Management Supply Chain
Resume:
KAORI “KARI” SCHERER, C.P.M.
**** **** *** **. ******, IL 60503 / 119 Stargate Dr. Madison, AL 35758
630-***-**** *****.*******@*******.***
SUMMARY
+Enthusiastic supply chain professional with experience in the areas of procurement, contract administration,
vendor supplier management, program management and strategic planning.
+Experienced, results-oriented leader with exceptional abilities in building/developing internal teams and vendor
relationships. Significant experience with team collaboration settings.
+Increasing management responsibility in corporate and global environments.
+Possess highly defined business sense and interpersonal skills.
+Proven experience in managing multiple projects and programs to meet organizational goals and objectives.
+A passionate and high energy leader, who deals effectively with all cross-functional and multi-cultural interfaces
both internally and externally.
+Expertise is broad in scope and includes the following skills:
■ Direct and Indirect Purchasing ■ Supply Chain Management
■ Global and Strategic Sourcing ■ Contract Administration & Management
■ Strategic Planning ■ Supplier Diversity
■ Business Management and Administration ■ Program and Project Management
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Purchasing / Supply Chain Management / Global Sourcing:
Direct and manage direct and indirect purchasing operations and staff.
• Managed over $80 millions of direct purchasing, sourcing and supplies of forward and non-forward lightings,
mirrors, product graphics, wiper systems, engine and cab mounts, and anti-vibration components (engineered
rubber/metal), electrical components, and tooling for commercial (OEM and Aftermarket), joint venture, and defense
programs.
• Possess working knowledge and experiences with CPSR, ITAR, and FAR for defense and military projects.
• Managed over $40 millions of indirect purchasing, sourcing, and supplies of assets, services, utilities, information
technology, and MRO.
• Developed and implemented purchasing strategies to leverage corporate expenditures; improved procurement
process and reduced costs.
• Performed opportunity analysis to identify projects that will deliver significant cost savings and value improvement.
• Ensured timely and efficient flow of materials and services to support the manufacturing locations by leading the
team efforts in Purchasing/Sourcing, Planning/Scheduling, Warehousing, Logistics, Manufacturing Logistics,
Transportation and other areas as necessary.
• Located, analyzed, and developed a consolidated supplier base to meet current and future commodity needs.
• Managed suppliers and supplier development activities in North America, Mexico, Brazil, Europe, Africa, and Asia.
• Significantly ramped up corporate profitability by driving global sourcing for anti-vibration commodities from India
that resulted in > $1 mil annual saving.
• Managed relationship with internal customers and maintain efficient internal communications to adequately define
product/service requirements, statements of work, quality provisions, etc. to ensure the cost effective and appropriate
procurement of equipment, materials, and services.
• Drove continuous improvement in all aspects of the procurement and supply chain process; Create and maintain
mutually beneficial long-term partnerships with key suppliers to foster feedback and continuous improvement.
• Prepared and maintained purchasing reports for presentation to senior executives.
• Directed supplier performance reviews for continuous improvement.
• Developed and maintained key performance indicators for the Purchasing section in line with company and
department goals and objectives for cost management. Monitor and implement sufficient internal controls to ensure
properly time phased procurement of products and services to achieve JIT.
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Implemented new and standardized purchasing system and processes.
•
Trained executives and managers to understand the role and responsibilities of purchasing departments and the
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procurement process.
Trained staff on policies and procedures; Developed end-user understanding of purchasing procedures through
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formal training and direct interaction.
Contract Negotiation and Administration:
Responsible for contract administration and management through the entire life cycle: scope of work, bid & award,
supplier evaluation, annual price negotiation and NDAs.
• Negotiated long-term agreements and programs with key vendors.
• Negotiated procurement agreements with suppliers to obtain maximum cost savings including YOY reductions,
product/service quality, and delivery capabilities.
• Developed contract provisions, terms and conditions in accordance with legal guidelines.
• Consulted with senior legal counsel, as necessary, to resolve issues with contract language and/or to address breach
of contract and performance issues by suppliers.
Strategic Planning:
1. Led the corporate wide Hoshin (Strategic Business Planning) and executive business report development.
2. Created bilingual English/Japanese presentation materials and reports for the semi-annual board meetings.
Supplier Diversity:
3. Named Corporate Buyer of the Year 2008 by South Region Minority Business Council, local Affiliate of the
National Minority Supplier Development Council representing the State of Alabama and the Gulf Coast of Florida
and Mississippi.
4. Recognized as an advocate for Minority Business Enterprises in the Southeastern United Stated by the Alabama
Minority Business Opportunity Center which is a program of the U.S. Department of Commerce - Minority
Business Development Agency.
5. Nominated and Serves as the Advisory Committee of Alabama Minority Business Opportunity Center.
6. Support diversity spending initiatives; consistently exceeding goals set by the internal minority/women's vendor
program and recognized as one of the top performers among Toyota’s 13 manufacturing plants in North America.
Business Management and Administration
Manage and support comprehensive corporate functions and tasks.
7. Developed and managed various corporate start-up operations, programs, services and contracts; Recognized by
executive management as a key member of the corporate support team at Toyota.
8. Managed and supervised over 50 contract staff and subcontractors.
9. Responsible for the planning and execution of Corporate VIP and State Dignitary visits. Responsible for the
planning and execution of major corporate events and activities such as award ceremonies and team meetings.
10. Developed, implemented and maintained a staff responsibilities matrix to effectively allocate/balance resources
and duties.
11. Crated and managed purchasing budgets.
12. Responsible for Ethics and Compliance Risk Management and issues in the Purchasing function. Ensure
adherence to established processes for ongoing compliance with internal policies and procedures and external
requirements.
Program and Project Management:
Manage contractual facility and business service programs and projects.
13. Managed and supervised contracted service vendors and subcontractors: facility maintenance, food services,
uniform program, security services, janitorial services, and corporate travel.
14. Developed and maintained scope of work, policies, and guidelines for each program.
15. Managed costs, P&L and schedule of the programs and projects to meet operating goals and budgets.
16. Project management for Security details and event planning of government and executive dignitaries.
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17. Responsible for planning, designing, and creating the best use of space for future developments and building
expansions
PROFFESIONAL EXPERIENCE
Navistar, Inc. / International Truck and Engine, Warrenville IL 2008 – Present
Position: Procurement / Supply Sourcing Manager
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama, Inc., Huntsville AL 2001 – 2008
Positions:
Purchasing / Contract Specialist (Supervisor)
Interim Business Planning Specialist
Interim General (Business & Facility) Affairs Specialist
General Affairs / Contract Specialist (Supervisor)
General Affairs / Executive Associate
Berlitz Inc., St. Louis, MO 1998 – 1999
Position: Consultant (for Hallmark, Anheuser-Busch, Delta Airline etc.)
Sesmark Foods, Inc. (Mitsubishi Group), Rockford, IL 1998
Position: Marketing Assistant / Human Resource Administrator / Executive Assistant
AWARDS/RECOGNITIONS
Corporate Buyer of the Year 2008
South Region Minority Business Council, Affiliate of National Minority Supplier Development Council representing the
State of Alabama and the Gulf Coast of Florida and Mississippi
PROFFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT
C.P.M. (Certified Purchasing Manager)
Toyota Fundamental Training (TOYOTA WAY/TPS)
Hoshin Kanri (Strategic Planning and Management)
Project Management
PeopleSoft Financials
PROFFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
ISM - Institute of Supply Management, Present
NCMA - National Contract Management Association, Present
MBOC - Minority Business Opportunity Center – Alabama – U.S. Department of Commerce, Advisory Committee
SRMBC South Region Minority Business Council – Local Affiliate of the National Minority Supplier Development Council,
Program Committee Chair 2008
EDUCATION
Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, Carbondale, IL 1997
Major: B.S. Marketing Major: B.S. Business and Administration
LANGUAGE
Kaori Scherer Resume 4/4
English Japanese
TECHNOLOGY/COMPUTER SKILLS
Proficiency in PeopleSoft FIN, ERP/MRP, MS Office; Excel, PowerPoint, Project, Access, Project, and Visio
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