Laura Swindle
Mantachie,USA
Summary
To become part of a team oriented environment where working together helps to make a more successful company.
Detail-oriented professional promoting expertise in supply chain planning. Confident Procurement Specialist knowledgeable in managing vendor relations, tracking products, and the methods needed to obtain the best pricing.
Overview
39
39
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Procurement Specialist
Goodyear Tire & Rubber
06.2021 - Current
- Ensured compliance with company policies and industry regulations during the procurement process to minimize risks.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop project-specific procurement plans, aligning strategies with overall business objectives.
- Coordinated closely with finance teams to monitor budgets and cash flow implications related to procurement activities.
- Maintained ongoing communication with suppliers to promote workflow and respond to inquiries.
- Negotiated contracts and agreements with suppliers to achieve best pricing and terms.
- Oversaw inventory control, accounting, and supply reports.
- Performed complex data analysis to identify cost-saving opportunities and forecast future demands.
- Improved supplier relationships through regular communication and collaboration, enhancing overall service quality.
- Established relationships with vendors and suppliers to streamline procurement operations.
- Implemented cost-saving initiatives within the procurement department that significantly reduced overhead expenses.
- Tracked purchase orders and followed up with vendors and carriers to support timely deliveries.
- Managed a diverse portfolio of suppliers, ensuring timely delivery of goods and services at competitive prices.
- Facilitated transparent bidding processes for supplier selection, ensuring fairness and adherence to established guidelines.
- Mentored junior procurement team members, sharing expertise and fostering a culture of continuous learning and development.
- Accepted and processed supply requests from staff, and placed orders per procedures.
- Collaborated with internal departments to identify and manage demand for material and services.
- Worked with departments to find new and better items to fulfill diverse needs.
- Made valuable contributions to planning of promotions, pricing and inventory levels, enhancing inventory flow, revenue, and profits.
Buyer Procurement
Cooper Tire & Rubber Co.
07.2004 - Current
- Procurement of all storeroom parts; annual spend of $12 million.
- Manage $9.5 million inventory to achieve/exceed financial plans, service level and inventory turns.
- Gathering and analyzing data to develop targeted priority projects.
- Maintain Supplier & Stakeholder Relationship Management, ensuring all opportunities to reduce cost and improve service are identified and implemented.
- Create and deliver a category plan that will result in improved quality as well as reduced costs.
- Work in collaboration with other region’s buying managers.
- Involved with Engineering personnel in bid/order placement.
- Daily interaction with Maintenance/Production on procurement purchases.
- Control and tracking of Outside Contractor Compliance.
- Office supply compliance and assistance.
- Perform the responsibilities of the Senior Supervisor in his absence.
- Lead storeroom personnel in daily activities/perform duties
- On call and available to the plants needs 24/7.
Purchasing Secretary
Cooper Tire & Rubber Co.
01.1999 - 07.2004
- Maintain all purchase order entry and related material.
- Inventory price changes, updates, and quotes.
- Raw Material scheduling and tracking.
- Implemented new office supply system.
- Organize, update, and change annual blanket orders.
- Direct outside contractor compliance, insurance, and regulations.
- Perform the responsibilities of the Purchasing Manager and MRO Buyer in their absence.
Jr. Buyer
Mueller Copper Tube Co.
01.1990 - 01.1999
- Procurement of all MRO and related items.
- Monitor all material requirements and specifications in accordance with Engineering and Maintenance.
- Organize and manage all repairs.
- Regulate and mange new suppliers.
- In charge of annual and semi-annual quotes.
- Price negotiation and comparison.
- Perform the responsibilities of the Senior Buyer in her absence.
Purchasing Clerk
Mueller Copper Tube Co.
01.1987 - 01.1990
- Procurement of all MRO and related items.
- In charge of all purchase order entry and related material.
- Manage office supply inventory.
- Regulate and manage new suppliers.
- Secretarial duties for the Purchasing Department and for the Director of Purchasing.
- Perform to the responsibilities of the Senior Buyer in her absence.
Receptionist/Switchboard Operator
Mueller Copper Tube Co.
01.1987 - 06.1987
- Answer and direct all phone calls and messages.
- Greet and guide all visitors.
- Local accounts payable
- Clerical duties for the Mississippian Railway.
- Monitor Mueller’s truck driver’s daily logs and violations in accordance to current laws.
- Typing, filing, and general clerical.
Education
A.A. - Business Administration
AIU University
Hoffman Estates, IL01.2005
Diploma - undefined
Alief Elsik High School
Houston, TX05.1985
Skills
- Effective oral and written communication
- Critical thinking abilities
- Effective team facilitation
- Proactive engagement with requesters
- Effective multi-tasking
- Dependable and constructive mindset
- Navigating complex environments
- Professional integrity in the workplace
- Effective negotiation techniques
- Skilled in purchasing documentation management
- Supply chain planning
- Supplier relationship management
- Effective communication
- Purchase order creation
- Strategic sourcing
- Bid process management
- Policy implementation
- Purchasing processes
- New vendor setup
Certification
SAP, Metastorm, Winshuttle, Risk Rate, Maps, ETQ, Powerpoint, Microsoft Excel Comprehensive, Microsoft Excel Advanced, Microsoft Office, Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, Strategic Sourcing, Lean Manufacturing
Timeline
Procurement Specialist
Goodyear Tire & Rubber
06.2021 - Current
Buyer Procurement
Cooper Tire & Rubber Co.
07.2004 - Current
Purchasing Secretary
Cooper Tire & Rubber Co.
01.1999 - 07.2004
Jr. Buyer
Mueller Copper Tube Co.
01.1990 - 01.1999
Purchasing Clerk
Mueller Copper Tube Co.
01.1987 - 01.1990
Receptionist/Switchboard Operator
Mueller Copper Tube Co.
01.1987 - 06.1987
Diploma - undefined
Alief Elsik High School
A.A. - Business Administration
AIU University