Steven Hickman
Lima,OH
Summary
Dynamic professional specializing in supply chain management and data analysis. Proven track record of implementing process improvement strategies that enhance operational efficiency and reduce costs. Expertise in aligning stakeholder interests throughout project lifecycles.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Systems Operations Manager
DHL
Columbus, OH
09.2024 - Current
- Developed comprehensive project plans aligning with organizational goals and timelines.
- Managed stakeholder communications to ensure alignment and address concerns throughout project lifecycle.
- Established robust testing frameworks, including SIT, UAT, E2E, and performance testing.
- Created complex SQL queries to extract insights supporting decision-making processes.
- Negotiated vendor contracts while adhering to budgetary constraints, establishing strong relationships.
- Executed system upgrades that reduced maintenance costs and improved overall functionality.
- Streamlined operations through efficient workflows and standardized processes across multiple locations.
- Implemented security protocols to safeguard sensitive data and minimize breach risks.
Operations Supply Chain Manager
Big Lots
Columbus, OH
05.2022 - 09.2024
- Managed simultaneous implementations with minimal supervision, demonstrating strong organizational skills and adaptability.
- Oversaw intricate project implementations aimed at upgrading goods-to-person sortation conveyance technologies, specifically, Controls, PLC, ASRS, AGV, and palletizers.
- Presented project updates to senior leadership, highlighting successes and addressing challenges with proposed solutions, ensuring ongoing support for the implementation team''s efforts.
- Led a diverse team of professionals in successfully completing complex implementations on time and within budget constraints.
- Implemented continuous improvement initiatives that resulted in increased efficiency across various stages of the implementation process.
- Established effective communication channels between internal teams and external clients to facilitate smooth project execution.
- Oversaw implementation lifecycle processes based on organizational needs, regulatory requirements, and customer demand.
- Troubleshot technical issues during implementations, working closely with IT teams to resolve problems quickly and minimize downtime for clients involved in specific scenarios encountered.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure successful project outcomes, fostering strong relationships within the organization.
- Researched and resolved barriers to successful system functionality, improving support, and issue resolution.
- Streamlined implementation processes by identifying inefficiencies and implementing best practices, resulting in reduced project timelines.
- Created detailed project plans outlining scope, timeline, resources, and deliverables, ensuring all stakeholders were aligned with expectations.
Distribution Manager
Microcenter
Columbus, OH
08.2018 - 05.2022
- Senior leader in the Microcenter North American supply chain
- 24/7 ownership of all retail distribution operations and associated business results
- Manage all Distribution Center operations and be accountable for achieving all balanced scorecard metrics (safety, quality, service, cost, cash, people)
- Foster a culture of engagement and bias for action at all levels of the organization
- Build diverse relationships across markets and functions and actively participate, promote, and live all DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) company initiatives
- Develop annual strategy deployment plans and key performance indicator (KPI) targets linked to Microcenter 3-5-year business objectives
- Drive cross-functional strategic initiatives to continuously improve customer service and compliance to customer expectations
- Hire, train, and manage Distribution Center management team and associates
- Manage development of standard documentation and training / qualification to appropriate skill matrices
- Manage all external-facing documentation and messaging including periodic distribution of operational metrics
- Manage collection, reporting and feedback regarding inventory transactions using SAP, Excel queries and WMS reporting
- Assist in development and manage annual budget for direct labor and overhead
- Maintain full working knowledge of the Distribution Center systems / platforms; Provide guidance and support to the operations and IT staff as needed
- Develop strong working relationships with key stakeholders across the Microcenter supply chain network and other functional areas.
District Manager
Polo Ralph Lauren
Cincinnati, Ohio
03.2014 - 08.2018
- Supported the Regional Manager in overseeing and facilitating the success of the Midwest district
- Achieved financial sales plans by identifying, retaining, and developing talent
- Measured success by analyzing total team success
- Promoted an environment that fostered respect for the ideas of others and supported ongoing collaboration to execute the brand business strategy
- Maintained a thorough understanding of operational functions, business processes, and overall results of the General Manager Leadership team
- Maintained brand standards
- Trained and developed senior store staff, including strategic succession planning and performance management
- Consistently and proactively involved in high-level product and brand strategy associated with launching new ventures, focusing on how profitability, product positioning, and forecasted growth could sustain the brand identity
- Achieved sales plans by meeting and exceeding last year numbers and NIBIT in all stores throughout the district
- Controlled the district's payroll costs, store incentives, and bonus goals
- Maintained a comprehensive understanding of market knowledge, challenges, and opportunities
- Incorporated the vision of wholesale, full-price, and new venture business initiatives by thinking creatively to effectively leverage product.
Distribution Manager
Dinflex Hydraulics
Findlay, OH
09.2003 - 03.2014
- Coordinated activities of warehouse operations between divisional warehouse, transportation, and sales departments
- Worked with warehouse supervisory teams on staffing, employee development, and operational efficiency within the distribution center
- Served as a resource and servant leader
- Created an environment that stimulated achievement, created opportunities, and set an expectation for teamwork and success
- Interviewed, hired, trained, and retained management staff
- Conducted performance monitoring of staff, initiated follow through with corrective action and termination
- Worked with warehouse leadership to identify and develop future warehouse leaders
- Adhered to the mission and cornerstone values and applicable practices of the organization
- Maintained comprehensive knowledge of competitive products and their activity in the marketplace and provided reports on a regular and/or monthly basis
- Kept current with internal and external training and development
- Assisted the divisions in planning strategy to products and service required for our assigned accounts
- Responsible for the global accountability and overall performance of Distribution Center (DC) initiatives, including complete and accurate customer order shipment, accurate transport and delivery of Dinflex products; quality and inventory standards and shrink; system and other audits; and the general maintenance and management of the DC
- Maintained branch route growth plan knowledge and its effect on the DC systems and personnel requirements
- Collaborated with the local DC transportation leadership on route placement plans to maximize warehouse efficiencies and transit/delivery departure requirements
- Worked with department leadership and their staff to develop creative plans for DC systems and procedures that improved customer service, safety, efficiency, accuracy, product care, sanitation, and employee morale
- Ensured training requirements and tracking were complete for all warehouse employees
- Maintained relevant and updated knowledge and technical aptitude on current operations systems in order to utilize this knowledge to make educated, data-driven decisions in everyday and emergent operational crisis.
Education
High School Diploma -
Findlay High School
Findlay, OH06-2003
Bachelor of Science - Business Management Supply Chain
University of Dayton
Dayton, OH06-2026
Skills
- Project management and data analysis
- Supply chain optimization
- Stakeholder communication
- Team collaboration and leadership
- Risk assessment and mitigation
- Technical documentation and systems implementation
- Process improvement strategies
- Vendor negotiation and management
- Service level agreements oversight
- Warehouse operations and logistics management
- Expense reporting and inventory management
- Onboarding and orientation processes
- Sales expertise and production knowledge
- Cross-functional collaboration and communication
- Productivity improvement initiatives
Timeline
Systems Operations Manager
DHL
09.2024 - Current
Operations Supply Chain Manager
Big Lots
05.2022 - 09.2024
Distribution Manager
Microcenter
08.2018 - 05.2022
District Manager
Polo Ralph Lauren
03.2014 - 08.2018
Distribution Manager
Dinflex Hydraulics
09.2003 - 03.2014
High School Diploma -
Findlay High School
Bachelor of Science - Business Management Supply Chain
University of Dayton