Customer Service Manager
Resume:
James M. Curtis, MBA
St. Louis, MO 63116
************@*******.***
PROFILE
Highly successful and independently motivated Transportation Executive with
experience and proven results in improving transportation functions,
reducing unnecessary costs, implementing acquisition initiatives, and
enhancing client relationships. Expertise includes analyzation of freight
costs, supplier and service levels, and delivery functionalities. Known
for creative cost reducing strategies, accurate measurement of
transportation successes, and team leadership skills. Regarded for
excellent communication across entire business channel as well as
maintaining high level of business ethics to build customer loyalty.
. Expertly integrated complex acquisition Post Cereal at my current
position, increasing volume by 116% covering new distribution centers and
plants with no decrease in service levels.
. Implemented a core carrier freight bid resulting in a reduction in the
number of carriers used by 23% and reducing costs by 37%, allowing for
strengthening of relationships between the shipper and carrier and
improving customer service levels.
. Created a centralized transportation department at JM Smucker Company,
and contributed to a focused approach to transportation that resulted in
reduced costs and a higher profile for the transportation function. The
improved efficiencies allowed for greater business expansion and
acquisitions.
Account Retention ( Inventory Control ( Logistics ( Negotiations (
Outsourcing Procurement ( Customer Service ( Project Management ( P&L
Staff Management ( Team Leadership ( Team Motivation
EXPERIENCE
Hanson Transportation LLC, St. Louis, MO Dec 2009-
Current
Currently contracting with Hanson Transportation to analyze freight bid
packages submitted by potential customers. Analysis includes: lane volume
offerings vs. available capacity within the network, opportunities to
increase lane availability and customer service enhancements.
Jacobson Logistics, St. Louis, MO
June 2003-Nov 2009
One of the largest Third Party Logistics providers in the US, operating 275
distributions center and providing freight management for 20,000 shipments
each week with 400 tractor-truck line. My position was eliminated during a
10% management headcount reduction.
Director of Transportation
Directed operations for three separate distributors, Ralston Foods, Post
Foods, and Dreyer's Ice Cream. For Ralston Foods and Post Foods, managed
63,000 annual inter-company and customer shipments from 13 production and
distribution facilities encompassing truckload, LTL, intermodal and ocean
movements, with budget of $90M and 13 direct reports. For Dreyer's Ice
Cream,
Curtis
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Jacobson Logistics, continued...
managed inbound transportation program transitioning freight control of
purchased materials from the vendors to Dreyer's for six production
facilities, with an annual freight savings of $1.4M on a budget of $7M with
four direct reports.
Achievements:
. Successfully integrated the transportation operations of the Post Foods
acquisition, impacting results by increased shipments by 116% with no
decrease in on time delivery performance.
. Analyzed, created, and implemented a carrier freight bid that reduced
total carriers used by 23% while reducing cost per hundredweight by 37%.
. Accomplished annual inbound freight savings of 20% on the Dreyer's Ice
Cream account through successful carrier rate negotiation and vendor
freight analysis.
. Increased carrier on time performance from 95% to 97% through enhancing
follow up methods and providing expert carrier education to designated
employees.
Edgepark Surgical, Twinsburg, OH
September 2002-June 2003
Edgepark Surgical, along with its affiliated companies, is the nation's
largest mail order provider of medical supplies with four distribution
centers nationwide.
Transportation Manager
Successfully maintained overall focus for new centralized transportation
function while negotiating savings on the transportation of inbound
supplies versus vendor managed freight cost. Worked with sales staff to
provide resources on operational issues.
Achievements:
. Identified and seized opportunities to convert prepaid vendors to collect
freight terms reducing the overall landed cost to the company by .5% of
Cost of Goods Sold.
. Architected and obtained on time delivery standards of 98.5% for outbound
and 90% for inbound shipments while establishing additional metrics for
distribution territories to ensure optimal balance between cost and
service levels were enhanced.
Heights Logistics Consulting, Cleveland Heights, OH August 2001-
September 2002
A company that provided consulting services to transportation
organizations.
Owner
Worked directly with shipping and carrier companies to identify ways to
improve efficiencies and reduce costs. Looked for and identified areas for
improvement in customer support, reduction in deadhead mileage, and
coordination of shipments between multiple customers.
Office Max, Inc., Cleveland, OH October 2000-
August 2001
The third largest office products retailer in the US with three
distribution centers servicing 700 retail stores and online sales.
Director, Domestic Transportation
Effectively managed corporate staff of five individuals, creating daily
load plans and processing freight bills and shipments to all 50 states as
well as Puerto Rico, with an annual budget of $50M. Enhanced carrier
performance at three distribution centers servicing 700 stores nationwide.
Curtis
page 3
OfficeMax, continued...
Achievements:
. Integrated Manugistics Transportation Management software and led a task
force to improve trailer capacity utilization, reducing overall
transportation costs by 29%.
. Exceeded 98% in on time deliveries while meeting all cost and budget
constraint requirements.
The J.M. Smucker Company, Orrville, OH September
1994-October 2000
The largest manufacturer of jams, jellies, ice cream toppings and peanut
butter in the US.
Corporate Transportation Manager
Became the first corporate transportation manager in company's history and
managed the transition to a centralized transportation environment.
Controlled and directed annual transportation budget of $35M from four
distribution centers and three production sites and managed five direct
reports.
Achievements:
. Created project analysis process for an optimal network location study
that resulted in a 12% increase in next day customer deliveries while
reducing transportation costs by 3%.
. Executed project management for installation of Manugistics
Transportation automated load planning software to centralize load
planning and maximize enterprise-wide efficiencies, leading to
transportation expenses declining 7% and reducing overall headcount.
. Implemented a core carrier program with LTL, truckload, and intermodal
carriers that resulted in an 11% annual freight savings while maintaining
high levels of customer satisfaction.
Occidental Chemical Corporation, Dallas, TX 1990 - 1994
International Transportation Manager/Packaged Products
Responsible for ocean and inland freight encompassing over 12,000 container
shipments annually. Worldwide transportation and distribution budget of $40
million annually including three international distribution centers and
inland and ocean freight from fourteen domestic shipping origins.
Improved on time delivery performance to 99.9% and consistently achieved
aggressive budgets for transportation costs.
Developed planning, rate negotiations, safety and handling procedures for
efficient operation of a 250,000 square foot packaging and distribution
center.
Nabisco Brands, Inc., Dallas, TX and Winston-Salem, NC 1982 - 1990
Transportation Manager, Inventory Analyst and Transportation Analyst
Reduced customer returns by 38% over previous years by identifying and
resolving the reason for refusal prior to authorizing return of goods.
Outstanding damage claims reduced by 83% by ensuring accurate
documentation, filing and prompt follow-up on claims aging.
Achieved budgeted Inventory levels for forecasted sales on over 800 SKU's.
EDUCATION
MBA, Kent State University, Kent, OH
BS, Political Science and History, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point,
Stevens Point, WI
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