Cheri Sparks

***** ******* ****: 313-***-****

Huron Township, MI 48174 ac0hbf@r.postjobfree.com

Objective: To obtain a challenging position in a growing organization that supports growth and world class service to clients.

Summary of Qualifications

Over 20 years of experience in supply chain management with a primary focus in transportation in the automotive industry.

Possess strong analytical and conceptual thinking skills through using logic and reason as well as creativity and experience.

Process oriented, enthusiastic, excellent interpersonal communication skills both internal and external.

Experienced in customer and supplier relations with strong communication, liason and negotiating skills.

Skilled at planning and execution of project management including operational analysis, and design for new and current business development in time critical environments.

Develop and implement client service strategies that drive client retention and revenue growth.

Consistently provide a trusting and empowered environment that enhances employee productivity and performance.

Actively experienced in procurement, negotiation and contracting of domestic and international transportation.

Ability to identify critical internal or client issues, identify potential risks and establish a resolution.

Developed internal and external metrics to measure operational performance as well as identify client specific needs.

Professional Experience

Yazaki North America, Canton, Mi 2013-Present

Transportation Manager

Manage daily logistics movement of finished goods from manufacturing plants in Mexico, Central America, Asia and Europe to US and Canada distribution centers. Annual YNCA transportation spend over $150million.

Support daily logistics movement of raw material from suppliers and affiliates globally to all plants in Mexico and Central America.

Actively identify and implement cost savings initiatives annually of $9+million.

Recruit, interview, hire and train according to business needs for three shifts both here and in Mexico including non-traditional shifts with Saturday and Sunday schedules. Conduct one on one’s, annual goal and development planning meetings as well as annual performance appraisals.

Develop carrier / service / forwarder contracts and update language in existing contracts to support Yazaki interests.

Negotiate and contract annual BCO ocean service contracts, air, truck and other service rates/contracts.

Completed RASIC to identify duplication and desegregation of Transportation and Freight bill and audit responsibilities throughout YNCA and presented Executive Summary to EVP for recommendation to updates in internal organizational structure.

Responsible for freight bill, audit and payment activity through both third party and internal Yazaki accounts payable department.

Successfully negotiated Transportation Management System (TMS) contract with third party Saas provider, presented business case to EVP and obtained approval with CEO for project go forward.

Project Lead for Transportation Management System (TMS) Implementation for YNCA.

Active participant in Global Logistics workshop to identify opportunities for premium freight reduction.

Identify supply chain risks and actively establish contingency plans to support continuous movement of finished goods and raw materials to support manufacturing production plans and timely customer delivery.

Created and performed Global Purchasing training including Incoterms 2010, supplier documentation requirements, customs, C-TPAT requirements and various Yazaki related processes.

Lear Corporation, Southfield, Mi 2011-2013

Senior Logistics Analyst

Actively identify and implement cost savings in the Global Logistics Network annually $4.6million.

Manage and execute Global logistics / Supply Chain initiatives and activities that include mode and route optimizations.

Created and performed Global Purchasing training including Incoterms 2010, supplier documentation requirements, C-TPAT requirements and various Lear related processes.

Developed Global Carrier Claims process for carrier lost and damaged product.

Implemented standard routing instructions for domestic and international networks.

Actively involved in OEM program implementations to ensure that production timing is met.

Logistics process review completed on site at Navegantes Brazil plant.

Actively manage direct 3PL, ocean carrier and forwarder contracts / services to ensure that all requirements are met for the Domestic and International network.

Established transit time matrix for all Domestic and International routes.

SOP’s for all International lanes implemented with ocean carriers and freight forwarders.

Participate actively in cross functional Global Process Improvement strategies.

Develop contingency plans for critical situations and ensure zero down time for Lear production lines.

UTi, United States, Romulus, MI 2008-2011

Manager, Global Client Services 2010-2011

Monitor, coordinate and support the on-boarding, service delivery and day to day operations for specified Global clients.

Complete regularly scheduled reports providing service metrics, root cause analysis and corrective action plans.

Investigate and resolve internal operational issues impacting client service, coordinating with the client and internal teams as appropriate.

Develop, maintain and leverage relationships and networks within the client organization to identify and develop business opportunities.

Create client specific operating procedures in accordance with business solution, scope of work and service level indicators provided by sales team.

Ocean Export Manager 2008-2010

Established branch quotation process to ensure consistency to the clients as well as a way to record and highlight opportunities

Fully involved in the successful implementation of new program operations.

Strategic planning with all levels to ensure a high level of service to the client.

Management of daily functional work for ocean export shipments, including consolidations, direct supplier container loading and documentation of automotive production parts.

Manage third party loading operations and customer contracted ocean carriers.

Recruit, interview, hire and train according to business needs. Perform quarterly and annual performance appraisals.

Established client cost savings objectives with annual realized savings of over $4million in inventory carrying costs.

Improved daily processes to drive operational productivity and efficiencies.

Consistently maintain 100% on time AES filing..

Developed weekly, monthly and quarterly client dashboards to show the performance of the customer supply chain from supplier door to plant. Includes supplier ship frequency accuracy, loading facility timing, tracking targeted vs. actual transit metrics, visual cube utilization, and TEU’s per carrier.

Colorbok, Inc, Dexter, MI 2005-2008

Senior Purchasing Agent 2006-2008

Actively involved in sourcing of products for the new toy line as well as communicating and scheduling with new suppliers to ensure successful launch timing for the program.

Manage the negotiation of freight costs. .

Initiated and implemented internal cost savings for packaging supplies and materials through single source supplier.

Regulate and manage the daily flow of purchase orders, over $20million annually, for all purchasing agents to our domestic and international vendors to meet the demand of our Retail customers.

Partnered with the Product Management group to ensure the timely execution of programs while ensuring an above standard of cost and quality.

Managed the development and updates of the vendor guide, vendor training materials and vendor agreements in correlation with activities of Sourcing Manager.

Direct involvement of year over year inventory cost reductions from +$9million in 2005 down to $4.5million in 2007 while still maintaining 98% order fill rate.

Inventory/Demand Analyst and Purchasing Agent 2005-2006

Weekly demand planning for Major Retail customers through point of sale, need forecasts and on hand inventory.

Issue purchase orders to domestic and international vendors.

Managed load requirements with the vendors based on their weight/cube as well as determining air shipment requirements.

Manage the China quality team to ensure all product critical hold issues are resolved timely and accurately.

Issued corrective actions to vendors to resolve short and long term production and quality issues as well as chargeback resolution.

Improved documentation flow between vendors and our broker by requesting freight forwarder to issue express bills of lading for all open account transactions.

Expeditors International, Romulus, MI 2001-2005

Inbound Transportation Manager

Routine involvement in joint sales calls with District Sales Executives, Sales Management as well as Corporate Product Management to bring a potential prospect to an actual client. Types of clients ranged from automotive Tier 1 and Tier2 suppliers, furniture manufacturers, general department store merchandise, garment distributors and multiple other commodity specific clients.

Active participant in developing and implementing business strategy for targeted accounts to meet the revenue goals of the branch.

Direct involvement of significant sales growth with an annual department growth from $584K in 2001 to +$1.8million in 2004.

Actively involved in the design, development and testing of the global quotation tool.

Active involvement in transportation purchasing for air and ocean rates.

Direct carrier negotiations for bullet rates for specific client/commodity shipments

Management of daily functional import operations for airfreight and ocean freight.

Expense to revenue management $2 revenue for every $1 expense- 2:1.

Selected as active member for Global Airfreight quality team. Direct involvement in complete re-development of all air processes globally to improve efficiencies and productivity.

Coughlin Logistics, Romulus, MI 1990-2001

Operations Manager 1996-2001

Daily functional management of import materials management, airfreight and ocean freight for major automotive company. Manage client contracted ocean carriers. Develop and maintain monthly internal and external operational metrics.

Successful launch of multiple new vehicle programs

Responsible for monthly gross revenue +$20million

Department Manager 1995-1996

Established new business department related to focus on Tier 1 and Tier 2 automotive suppliers. Responsible to business development, transportation purchasing, ocean export/import, air export/import.

Nominated to participate in Management Training program that entailed cross functional training over all departments and functions of the Coughlin organization.

Completed two week assignment in Europe where an analysis and recommendation was made to improve operational efficiencies.

Export Manager 1993-1995

Responsible for daily functional management of release and follow-up analysts, ocean export

International transportation coordinator 1992-1992

Responsible for scheduling, booking, tracking/tracing and documentation for all export ocean shipments for major chemical company.

Sample Coordinator and Domestic transportation coordinator 1990-1991

Responsible for dispatching domestic carriers to cover loads from distribution warehouse to major customer for a major chemical company.

Responsible for filling sample orders for major chemical company.

Education

Bachelor of Science: Business Administration- Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, MI- 2009

Real Estate License – Remerica Bright Realty - 2012

Currently studying for CSCP exam – expected test date Fall 2017

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