Liliana Montes De Oca
Cincinnati,OH
Summary
Results-driven MBA and Food Chemist with over 20 years of experience in the food and retail sectors. Proven track record in exceeding performance metrics through effective sourcing strategies, operations improvement, and successful product launches. Specialized in procurement management, quality assurance, and supplier relations. Proactive and goal-oriented, with strong time management and problem-solving skills. Recognized for reliability, adaptability, and rapid learning abilities. Experienced leader adept at guiding teams, managing complex projects, and achieving strategic objectives. Committed to developing efficient processes and maintaining high standards, while fostering collaboration and excellence within teams.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
CPI Manager- Edible I
The Kroger Co.
04.2023 - Current
- Cross-trained existing employees to maximize team agility and performance.
- Maximized gross margin productivity by negotiating promotional plans with CPGs.
- Negotiated more than $20M trade invested for multiple category leaders to achieve financial objectives.
- Planned, created, tested and deployed accelerated CPI projects to execute incremental promotional investment before category resets.
- Leveraged data and analytics to make informed decisions and drive business improvements for trade investment and promotional effectiveness.
- Used industry expertise, commodity market knowledge and analytical nature to enhance and improve promotional plans and meet financial goals.
Strategic Sourcing Category Manager- Baking & Oils
THE KROGER CO.
06.2021 - 04.2023
- Design and execute Strategic sourcing projects for Kroger’s private label products to improve cost, quality, and in-stock position
- Resulting in $5M in COGS savings and $3M in cost avoidance through commodities forward buy risk management strategies in 2021 and $8.5M in savings in 2022
- Managed two desks for 6 months with a total spend of $385M and 100+ suppliers
- Identify improvement opportunities, risk/mitigation strategies and develop action plans
- Negotiate and execute highly complex contracts with suppliers
- Supplier Relationship management
- Support the company sourcing and sustainability strategies through leading relationships with suppliers, foster long-term involvement and creating value
- Develop and track commodity sourcing risk management strategies within the categories to avoid supply disruption or additional market volatility
- Develop, deepen, and maintain trusted and collaborative relationships with Our Brands, Merchandising, Quality, Finance, Manufacturing teams to align strategies, exceed goals and bring Kroger values to life
Senior Strategic Sourcing Category Management Analyst- Beverages
THE KROGER CO.
06.2019 - 06.2021
- Support the business strategies including spend analysis, benchmarking, cleansheet, DtV, Industry cost curve, RFI and RFP, Cost analysis, Market analysis among other, allowing senior staff to reduce cost 3-20% depending on the category.
- Improve working capital through payment terms extensions, lead time reductions and COGS cost reduction negotiations.
- Lead and negotiate several sourcing bids directly (beverages, pasta sauces, condiments, oils, baking, international categories)
- Improving cost, quality and promotional programs resulting in more than $2.5 M savings yearly, increase share and promotional activity through rebate programs
- Support several projects across all Food categories to capture additional $10M in COGS reduction.
Global Quality Associate Director
NOVAMEX
01.2017 - 12.2017
- Company Overview: Beverage flavor R&D house, 7 Nonalcoholic beverage bottling facilities, Mandarin oil manufacturing and US Hispanic food brand marketing and distribution (Https://novamex.com/)
- Increased sales by 3% in a flat to declining market by strategic planning for new markets and business opportunities
- Generated new, long-term business relationships with globally renowned clients, designing and presented pitches for high-level executives, leading to new sources of revenue
- Established quality and technical standards for 7 manufacturing sites and Co-packing facilities ranging from beverage concentrate manufacturing to aseptic bottling to general packaged grocery products totaling $400M USD/yr sales
- Led recruiting, selection, and training for quality control managers in 7 different manufacturing facilities, covering more than 200 products and over 100 vendors
- Assessed performance, identified gaps, developed solutions, and managed expense budget.
National Operations Manager (various Positions)
NOVAMEX
01.2003 - 12.2016
- Led a $5M refurbishment of a concentrate manufacturing facility to meet consumer demands, achieving a 15% reduction in overhead expenses.
- Directed R&D staff in developing strategic plans in collaboration with global Marketing and Sales departments and internal projects.
- Conducted external research on consumer trends and technological advances to ensure compliance and innovation in manufacturing and product development.
- Established strategic alliances with key customers, suppliers, and partners, securing growth in sales and new revenue streams through purchasing agreements and market introductions.
- Increased productivity and production capabilities by 20% through the implementation of lean manufacturing systems.
- Enhanced production, quality, and the entire value chain, supporting 10-30% sales growth.
- Designed, implemented, and managed the Jarritos franchise in Mexico and international markets, ensuring quality compliance and reliable concentrate supply.
- Oversaw production, logistics, quality control, and quality assurance operations.
- Managed six department managers and +120 associates across diverse production facilities.
- Implemented and certified two manufacturing facilities in ISO, HACCP, and Bioterrorism Law standards.
- Cultivated existing business relationships and developed strategies to increase sales and revenue.
- Operated within budgetary constraints, contributing to annual budget forecasts and reconciling the operating budget.
Education
MBA - Business And Administration
University of Texas At Austin, McCombs School of Business
Austin, TX05-2017
MBA - Business And Administration
EGADE
Mexico City05-2017
B.S. - Food Chemistry
Universidad La Salle
Skills
- Negotiation
- Vendor management
- Work prioritization
- Regulatory compliance
- Risk management
- Strategic category and project planning
- Innovation management
- Team leadership
- Cross-functional teamwork
- Stakeholder management
- Partnership development
- Operations management
Accomplishments
- Contributed to execute an exceed Sourcing department savings strategy for more than $428M. Achieved +$10M savings across several product categories and exceeded expectations by +10% on savings for selected category sourcing reviews.
- Lead more than 100 new product launches successfully. Organized and controlled processes from market analysis, formulation, forecasting sourcing, packaging, quality, labelling compliance, production and aligned client’s needs with strategy and planning.
- Planned, developed and delivered a winning pitch for a flavored alcoholic beverage with globally renowned company, resulting in incremental revenue and the business relationship to be invited for new briefed competitions.
Additional Information
Active member of the EDGE and Hispanic Kroger ARGs., Kroger Recruiting Support- Corporate Talent acquisition volunteer., Member of the Institute of Food Technologists and International Society of Beverage Technologists., Our Promise Team member.
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
CPI Manager- Edible I
The Kroger Co.
04.2023 - Current
Strategic Sourcing Category Manager- Baking & Oils
THE KROGER CO.
06.2021 - 04.2023
Senior Strategic Sourcing Category Management Analyst- Beverages
THE KROGER CO.
06.2019 - 06.2021
Global Quality Associate Director
NOVAMEX
01.2017 - 12.2017
National Operations Manager (various Positions)
NOVAMEX
01.2003 - 12.2016
B.S. - Food Chemistry
Universidad La Salle
MBA - Business And Administration
University of Texas At Austin, McCombs School of Business
MBA - Business And Administration
EGADE
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