Michelle Colburn
Trinity
Summary
Results-driven procurement professional skilled in optimizing supplier relationships and driving strategic cost reductions. Expertise in managing complex purchase orders and analyzing procurement activities to support decision-making and efficiency. Committed to fostering a culture of savings while ensuring alignment with organizational objectives.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Sr. Buyer
Valv Technologies, LLC
01.2018 - Current
- Identified and evaluated potential suppliers, building and maintaining strong relationships to enhance procurement efficiency.
- Evaluating suppliers based on price, quality, and delivery speed.
- Controlled procurement budget while fostering long-term savings culture in procurement.
- Reviewing and processing requisitions and purchase orders for supplies and equipment.
- Overseeing the maintenance of records of goods ordered and received.
- Compiled and analyzed reports to track procurement activities and inform strategic decisions.
- Liaising with other departments, particularly the accounting and stock departments, to ensure inventory is maintained and budget adherence.
Sr. Buyer
National Oilwell Varco (Downhole)
01.2010 - 01.2018
- Created, tracked, and evaluated quotes to qualified suppliers to secure competitive pricing.
- Procured components based on system demand (MRP) while focusing on cost reduction.
- Managed purchase order deliveries to ensure timely fulfillment of requirements.
- Assist suppliers with questions or problems concerning the purchasing process to ensure timely delivery.
- Collaborated with quality control and suppliers to resolve issues with defective components.
- Implemented RMA policies and procedures.
Purchasing Manager
Expro Group (Power Chokes)
01.2006 - 01.2009
- Sourced and negotiated supplier agreements, collaborated with contract department for finalization, and maintained strong relationships with key vendors to ensure supply chain efficiency.
- Oversee the procurement process for materials, services and outsourced manufacturing.
- Led new purchasing initiatives including vendor managed inventory and safety stock to optimize inventory management and enhance procurement processes.
- Maintain knowledge of market conditions that affect pricing and availability of critical materials and act accordingly.
- Interact with Engineering, Quality and Production to achieve on-time delivery and meet critical purchasing specifications.
- Generated detailed reports on cost savings, spending, and inventory status to inform management decisions and drive strategic procurement initiatives.
- Managed liquidation of surplus materials and scrap to maximize recovery.
- Worked with the Quality department of returning components back to the suppliers per NCR notifications.
Lead Buyer
PowerWell Services (Power Chokes)
01.2005 - 01.2006
- Source and negotiate purchase agreements and author supplier contracts.
- Evaluate the results of MRP and act accordingly to convert planned orders to purchase orders with appropriate due dates and quantities.
- Maintain supply/demand balance of purchased materials consistent with planning parameters.
- Facilitated resolution of material shortages by leading initiatives that minimized future occurrences.
- Monitored and tracked purchase order status, ensuring timely communication with stakeholders.
- Provided technical and business leadership to buyer and expediter staff, contributing to hiring and training processes.
- Worked with Quality Assurance to assure Non-Disclosure Agreements on file and maintained.
Steel Distributor
Fox Metals & Alloys, Inc
01.2003 - 01.2005
- Managed inquiries for potential jobs and contracting customers, aligning solutions with specific business needs.
- Enter clients’ purchase orders and expedite in a timely manner.
- Review and maintain purchase orders against customer specification.
- Identified and sourced non-stock materials for purchase orders.
- Purchased mill orders and maintained inventory.
- Issued purchase orders for offsite heat treatment and ultrasonic testing of raw material for inventory.
Quality Assurance Manager
Fox Metals & Alloys, Inc
01.2000 - 01.2003
- Led annual audits for facility compliance with ISO standards.
- Implement and maintain ISO certification for entire facility.
- Initiate and verify implementation of Corrective Actions.
- Verified documentation and shipments of all QA account orders, ensuring compliance with quality standards.
- Instructed co-workers on preventative actions to reduce non-conformance related to products, processes, and the quality program.
- Negotiated settlements for nonconformance issues with customers and vendors, ensuring resolution and maintaining relationships.
- Purchased mill orders and maintained inventory.
Quality Assurance / Administration Assistant
Fox Metals & Alloys, Inc
01.1996 - 01.1999
- Ensure accuracy of all financial information reported to institutions and corporate accounting firms.
- Perform accounts payable, and maintain a current record.
- Approved and scanned Mill Test Reports into McFile for accurate record-keeping.
- Oversaw daily office operations, ensuring smooth workflow and organization.
- Managed stock processing orders to ensure timely fulfillment.
- Maintain daily booking sheets.
- Purchased mill orders and maintained inventory levels to support operational needs.
- Completed additional tasks as directed by immediate supervisor.
Education
High School Diploma -
Northbrook High School
Skills
- Supply Chain Management
- Contract Negotiation
- Vendor negotiations
- Vendor relations
- Supplier Evaluation
- Purchase order management
- Cost Analysis
- ERP systems
- MS Office
- Excel
- Word
- Access
- Outlook
References
Available upon request.
Timeline
Sr. Buyer
Valv Technologies, LLC
01.2018 - Current
Sr. Buyer
National Oilwell Varco (Downhole)
01.2010 - 01.2018
Purchasing Manager
Expro Group (Power Chokes)
01.2006 - 01.2009
Lead Buyer
PowerWell Services (Power Chokes)
01.2005 - 01.2006
Steel Distributor
Fox Metals & Alloys, Inc
01.2003 - 01.2005
Quality Assurance Manager
Fox Metals & Alloys, Inc
01.2000 - 01.2003
Quality Assurance / Administration Assistant
Fox Metals & Alloys, Inc
01.1996 - 01.1999
High School Diploma -
Northbrook High School