Vint Ferguson
Nashville,USA
Summary
I have nearly 17 years in Purchasing/Supply Chain, with 13 of those years being in a Managerial or Senior role designation. Accomplished during this time are multiple promotions and awards, plus 3 years spent in consulting to manufacturers across the southeast. I complement my Purchasing with time on "the other side of the desk" with around 16 years in Consultative Sales, with numerous awards, records, and contests won. Blending these two backgrounds in SRM - Supplier Relationship Management - is one KPI in which I excel. I am looking for a great company where my skillset benefits and positively impacts the company. I make things happen and get things done (in the right way) for the betterment of my company, my coworkers, those I manage, and my customers - while treating all I encounter as a cherished customer.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Manager Indirect Purchasing Americas
Permobil
Lebanon, TN
01.2023 - 01.2025
- Worked with various internal customers (departments) in determining suppliers/negotiating pricing/SOW/future pricing/support contracts for new software and/or services for the project/implementation/1-3 years following.
- Look at all contracts from a legal standpoint (review, redline, etc.) before getting Legal Department's involvement.
- Look at software/hardware from an I.T. type perspective prior to I.T.'s actual involvement.
- Consolidated multiple software packages into one streamlined offering, with $75k+ savings on head-to-head software.
- Negotiated extra savings of $53k on initial purchase vs what was on the table before my involvement.
- Negotiated price caps for future purchases that were far better than offering before I became involved.
- VP of Marketing wrote a flowery email praising my work to the Company President.
- I became involved late in the process on purchasing new A/R software.
- I was able to get supplier to utilize old pricing (2-3 year old quotes) on many aspects of the solution (providing significant price discounts).
- Overall savings in excess of $70k.
- Worked with HR on new staffing companies as approved suppliers - permanent and temporary.
- Looking for an approved secondary supplier in this category for North America, to back up our current world-wide supplier.
Supply Chain Manager
IT Voice
Birmingham, AL
01.2022 - 01.2023
- Oversaw and trained a diverse staff (data, voice, warehouse) of 7 at multiple locations across the US.
- Responsible for consolidation of vendors and spend, and training personnel on proper purchasing methods - including how to think 'globally', Kanban, and Kaizen practices.
- Promoted cross-functional communications and breaking down pre-existing internal silos.
- Streamlining and standardizing the purchasing processes for the company.
- Helped company achieve Dell Gold Certification for 2023 (deeper discounts and added marketing dollars).
- Developed a positive PPV report on SharePoint drive for visibility and use of all in department.
Allied Purchasing Manager
Royal Cup Coffee
Birmingham, AL
01.2021 - 01.2022
- Purchasing Manager over the Allied Goods Category, which included snack foods, drinks other than coffee and tea, competitors' coffee products, new tea products, cups, paper products, utensils, juices, and more - around $60M annual spend.
- Unveiled and helped rectify internal company faux pas that could have lost RCC's single largest customer due to a contract that was nearly severed with one of its primary suppliers.
- Orchestrated project to private label a significant commodity offering yielding higher gross profits, customer loyalty, market uniqueness, reduced credit issues, and increased product availability.
- Enhanced communications and payable/receivables with two major suppliers, resulting in more business support for Royal Cup sales team and tactical purchasing members with those suppliers.
- Negotiated two half-year agreements for 2022 for juices, blended to one cost for the year (used with major hotel chains).
- Introduced several opportunities to go directly with manufacturers, a new distributor that could have removed many heartaches from the supply chain issues being experienced.
- Worked with Production Planning primarily on expediting of materials that were in worldwide shortages.
Catering Assistant
Catering
Birmingham, AL
01.2021 - 01.2022
- This was a catering business for weddings and rehearsal dinners. I assisted with purchasing, prep, cooking, serving, clean-up, etc.
Various Duties
Family Help
Northeast, MS
01.2017 - 01.2022
- My parents (around 80) have been in poor health for several years and required assistance. I have been the closest of their kids in proximity to them and have provided assistance in many ways for around 6 years.
Procurement Manager
Garrison Steel
Pell City, AL
01.2020 - 01.2021
- Worked in conjunction with controller on all credit cards and fuel cards, setting limits, and helping to prepare reporting for A/P.
- Member of the fleet management oversight team to minimize repair costs, ensure timely maintenance, maximize trade-in values, and minimize purchase price of new vehicles and accessories.
- Involvement with programs like Fastenal, Hilti, nexAir, Martin Supply, and others to help with equipment programs and services at jobsites and in-house to reduce costs and management time.
- Purchasing steel (beams, channel, angle, tubing, plate, etc.) by working with and through various service centers, mill-direct (Steel Dynamics - SDI), and brokers - to minimize cost, inventory, and lead times.
- Brought more structure (being proactive and planning - a manufacturing mindset) to a (primarily) reactionary fabrication organization.
- Worked with Production Planning primarily on JIT arrival of inventory, and in some cases - on early arrival of inventory.
Senior Buyer (Raw Materials)
Yokohama Tire Manufacturing Mississippi
West Point, MS
01.2019 - 01.2020
- Purchasing/Sourcing of Raw Materials for the Mississippi plant - between $72-$80M annual spend.
- Work with Global and Domestic Suppliers in China, Japan, Singapore, Mexico, U.S., and more for supply, sourcing, and cost reductions.
- Favorably implemented new Tactical Program for dealing with Steel Cord (previous problem area).
- Coordinated Strategic Purchasing raw material bid for the Salem, VA plant in addition to the West Point, MS facility leading to cost savings of around 10%.
- Additional Strategic Purchasing savings on very mature products/services, such as bead-wire, logistics, synthetic rubber, etc. all ranging from 7%-20%.
- 2nd sourcing initiatives for risk mitigation on materials tied to only one approved supplier or material.
- Conducted MCD (Material Cost Down) Video Conferences with Purchasing and Technical Teams in Japan.
Sales / Consulting
Start-up Venture
Starkville, MS
01.2012 - 01.2019
- Collaborated via consulting/sales on a national/local fundraising/advertising platform utilizing mobile technology.
- Concept was to help charitable organizations generate ongoing monthly revenue stream by engaging supporters while helping family-friendly advertisers reach larger audiences than loyalty programs.
Sales
Independent Insurance Sales Agent
Columbus, MS
01.2009 - 01.2011
- Sold multiple lines of insurance and benefits products.
Manager of Supplier Development / Regional Account Manager
Prime Advantage
Chicago, IL
01.2006 - 01.2009
- Company Overview: Group Purchasing Organization (GPO) where I consulted with C-level, engineering, and purchasing personnel of 80+ manufacturers throughout the Southeast.
- Represented many indirect Endorsed Suppliers, including Grainger, Motion Industries, Fastenal, Airgas, ULINE, Endries International, Gulf Packaging, Samuel Strapping, Kaman Industrial, Staples, Logistics Management Inc (LMI), etc. to Members (manufacturers).
- Coordinated and Emceed Purchasing Networking Breakfast Presentations at Conferences twice a year.
- Group Purchasing Organization (GPO) where I consulted with C-level, engineering, and purchasing personnel of 80+ manufacturers throughout the Southeast.
Director of Procurement / Supply Chain Manager
Marathon Equipment Company (a Dover Corporation Company)
Vernon, AL
01.2003 - 01.2005
- Administered a spend of over $42M, 4 plants in 3 states, 5 direct reports and 2 indirect reports.
- Managed/negotiated spend categories in Fasteners, MRO, Paint, Welding Gases and Consumables, and shipping materials.
- Led the writing of Marathon's Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) Purchasing compliance procedures.
Procurement Specialist
Holcim (US) Inc.
Artesia, MS
01.2001 - 01.2003
- Rewarded as 'Number One Procurement Specialist in North America' in 2002 by the North American Purchasing Organization (NAPO).
- Functioned as procurement specialist for the MS plant, 8 Holcim terminals, and Birmingham, AL.
Materials Manager / Hydraulics Buyer
Marathon Equipment Company (a Dover Corporation Company)
Vernon, AL
01.1998 - 01.2001
- Quickly promoted to Materials Manager due to expertise in Tactical and Strategic purchasing.
- Negotiated in excess of 20% savings on fasteners/hardware package with a new supplier that also included VMI and a rebate.
- Spearheaded an effort with Engineering to get multiple products/suppliers approved.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration, Computer Information Systems
Mississippi University for Women
Columbus, MSBachelor of Arts - Mathematics
Mississippi University for Women
Columbus, MSBachelor of Science - Mathematics
Mississippi University for Women
Columbus, MSSkills
- Strategic & Tactical Procurement
- Direct & Indirect Purchasing
- Supplier Relationship Management
Affiliations
- Institute of Supply Management (ISM, Local Chapter)
- President and Board Member - 2006 to 2009
- President, 1st and 2nd Vice-President - 2003 to 2005
- Mississippi University for Women Foundation and Mississippi University for Women Alumni Association, Board Member - 2007 to 2010
Awards
- United Who's Who 2005
- Number One Procurement Specialist from North American Purchasing Organization (NAPO) 2002
- Superman Award 2001
- Rookie of the Year Award 2000
- Supplier of the Year 1990
Timeline
Manager Indirect Purchasing Americas
Permobil
01.2023 - 01.2025
Supply Chain Manager
IT Voice
01.2022 - 01.2023
Allied Purchasing Manager
Royal Cup Coffee
01.2021 - 01.2022
Catering Assistant
Catering
01.2021 - 01.2022
Procurement Manager
Garrison Steel
01.2020 - 01.2021
Senior Buyer (Raw Materials)
Yokohama Tire Manufacturing Mississippi
01.2019 - 01.2020
Various Duties
Family Help
01.2017 - 01.2022
Sales / Consulting
Start-up Venture
01.2012 - 01.2019
Sales
Independent Insurance Sales Agent
01.2009 - 01.2011
Manager of Supplier Development / Regional Account Manager
Prime Advantage
01.2006 - 01.2009
Director of Procurement / Supply Chain Manager
Marathon Equipment Company (a Dover Corporation Company)
01.2003 - 01.2005
Procurement Specialist
Holcim (US) Inc.
01.2001 - 01.2003
Materials Manager / Hydraulics Buyer
Marathon Equipment Company (a Dover Corporation Company)
01.1998 - 01.2001
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration, Computer Information Systems
Mississippi University for Women
Bachelor of Arts - Mathematics
Mississippi University for Women
Bachelor of Science - Mathematics
Mississippi University for Women
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