, and analyzed bids, advised engineering of cost changes and collaborated on cost analyses, suggested procurement plan in support of production schedules utilizing MRP system under supervision of Purchasing and Manufacturing Managers
- Procured, expedited, and tracked purchase orders for electronic components, printed circuit boards, sheet metal, corrugated materials, and scheduled routine services for maintenance and calibration of testing equipment
- Obtained return authorizations and organized material returns and replacements
- Organized and conducted company inventory and drafted final inventory reports for Management review
- Met daily with Management staff from Manufacturing, Engineering, Sales, Marketing, Finance, and Purchasing to discuss production forecast and procurement schedules and to address cross-team questions
Education
BS - Mathematics
Cabrillo College
Aptos, CA01.1992
BS - Mathematics
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA01.1991
Skills
- Supplier negotiation
- Procurement strategy
- Inventory management
- Cost reduction
- ERP systems utilization
- ECO review & implementation
- Purchase order processing
- Demand forecasting
- Cross-functional collaboration
Timeline
Sr Buyer/Planner
Berkshire Grey, Inc.
11.2021 - Current
Sr Buyer, Public Sector Group
PC Connection, Inc.
05.2019 - 11.2021
Buyer, Public Sector Group
PC Connection, Inc.
12.2013 - 05.2019
Associate Buyer, Systems
PC Connection, Inc.
07.2013 - 12.2013
Buyer
ACS Communications
01.1991 - 01.1993
Buyer
Chipcom Corporation
01.1986 - 01.1991
BS - Mathematics
Boston College
BS - Mathematics
Cabrillo College