TARA M. COLE
Sr. Buyer
Tampa,FL
Summary
Purchasing | Supply Chain | Logistics
Versatile and accomplished purchasing, supply chain, and logistics professional with a quantifiable history of achievements. Consistently seeking professional development opportunities. Technologically savvy and analytically minded, always keeping the organization's interest at the forefront of decisions and negotiations. Excellent communicator and team collaborator.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
3
3
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Purchasing Agent
Abbott Laboratories
Tampa, FL
10.2022 - 03.2023
- Medical field
- Purchased and distributed BinaxNOW Covid kits while managing multiple projects through Teams meetings.
- Solved problems with initiative and sound judgment.
- Prepared and analyzed reports to track inventory.
- Computed and created purchase orders, monitor stock levels, verify purchase requisitions and expedite customer orders.
- Maintained complete documentation and records of all purchasing activities.
MRO Buyer in Window Manufacturing
New South Window
Tampa, FL
09.2021 - 07.2022
- Buyer for all maintenance, repair, and operations for 234k sq sf facility in Tampa, Florida.
- Reviewed proposals, qualified vendors, and recommended optimal suppliers.
- Determined lowest possible cost, factoring in quality, and reliability and negotiated favorable contracts.
- Collaborated with internal departments to better understand needs and determine purchasing requirements.
- Analyzed sales and inventory with onsite VMI vendor to ensure smooth manufacturing flow.
Buyer I & II
CoorsTek
Portland, OR
09.2019 - 03.2021
- Semiconductor field
- Critical role as sole buyer for west coast region and South Korea.
- Oversaw global supply purchases and services for operations that included engineering, EH&S, HR, QA, supply chain, maintenance, and facilities.
- Employed expert inventory management and oversight skills to formulate business metrics and meet corporate goals.
- Negotiated vendor contracts for cost-effective purchasing terms.
- Lead PO initiative to reduce transactional costs by 50%.
- Doubled savings, improved product quality, reduced waste, and cut lead times.
Purchasing Agent
Woman's Healthcare
Portland, OR
08.2016 - 08.2019
- Medical field
- Executed purchasing operations across 13 clinics which included medical, surgical, and office inventory.
- Adjusted sourcing strategies based on supplier performance.
- Implemented item standardization and pricing revisions.
- Oversaw new item creation, description, and SKU set up.
- Ensured regulatory compliance with all contracts.
- Saved $250K+ by reducing FTE through process automation.
- Integral role in opening birthing center, and overhaul of 13 medical clinic's inventory.
Purchasing Coordinator
CUI, Inc
Portland, OR
01.2014 - 03.2016
- Electromechanical field
- Helmed logistic activities on global scale for shipping and receiving air, motor, and sea transported goods.
- Oversaw operations of overseas warehouse.
- Interfaced with international vendors and freight forwarders regarding custom documentations and shipments.
- Developed and implemented new ERP program that resulted in 50% reduction of required purchase orders.
Ops Buyer
DTNA / Freightliner
Portland, OR
10.2012 - 09.2014
- Heavy Truck Equipment Manufacturing (multiple contracts)
- Purchased major components that included engines, after treatments, fabrications, and electrical.
- Studied and monitored market trends to identify potential suppliers.
- Hired to support six buyers, yet through self-driven implementation of improvements allowed to support 20 buyers and two Purchasing Directors.
Purchasing Agent/Supply Chain Analyst
ATS MRO
Everett, WA
08.2007 - 07.2009
- Aerospace field
- Managed $15MM material inventory and team of five.
- Audited POs requiring traceability certifications of new, used, serviceable and/or overhauled parts.
- Created and distributed metrics for direct & indirect savings.
- Ensure compliance with ITAR, FAR, DFAR.
- Managed team of five to most successful year end companywide audit - 99% accuracy in 26 sub-inventories.
- Exceeded personal annual savings goal by more than 200%.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Operations Management & Analysis
University of Arizona
Online 04.2021 - Current
Skills
MS Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams, Access, PowerPoint, SharePoint)ENVI, QAD, QuickBooks, Oracle, Discoverer, MES/Globus, IMS, Auto CAD, QT9, e-MaintenanceSage 50 Certification
Analytical and Critical Thinking
Contract Negotiation
Competitive sourcing
Decision-Making
Data analysis
Project Management
Planning and Coordination
Attention to Detail
Continuous Improvement
ERP and supply chain software
Organization and Time Management
Process improvements
Purchasing processes
Stakeholder relationships
Teamwork and Collaboration
Excellent Communication
International Purchasing
Federal Contracting
Import/export requirements knowledge
Timeline
Purchasing Agent
Abbott Laboratories
10.2022 - 03.2023
MRO Buyer in Window Manufacturing
New South Window
09.2021 - 07.2022
Bachelor of Arts - Operations Management & Analysis
University of Arizona
04.2021 - Current
Buyer I & II
CoorsTek
09.2019 - 03.2021
Purchasing Agent
Woman's Healthcare
08.2016 - 08.2019
Purchasing Coordinator
CUI, Inc
01.2014 - 03.2016
Ops Buyer
DTNA / Freightliner
10.2012 - 09.2014
Purchasing Agent/Supply Chain Analyst
ATS MRO
08.2007 - 07.2009
Volunteering
IT Administrator for Mission One Foundation
-Charitable foundation showing love of Christ by providing those in need with necessary benevolent outreach. www.missiononefoundation.com
Director of Cheerleading for Upward Cheerleading Organization at Lake Sawyer Christian Church
-As League Director my tasks included: advertising efforts, registering cheerleaders, preparing routines, evaluations/orientations, recruiting and training cheerleading coaches, organizing advertising and prayer commissioners, obtaining qualified referees, halftime commissioners and hosts. This successful season provided us 6 cheerleading squads and over 42 adorable little cheerleaders! (K - 6)
Mission Coordinator at Multnomah Presbyterian Church
-Served as a mission leader two years in a row to Ensenada, Mexico.
Binky Patrol Comforting Covers for Kids
-A Bink-A-Thon is an event where a large group gathers to make blankets to be given to a local shelter or hospital. https://binkypatrol.org/
Volunteering
IT Administrator for Mission One Foundation
-Charitable foundation showing love of Christ by providing those in need with necessary benevolent outreach. www.missiononefoundation.com
Director of Cheerleading for Upward Cheerleading Organization at Lake Sawyer Christian Church
-As League Director my tasks included: advertising efforts, registering cheerleaders, preparing routines, evaluations/orientations, recruiting and training cheerleading coaches, organizing advertising and prayer commissioners, obtaining qualified referees, halftime commissioners and hosts. This successful season provided us 6 cheerleading squads and over 42 adorable little cheerleaders! (K - 6)
Mission Coordinator at Multnomah Presbyterian Church
-Served as a mission leader two years in a row to Ensenada, Mexico.
Binky Patrol Comforting Covers for Kids
-A Bink-A-Thon is an event where a large group gathers to make blankets to be given to a local shelter or hospital. https://binkypatrol.org/