Melissa Gaffaney
Summary
Enthusiastic and innovative purchasing professional with 20+ years of experience in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment. Passionate and driven, brings a sense of humor and positive attitude to work. Focuses on generating and maintaining lasting business relationships, excelling both independently and in team environments. Consistently achieves and surpasses company goals, establishing an impeccable track record.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Buyer
FreshPoint Central California
09.2022 - Current
- Collaborate with buyers and sales to plan seasonal promotions to drive sales.
- Analyze daily inventory levels to meet and exceed the goal of 99% fill rate .
- Enhanced supplier performance through regular evaluations and performance improvement plans.
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of industry trends, providing valuable insights to inform purchasing decisions.
- Implemented risk mitigation strategies to minimize potential disruptions in the supply chain.
- Play an instrumental role in major project launches by managing all aspects of procurement from planning to execution.
- Negotiate favorable contracts with suppliers, securing optimal terms and pricing structures.
- Evaluate supplier proposals objectively, selecting partners based on total value rather than just price alone.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify opportunities for cost reduction and process improvement.
- Evaluate product quality and vendor performance to maintain quality standards and meet or exceed the goal of zero shrink.
- Monitor and analyze sales records, trends, and market conditions to anticipate customer buying patterns.
- Coordinate with logistics teams both internally and externally to resolve any shipping delays or discrepancies while minimizing impact on customers and operations.
- Coordinate with quality control teams to address and rectify any product issues, maintaining high standards of quality.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
West Coast Commodity Buyer
Freshpoint Carolinas
01.2021 - 01.2022
- Put in place and executed the purchasing processes of West Coast commodities for both Freshpoint Raleigh and Freshpoint Charlotte simultaneously
- Handled supply planning, forecasting, inventory, new product and customer launches
- Responsible for the building of twelve weekly full truck loads of more than one hundred different inventory items including berries, wet veg, value added, citrus and grapes
- Navigated through transition from the Salinas growing region to Yuma and Florida while also supporting local Carolina vendors
- Maintained shrink at well below company standards without sacrificing quality
Senior Buyer
Freshpoint Central California
01.2018 - 01.2021
- Executed all aspects of purchasing processes of over 700 Retail and food service, organic and conventional perishable products
- Exceptional at maintaining ideal inventory levels, 99% fill rate, by actively reviewing stock against sales ratios
- Organized program management on highly visible new product launches
- Minimized spoilage exceeding company expectations with successful purchasing strategies and proper stock management
- Coordinated and executed procurement plans, including creating purchase orders, confirming costs, and maintaining databases
- Negotiated fair market contracts with vendors to achieve desired price points
- Supported management to help build a team environment focused on achieving company goals and objectives
- Provided assistance with the accounting department to resolve billing discrepancies
- Fully versed in coordinating trucking both in house and hired to move product in and out of the facility
Purchasing Manager
Freshpoint Central California
01.2005 - 01.2018
- Developed, supported and nurtured a thriving team of 5 associates
- Implemented policies with expert understanding of market conditions and business objectives to increase productivity
- Spearheaded streamlining of procedures, cross training personnel and procurement process
- Nurtured individual and team development taking a proactive approach
- Surpassed company goals year over year for margin, fill rate, and shrink
- Maintained department compliance with metrics and clear expectations
- Strengthened our purchasing team with regular and thorough reviews to identify areas of improvement
Skills
- Exceptional negotiation
- Communication
- Vendor relationship management
- Fundamental leadership skills
- Detail oriented
- Organization
- Accuracy
- Flexible
- Adaptable
- Change implementation
- Multitasking
- Time management
- Purchasing system knowledge (AS-400)
- Industry Expertise
- Change driving
- Persistence
- Self motivation
- Follow through
- Commitment
- Critical thinking
- Problem solving
- Solution management
Websites
Timeline
Senior Buyer
FreshPoint Central California
09.2022 - Current
West Coast Commodity Buyer
Freshpoint Carolinas
01.2021 - 01.2022
Senior Buyer
Freshpoint Central California
01.2018 - 01.2021
Purchasing Manager
Freshpoint Central California
01.2005 - 01.2018