LeighAnn Fong
Palatine,IL
Summary
Orchestrated the development and implementation of training tools, driving resource collaboration to achieve comprehensive cost optimization.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Category Manager
Network Distribution
11.2022 - Current
- Cultivate deep and effective supplier partnerships across $1.6B Towel & Tissue category to deliver accelerated revenue growth, increase share within target market segments, and enhance profitability.
- Successfully achieved a 40% success rate in securing additional program investments and growth incentives through negotiations by leveraging performance metrics and strategic relationships.
- Serve as a primary liaison to secure industry wide connectivity and foster relationships that enhance Network’s market position and status with key suppliers.
- Architect and define requirements to develop automated workflow tools that manage process steps and task ownership across business partners.
- Synchronize supplier capabilities with corporate sales strategies by co-developing strategic category plans that optimize product mix and expertise while delivering results on annual growth targets.
Manager, Procurement Enablement
W.W. Grainger
09.2019 - 11.2022
- Orchestrate planning, development, and implementation strategies to ensure portfolio optimization is executed consistently across the business.
- Project manage and collaborate with stakeholders to develop and document an enterprise-wide Procurement Review process.
- Lead work management initiatives and produce supportive mechanisms that deliver consistency in the execution of standard work across more than 60 Supplier Managers and Analysts.
- Govern operational calendar for U.S. and Canadian Supplier Managers outlining critical dates, training topics, negotiation approaches, and progress tracking.
- Identify and communicate additional tools and training needs for annual cost negotiation preparations.
- Trained over thirty new team members how to utilize commodity data in cost proposal analysis.
Product Information Process Lead
W.W. Grainger
05.2018 - 08.2019
- Developed product information strategies to boost a “best in class” customer experience through business-critical activities.
- Institute process improvements to enhance customer experience, team productivity, and data quality, while coordinating with downstream business partners and systems.
- Built communications toolkits to implement project plans, process documentation, training materials, and change management.
- Managed day-to-day operations, onboarding, data maintenance, and special projects across twelve analysts.
Senior Content Merchandiser
W.W. Grainger
03.2015 - 05.2018
- Provided content leadership and strategic direction for product information across multi-channel B2B environment including taxonomy optimization, online search enhancements, catalog page layouts, product line expansions, company acquisitions and other promotional activities.
- Diagnosed category level product information needs of customers and stakeholders including but not limited to, E-Commerce, Catalog Merchandising, Product Management, Customer Service, Technical Support, Brand, Sales, and Global Business Units.
- Project lead Search and Select, accountable for managing cross-functional team and resource allocation across three-person sub-team within Hierarchy & Merchandising Operations.
- Produced measurement plans, including database tracking, monitoring, and reporting on critical metrics within Hierarchy & Merchandising Operations team.
Product Manager
W.W. Grainger
03.2011 - 03.2015
- Improved the product portfolio by utilizing analytical tools and specific process applications, such as line reviews, cross-referencing data, and market indices while ensuring Voice of Customer is addressed.
- Delivered top-line category sales growth of 8-12% year over year while improving gross profit margin and maximizing product profitability across $130 million, 35K SKU product portfolio.
- Reduced up front product costs and carrying costs of $800K while reducing inventory footprint across Raw Materials product line.
- Achieved annual cost savings of $120K (12%) within Industrial Paint Markers product family.
- Managed supplier relationships between Product Management, Supply Chain, Customers, and other Grainger departments while maintaining on time delivery rate of 98%.
Education
Master of Science - Marketing Communication
Illinois Institute of Technology
Chicago, ILBachelor of Arts - Speech Communication, Public Relations
Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, ILSkills
Training Content & Delivery
Category Management
Negotiations
Procurement
Relationship Management
Stakeholder Management
Operational Performance
Process Improvements
ACTIVITIES
CI/PM Community of Practice Core Team and Networking Group Lead 9/2019 – 11/2022 Facilitate networking sessions to connect team members with CI/PM functions/interests and gain insights to broaden their toolkits and resources. Events Manager Generational Business Resource Group (GBRG) 1/2019 – 11/2022 Oversee #GraingerTalks and six-person events team from planning through post event follow-up. CI/PM Community of Practice Core Team and Networking Group Lead 9/2019 – 11/2022 Facilitate networking sessions to connect team members with CI/PM functions/interests and gain insights to broaden their toolkits and resources. Events Manager Generational Business Resource Group (GBRG) 1/2019 – 11/2022 Oversee #GraingerTalks and six-person events team from planning through post event follow-up.
Timeline
Senior Category Manager
Network Distribution
11.2022 - Current
Manager, Procurement Enablement
W.W. Grainger
09.2019 - 11.2022
Product Information Process Lead
W.W. Grainger
05.2018 - 08.2019
Senior Content Merchandiser
W.W. Grainger
03.2015 - 05.2018
Product Manager
W.W. Grainger
03.2011 - 03.2015
Master of Science - Marketing Communication
Illinois Institute of Technology
Bachelor of Arts - Speech Communication, Public Relations
Eastern Illinois University