Thomas Hicks
Yorktown,IN
Summary
Strategic Purchasing Executive with extensive experience in contract negotiation and vendor management, driving cost reductions and enhancing procurement processes. Known for leading cross-functional teams, implementing best practices, and aligning procurement activities with organizational objectives to achieve significant savings and operational improvements.
Overview
1
1
Certification
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Director Purchasing - Indirect
Progress Rail Services Corporation
Muncie, Indiana
05.2011 - Current
- Negotiated contracts to secure favorable procurement terms and conditions.
- Identified cost-saving opportunities through strategic sourcing and procurement optimization.
- Led strategic sourcing initiatives for SaaS and services across multiple divisions.
- Collaborated with senior leadership to establish long-term company objectives.
- Developed relationships with key partners and external vendors to enhance collaboration.
- Trained purchasing staff on best practices and effective negotiation techniques.
- Created reports on procurement activities and budget compliance for senior management.
- Fostered a culture of continuous improvement through feedback and mentoring sessions.
- Collaborated with key stakeholders to identify and resolve operational challenges.
- Recruited, trained, supervised, evaluated and mentored staff members.
- Developed policies and procedures to ensure compliance with corporate standards.
- Utilize data analytics tools for Key Performance Indicators analyze performance and spend data.
Buyer
Autocar Truck, Inc.
Hagerstown, IN
09.2010 - 05.2011
- Negotiated contracts with suppliers to secure favorable pricing and terms.
- Participated in negotiations with vendors concerning prices, delivery schedules, warranties and other contractual issues.
- Developed relationships with vendors to enhance product quality and delivery.
- Evaluated supplier performance through regular assessments and feedback sessions.
- Assisted in forecasting demand based on production schedules and market needs.
Purchasing Manager
Indiana Marujun, LLC.
Winchester, IN
03.2010 - 09.2010
- Negotiated contracts to secure favorable pricing and terms.
- Implemented cost-saving initiatives through strategic sourcing and vendor evaluations.
- Analyzed market trends to inform purchasing strategies and decisions.
- Managed supplier relationships to ensure timely delivery of materials.
- Maintained accurate records of purchases, contracts, and supplier performance reviews.
Purchasing Manager
Muncie Power Products, Inc.
12.1996 - 05.2009
- Negotiated contracts to secure favorable pricing and terms.
- Implemented cost-saving initiatives through strategic sourcing and vendor evaluations.
- Managed supplier relationships to ensure timely delivery of materials.
- Coordinated with production teams to align inventory levels with demand forecasts.
- Reviewed purchase orders and ensured accuracy of information, such as pricing, payment terms and delivery dates.
Education
Some College (No Degree) - Business Administration
Ball State University
Muncie, INSkills
- Strategic sourcing
- Procurement Strategy
- Contract negotiation
- Vendor management
- Contract management
- Cost reduction
- Budget compliance
- Data analytics/analysis
- Financial management
- Change management
- Stakeholder collaboration
- Team leadership
- Staff management
- Employee development
- Effective communication
- Problem-solving
- Risk/Compliance
- Contract management
Accomplishments
- $1.1M MRO Savings: Spearheaded cost-reduction initiatives totaling $1,100,000 on MRO goods by introducing vending-consigned inventory programs, E-Commerce platforms, and KANBAN pull systems at Progress Rail.
- ERP System Upgrades: Served as a key implementation team member for major enterprise software upgrades across SAP, LN 10.7, and Coupa platforms.
- Invoice Optimization: Successfully streamlined financial processing, reducing parked and past-due invoices by $600,000 across 2015 and 2016.
Certification
- Certified Purchasing & Inventory Management (CPIM)
- Caterpillar, Inc. Six Sigma Yellow Belt
Timeline
Director Purchasing - Indirect
Progress Rail Services Corporation
05.2011 - Current
Buyer
Autocar Truck, Inc.
09.2010 - 05.2011
Purchasing Manager
Indiana Marujun, LLC.
03.2010 - 09.2010
Purchasing Manager
Muncie Power Products, Inc.
12.1996 - 05.2009
Some College (No Degree) - Business Administration
Ball State University