TARA LEWIS
Spirit AeroSystems
Wichita,KS
15
years of professional experience
Global SCM Integrated Product Team leader with 2+ years driving supply chain and product integration at Spirit Aerosystems through analytics and critical problem-solving. Improve operational efficiency by aligning inventory with production requirements. Certified SME in LEADNA; skilled in Microsoft Office, SAP, AuditBoard, and Smartsheet.
Work History
INTEGRATED PRODUCT TEAM (IPT) LEADER
2 Years- Ran IPT change control and RIO boards to effectively address risks, issues, and opportunities in integration.
- Supported identification, development, and validation of IPT-assigned life cycle requirements, including requirements, configuration data, cost, and contracts.
- Built planning inputs for program integrated master schedule.
- Worked with departments to support project completion and strengthen coordination.
- Defined build-to and buy-to packages and supported affordability goals for assigned programs.
- Coordinated with SCM to streamline supplier selection, integration, and oversight of SOW.
- Led weekly team meetings to review progress, address issues, and plan next steps.
- Reviewed and managed major and minor product and process changes along with customer requests.
- Negotiated with vendors and suppliers to secure favorable terms and pricing.
GLOBAL SCM INVENTORY BUSINESS PROCESS ANALYST
10 Months- Supported analysis of current supply chain operations to identify cost-saving opportunities; identified $4.8m opportunity in non-net warehouse and reduced it by $1.4m.
- Managed inventory levels to align stock with production demand while limiting holding costs.
- Collaborated with internal teams on supply chain optimization projects to enhance operational effectiveness.
- Assisted with rollout of new supply chain systems (Leandna) and process improvements to boost efficiency.
- Built integrated Power BI reports to deliver inventory insights for execution management.
- Developed governance framework to track strategic initiatives, including non-net and safety stock.
- Supported team development and training initiatives for Leandna, strengthening supply chain capability and performance.
BUSINESS MANAGEMENT - SCM
1 Year- Identified cost savings and efficiency opportunities across departments, supported NOPA process, and contributed to $2.4M return to Spirit.
- Proposed specific workflow improvements to enhance efficiency in team processes. and contributed to building Smartsheet database for governance of spot buy and cost items, streamlining tracking processes.
- Collaborated in creating a new Spot Buy and Cost Item database to improve governance. a new Spot Buy and Cost Item database in Smartsheet for Governance on those items.
- Provided executive support through accurate KPI reporting, scorecard upkeep, and business insight for leadership decisions.
- Prepared presentation materials summarizing progress toward objectives set by senior leadership.
- Managed weekly meeting cadence, prepared leaders for sessions, gathered needed data, and delivered content on time with consistent formatting.
- Facilitated leadership meetings, documenting action items to ensure follow-through on discussions.
- Tracked critical actions and strategic priorities, cascading tasks from leadership and sharing weekly status updates to enhance accountability.
- Used Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Tableau, and Power BI to build materials supporting decision-making.
SENIOR INTERNAL AUDITOR
2 Years- Developed risk and control matrices and audit programs to define audit scope.
- Reviewed information structures and procedures, implementing corrective actions to improve compliance and efficiency.
- Participated in Audit Council to align functional audit teams across company.
- Supported independent, objective work on customer-focused, risk-based projects, enhancing customer value.
- Built Power BI dashboards to share metrics with leadership.
- Managed project timelines and coordinated team activities. and lead auditor on audits.
- Mentored Emporia State University intern, guiding project tasks and fostering skills development.
- Assisted intern with project tasks and provided guidance. and full-time hiring efforts at Meet the Firm events.
- Helped guide and develop new staff members.
SENIOR INTERNAL AUDITOR
2 Years 3 Months- Supported internal financial and operations audits by developing risk assessments and conducting interviews and process walkthroughs to verify alignment with documented processes.
- Identified control gaps in processes and systems through detailed research, recommending targeted process improvements to enhance compliance.
- Investigated audit discrepancies and followed up on variances found during review.
- Prepared comprehensive audit and risk reports from findings, delivering critical updates to senior management.
- Developed vendor risk assessment and contract dashboards in Power BI to improve customer visibility.
- Built vendor risk assessment, procure-to-pay frameworks, and audit programs.
- Performed contract compliance reviews.
- Assessed company policies for compliance to assess alignment with best practices.
- Completed independent, objective projects centered on customer needs and risk-based priorities to deliver strong value for customers.
- Guided team members in project execution and ensured timely completion of assigned tasks.
- Applied audit and project knowledge across Koch companies.
- Managed operations controls capability on SharePoint, including vendor controls, procurement, and projects.
INTERNAL AUDITOR
1 Year- Reviewed financial controls for compliance with Internal Financial Control Standards (IFC) and corporate regulations, ensuring adherence to required guidelines.
- Planned annual audits and assessed existing internal controls across departments and international offices to identify improvement areas.
- Developed auditing programs to address risks and evaluate regulatory requirements.
- Reviewed and identified risks, analyzed controls and tested compliance.
- Compiled audit findings and risk assessments into reports for distribution to relevant personnel, facilitating informed decision-making.
- Identified $3M of recoverables and opportunities for cost savings during a contract compliance review.
- Performed strategic planning, execution, and finalization of audits.
PRODUCT MANAGER
6 Months- Partnered with senior product managers to develop product pricing strategies.
- Designed and executed pricing structures to align firm objectives with customer needs, optimizing revenue potential.
- Used market trend data to refine pricing strategies.
- Assessed supplier capabilities and monitored performance metrics to ensure alignment with product goals.
- Established and maintained strong relationships with suppliers to enhance collaboration.
- Worked with internal and external customers to provide timely responses to requests.
- Managed 13 suppliers, including two $8M suppliers.
- Oversaw support for over 80,000 part numbers in inventory management.
- Trained sales team on product lines.
- Prepared vendor requests for quotations.
- Monitored bid due dates and tracked other bid requirements.
- Defined and analyzed metrics to measure product performance.
COMMODITY MANAGER
2 Years 2 Months- Coordinated planning and purchasing of assigned commodities to align with procurement strategies.
- Evaluated ad hoc and contract opportunities, delivering pricing support for RFQs to enhance decision-making.
- Supported long-term pricing negotiations for contract process.
- Collected quotes for competitive bids and issued purchase orders in support of business plans and procurement standards.
- Managed pricing books and records in SharePoint to ensure accuracy and accessibility for procurement processes.
- Prepared purchase orders, agreements, bids, and contracts; processed purchase paperwork, including PO revisions.
- Supported primary supplier relationship by managing cost quotes for ad hoc sales and contract sales.
- Built and maintained strong working relationships with assigned suppliers.
- Evaluated and confirmed part master requests for accuracy.
ASSISTANT BUYER / HOUSEWARES LEAD
1 Year- Analyzed consumer buying patterns and forecasted future trends to inform purchasing decisions.
- Compiled reports and sales forecasts to drive strategic planning.
- Prepared and issued purchase orders to vendors.
- Managed inventory of over 1,500 stock keeping units (SKUs) to maintain optimal stock levels.
- Updated offers in Assist for B2C, B2B, and all retail locations.
- Helped reduce operating supply spending through price comparisons across all Dean & Deluca markets, resulting in $25k annual savings.
PRICING ANALYST / VENDOR MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR
2 Years 1 Month- Developed and analyzed retail price lists monthly to optimize pricing strategy and support marketing efforts.
- Adjusted retail pricing to align with set margins.
- Monitored margin changes and communicated updated pricing to retail stores.
- Handled retail catalog supplier participation fees, resulting in collection of over $154k toward marketing fee expenses.
- Monitored purchase order delivery and provided vendor status updates to ensure timely fulfillment.
- Resolved supplier issues, including missing invoices and related follow-up.
- Negotiated and enforced vendor terms and conditions.
- Cultivated strong relationships with suppliers to enhance collaboration and streamline procurement processes.
Education
B.S. - Economics, Business Administration
- LeanDNA SME Certification
- PMP Certification (Study In-Progress) - Completion 2027
Skills
Process Improvement|Risk Management|Analytics - Power BI/Tableau and Alteryx|Contract/Sourcing Management|Detail-Oriented and Highly Organized|Strong Research and Analytic Skills|Cost Reduction|Supply Chain Management|Supplier Relationship Management|Strategic Planning
Change control management
Inventory governance
Integrated master schedule
Activities and Honors
Program Government Clearance, Sigma Kappa Sorority, Alpha Kappa Psi Business Fraternity, Institute of Internal Auditors, Garner (Internal Audit)
Affiliations
- Donate Blood (O-)
- Coach Youth Soccer Team
- Volunteer and Donate to the Church of Resurrection
Timeline
INTEGRATED PRODUCT TEAM (IPT) LEADER
Spirit AeroSystems
07.2024 - 07.2026Read More
GLOBAL SCM INVENTORY BUSINESS PROCESS ANALYST
Spirit AeroSystems
09.2023 - 07.2024Read More
BUSINESS MANAGEMENT - SCM
Spirit AeroSystems
09.2022 - 09.2023Read More
SENIOR INTERNAL AUDITOR
Spirit AeroSystems
09.2020 - 09.2022Read More
SENIOR INTERNAL AUDITOR
Koch Industries, Inc.
03.2018 - 06.2020Read More
INTERNAL AUDITOR
Koch Industries, Inc.
03.2017 - 03.2018Read More
PRODUCT MANAGER
Wesco Aircraft
09.2016 - 03.2017Read More
COMMODITY MANAGER
Wesco Aircraft
07.2014 - 09.2016Read More
ASSISTANT BUYER / HOUSEWARES LEAD
Dean & Deluca
06.2013 - 06.2014Read More
PRICING ANALYST / VENDOR MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR
Dean & Deluca
05.2011 - 06.2013Read More
The University of Kansas
B.S. from Economics, Business Administration
Read More