ERPs (CMS, SAP, Oracle)
Paula Bennert
Smiths Creek,MI
Summary
Dynamic procurement, systems, and operations leader with over 20 years of experience driving success in the automotive and industrial manufacturing sectors. Recognized subject matter expert in Source-to-Pay (S2P) and Procure-to-Pay (P2P) processes, specializing in procurement optimization and supplier management. Extensive hands-on expertise with Ivalua and ERP systems facilitates end-to-end procurement transformations that significantly enhance operational efficiency. Proven ability to collaborate across procurement, IT, manufacturing, quality, engineering, and finance teams ensures cohesive business process alignment, effectively supporting organizations in digitalization journeys and process improvements.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Solution Consultant
Pactum AI
01.2025 - Current
- Developed strategic frameworks for data analysis, improving client engagement and operational efficiency.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to address client needs, ensuring alignment with business objectives and technology solutions.
- Conducted workshops to educate clients on AI capabilities, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.
- Established key performance indicators to measure success of implemented solutions and guide future strategies, resulting 3-5 percent savings on average for direct material negotiations.
- Performed detailed research of customer business structures to accurately tailor Pactum to unique needs of each.
- Performed proof of concept demonstrations, instructing potential customers on benefits of Pactum.
Industrial Operations Procurement Manager
Accenture
01.2024 - 01.2025
- Negotiated contracts with suppliers, ensuring compliance with corporate policy and risk management standards, effectively meeting clients SLA's.
- Developed and implemented sourcing strategies to enhance cost efficiency and supply chain reliability.
- Mentored junior procurement staff, fostering professional development and knowledge sharing within the team.
- Collaborated with stakeholders to align procurement initiatives with organizational goals and objectives.
- Reduced procurement costs by implementing strategic sourcing initiatives and negotiating favorable contracts with suppliers.
Solution Consultant Manager
Ivalua
01.2019 - 12.2023
- Managed cross-functional teams, fostering collaboration and achieving successful project outcomes.
- Provided regular updates on project progress ensuring transparency between clients, stakeholders, and internal team members throughout engagements.
- Presented findings in clear, concise reports that allowed stakeholders to make informed decisions about future strategy implementation.
- Demonstrated flexibility and adaptability when faced with changing client requirements or unforeseen obstacles.
- Optimized operational workflows through continuous process improvement efforts.
ERP Implementation & Business Process Development
Self Employed
04.2018 - 12.2018
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
- Proved successful working within tight deadlines and a fast-paced environment.
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
- Passionate about learning and committed to continual improvement.
Director of System Architecture
Flex-N-Gate
01.2015 - 04.2018
- Combined and created a team of 3 systems experts (ERP: Epicor/CMS and BI: Cognos space) along with 3 software programmers. Responsible for companywide software integration and data governance
- Team successfully built and maintains the global BI space which is responsible for both plant and corporate level reports and measurable.
- Developed an in house PLM solution this manages all new program launches, engineering change's, lessons learned and full APQP gate review process.
- Built an MDM strategy for global data consistency and integrity.
- Effectively lead the entire purchasing community in a 20 week POC proof of concept for purchasing/ecommerce software which ended on time, under budget and with a unanimous vote to purchase and a signed SOW for production.
- 20 years 4 months
Director of Containerization
Flex-N-Gate
01.2011 - 01.2015
- Oversee the design, development and launch of all returnable containers globally.
- Built and managed a team of 9 packaging engineers with approximately 70 million dollars a year in new and refurbished container spend annually.
- Designed and implemented a global packaging cost tracking and gate review process.
- Team consistently achieves cost save goals of over 10% annually. Also hit cost avoidance goals of over 20% annually.
Director of MRO
Flex-N-Gate
01.2008 - 01.2015
- Responsible for all MRO buying; and supply chain management for 70 facilities globally with 8 direct reports and 30 indirect.
- Negotiated local, regional and national contracts; approximately 350 million in spend annually.
- Implemented and managed a commodity buying strategy for over 30 major commodities globally
- Created plant level procurement best practices with corporate governess.
- Designed and working to deploy new ecommerce system for RFQ, RFI, awards, contracts and catalogs where applicable.
Operations Manager
Flex-N-Gate
01.2006 - 12.2008
- Developed safety program that increased employee awareness and drastically reduced incidents.
- Increased productivity by 20% while simultaneously reducing head count by 10%.
- Supervised completion of financial paperwork and plant tracking reports. Responsible for plant P&L
- Successfully implemented automated shop floor process. Which improved the overall production runs, accuracy, and efficiencies.
- Decreased annual inventory loss by more than 10% through scanned cycle counts and automated physical inventory processes.
Materials Manager
Flex-N-Gate
01.2000 - 01.2006
- Established purchasing and materials policies and best practices around product life cycle
- Launched new facility and implemented two new product lines.
- Supervised production scheduling activities by monitoring material inventories, tracking progress of production and reviewing factors that affect schedules. Complete inventory management responsibilities.
- Develop and execute a sourcing strategy to meet the company’s business growth and sourcing requirements
- Coordinate and work with quality, engineering, machining and assembly operations to ensure 100% on-time delivery by establishing and monitoring schedules to proactively identify and address any issues.
- Responsible for accuracy of inventory counts by implementing and managing, in conjunction with Finance, an inventory control system, capable of identifying discrepancies in inventory counts and taking corrective action to guard against inconsistencies in the future
Production Scheduler
Flex-N-Gate
01.1998 - 01.2000
- Planned and established production schedules to meet customer demands.
- - 15 stamping presses, 6 welders, 5 assembly lines and 3 service groups
- Developed production schedules in accordance with sales forecast, plant and employee capacity, and new business opportunities.
- Managed operation plan for made-to-stock or made-to-order.
- Lead plant physical inventories and worked with team to resolve discrepancies
Skills
- Procurement process management
- Ivalua expertise
- Sales support consulting
- Coaching and guidance
- Proof of concept demonstration
- Business process analysis
- Stakeholder needs assessment
- Solution design
- Process improvement analysis
- Product lifecycle management
- Systems integration
- Cross-functional teamwork
- Strategic issue analysis
- Efficient multitasking
- Effective communication
Timeline
Senior Solution Consultant
Pactum AI
01.2025 - Current
Industrial Operations Procurement Manager
Accenture
01.2024 - 01.2025
Solution Consultant Manager
Ivalua
01.2019 - 12.2023
ERP Implementation & Business Process Development
Self Employed
04.2018 - 12.2018
Director of System Architecture
Flex-N-Gate
01.2015 - 04.2018
Director of Containerization
Flex-N-Gate
01.2011 - 01.2015
Director of MRO
Flex-N-Gate
01.2008 - 01.2015
Operations Manager
Flex-N-Gate
01.2006 - 12.2008
Materials Manager
Flex-N-Gate
01.2000 - 01.2006
Production Scheduler
Flex-N-Gate
01.1998 - 01.2000
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Work Preference
Work Type
Full TimeContract WorkLocation Preference
On-SiteRemoteHybridImportant To Me
Work-life balanceCompany CultureHealthcare benefitsWork from home option401k matchStock Options / Equity / Profit SharingQuote
Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.
Steve Jobs
Software
Ivalua
Pactum AI
Microsoft Products (excel, word, PPT etc)
Google Products (sheets, docs etc)
Jira
BlueWorks
Languages
English
Full Professional
Interests
"One of my primary interests and where I dedicate a significant amount of my time outside of work is serving as a board member for a local non-profit that supports victims of domestic violence In that role, I’m involved in everything from strategic planning and fundraising initiatives to ensuring we meet our community goals It’s incredibly rewarding work that allows me to develop my leadership skills, understand complex operational challenges, and give back to my community in a meaningful way"