Lindsey Blumears

• Gift and religious distributor, wholesaler and retailer. Annual sales USD80 million, 160 employees.
• Oversaw demand planning, purchasing, inbound logistics, compliance, quality assurance and testing for 20,000+ SKUs and 400 vendors.
• Built scalable supply chain operations teams to work with growing business. 14 M&As.
• Oversaw international purchasing process and linked demand planning to customer fulfillment needs.
• Hired, developed and led team of 12 direct reports.
• Defined or refined KPIs signaling success across performance and cost-efficiency dimensions and drove improvements in target metrics, 90% fill rate, 60% gross margin, 22% landed cost.
• Responsible for compliance to multiple government regulations, Prop 65, FDA, PFAS, CPSIA, CBP etc.
• Set AQL - Quality standards.
• Implemented a Customs Compliance manual.
• Developed and maintained strong cross-functional relationships within overall organization.
• Improved, standardized and documented processes.
• Organized and maintained correct inventory levels to drive highest turns possible on inventory.
• Teamed with sales and marketing to confirm that product availability meets customer demand.
• Devised and maintained up-to-date database of supplier and vendor performance metrics.
• Increased global supply chain efficiency and development by leading cross-functional teams and enabling supplier integration and management technology tools, upgrades.
• Built exceptional rapport with suppliers and transportation companies to create seamless operations.
• Responsible for increasing gross margin on Clearance Sales from 10% to 23% and designed an implement an SOP for this area of the business.

Software Modules Enhancement:

• Designed new software modules within the legacy ERP system to enhance department effectiveness.
• Modules included features for Container Management, Foreign Payment Processing, Supply Planning, and Purchase Order (PO) approvals.

Vendor Relations and Travel:

• Traveled extensively in Asia to source new vendors and maintain existing relationships.

Purchasing Policies and Compliance:

• Created purchasing policies and procedures aligned with company standards and regulatory requirements.
  Implemented Incoterms (International Commercial Terms) on POs and HTS (Harmonized Tariff Schedule) codes at the SKU level.

Operational Improvements:

• Developed a Job Shadowing policy company-wide.
  Utilized Advantage ERP for purchase order authorization and monitoring.
  Oversaw inventory stocking and availability, maintaining a 90% service level.
  Conducted weekly reconciliation of open purchase orders.
  Established a system to evaluate vendor performance.

Supplier Management:

• Collaborated with IT to design ERP functionality for automated vendor follow-up.
  Set AQL (Acceptable Quality Level) standards and compliance.
  Generated reports and analysis using Advantage and SQL for senior management review.

Team Development:

• Hired and trained purchasing staff to enhance operational effectiveness.
  Tracked supplier performance metrics and identified cost-saving opportunities.

Vendor Relationships:

• Cultivated strong relationships with vendors to improve customer service levels.
  Resolved vendor disputes and discrepancies promptly.

Process Optimization:

• Devised strategies to optimize purchasing processes and reduce costs.
  Regularly communicated with suppliers to uphold quality standards and timely deliveries.

Data-Driven Insights:

• Generated reports on purchasing activities to inform management decisions.
  Analyzed purchasing data to identify areas for improvement and cost savings .
  

• A national food distribution company. Annual sales USD390 million, 990 employees, 25 distribution centers.
• Performed extensive vendor and supplier research to identify cost-effective options and product availability.
• Negotiated pricing and terms with vendors to secure best value for company.
• Achieved fill rates of 99%.
• Dispensed purchase orders to suppliers with accurate pricing, deadlines and terms and conditions.

• Leading UK distributor of kitchen components. Over 6,000 SKU's with an emphasis on design, quality and innovation. Annual Sales USD120, 150 employees.
• Traveled extensively through Europe to build, maintain and develop meaningful supplier relationships.
• Led the implementation of the new ERP system, OMNIUS and worked on the continuing development.
• Member of the consensus planning team. Active in the development and continuous improvement of the software.
• Managed Junior Buyers by training and overseeing purchasing decisions.
• Determined lowest possible cost, factoring in quality and reliability, and negotiated favorable contracts.
• Dispensed purchase orders to suppliers with accurate pricing, deadlines and terms and conditions.

• Largest animal feed manufacturer in Zimbabwe with annual sales of USD80 million and 900+ employees.
• Managed the department, procured raw materials and oversaw inventory stocking and availability.