GREGORY D. SPARKS

DIRECTOR GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAIN LOGISTICS INVENTORY

CELL 630-***-**** • E-MAIL ac0kqp@r.postjobfree.com

LINKEDIN www.linkedin.com/in/greg-sparks

DRIVEN DIRECTOR with 17 years of successful global supply chain operations experience delivering leading edge supply and logistics strategies in fast-paced retail environments to decrease costs, increase revenue and strengthen operations. Astute program and project management leadership and a strong fiscal steward, able to develop agile teams to attain aggressive goals. Able to identify procurement logistic needs to increase delivery efficiency and sustainable solutions. Strong finance background and expertise, able to foster team collaboration and implement effective training expertise, communicating clear expectations to drive performance and exceed goals on consistent basis.

EXPERTISE

Transportation Management

Budget Management

Global Supply Management

Root Cause Analysis

Strategic Sourcing

Process Improvement

Team Development

Product Distribution

Project Leadership

MRP/ERP Management

Demand Planning and Forecasting

Lean Operations Strategy and Management

Import and Domestic Product Allocation

Business and Logistics Analytics

Advanced MS Office Suite

HISTORY

DIRECTOR, INVENTORY MANAGEMENT

Sears Holdings, Hoffman Estates, IL (Jan 2013-Present)

Direct continuous improvements for strategies related to merchandising supply and logistics for Home Division, managing team responsible for up to $800M in annual sales, $375M in annual receipts and inventory valued at $150M. Utilize global and regional expertise, deep market and industry knowledge to support merchandising initiatives and innovation, assortment strategies, and promotions to attain corporate objectives. Responsible for forecasting, compliance, inventory control and reporting on outcomes, while driving department KPI’s and individual performance.

Delivered 22% inventory reduction through continuous improvements in profitable inventory investments, centered on inventory turns and key in-stock metrics, while building efficient global supply chain process and reducing low-performing inventory

Implemented total division global supply chain tool, improving processes to address demand planning, forecasting, order management and communication with overseas partners

Implemented roll out of 2 major systems in Home, JDA and Assortment planning

Increased sell through 8% on seasonal buys by upgrading global SKU inventory distribution model

Increased assortment IMU by 3% and reduced product landed cost by $6M for Home Division, through combination of FPASS, Assortment planning and SKU rationalization

INVENTORY MANAGER

Sears Holdings, Hoffman Estates, IL (Aug 2009-Jan 2013)

Managed analyzation and validation of department objectives and targets for division with $300M in sales, $200M in annual receipts, maintaining an average inventory of $80M.

Developed supply cost model (FPASS) providing greater transparency to assortment planning initiatives, saving company $2M in supply chain costs in first year

Built seasonal inventory sell down tracker to create enhanced visibility and summary to in-season selling and end-of-season markdown management for Home Division

Led continuous process improvement of profitable inventory investments and efficient supply chain flow by increasing inventory turnover 4 out of 6 years

Created Clearance markdown tracker, streamlining reduction of CMD average 5%/year

Trained and promoted 6 of 8 entry level Analysts to Manager

Designed and executed inventory flow strategies for import and domestic products

SENIOR INVENTORY ANALYST

Sears Holdings, Hoffman Estates, IL (May 2008-Aug 2009)

Designed, recommended, and delivered inventory plans for new items in assortment while developing and recommending seasonal merchandise flow strategies for optimal sell-through. Delivered advanced problem solving and root cause analysis of issues related to accounts and forecasting of sales trends.

Designed efficient summary reporting for senior management

Served as point of contact for high volume-profile accounts with minimal support

Promoted, displayed consistent communication with distribution centers, logistics teams

Maintained import ladder plans, communicated vendor reorder methods

Responsible for complex issues involving reporting, omit resolution and forecast trending as well as management of customer, segment and internal inventory programs

INVENTORY ANALYST

Sears Holdings, Hoffman Estates, IL (Apr 2006-May 2008)

Provided analysis and recommendations for inventory process, controls and procurement through examination of historical data and current trends to identify risks and opportunities.

Provided training and coaching of new analysts and team members for skill development

Assisted stores with special inventory needs and strategies

Coordinated, managed weekly conference calls with vendors to maintain flow of goods

Tracked weekly inventory levels, sales reporting, and purchase orders

ASSISTANT STORE DIRECTOR

Albertsons, Melrose Park, IL (May 2001-Apr 2006)

Managed performance of 50+ employees, responsible for hiring, training, scheduling and promotions, developing location to one of the highest volume stores in division.

Selected for special 300 store divisional reset project

Designed and created an Excel weekly district sales and labor recap analysis report for use by all store directors

Accurately monitored and forecasted department sales by week, quarter, and year

Previous Titles Held with Albertsons, Melrose Park, IL (1998-2001)

ASSISTANT DRUG STORE MANAGER - DEPARTMENT HEAD

EDUCATON

BS

Lean Six Sigma

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE: Individual Studies – Focus: Mathematics

Western Illinois University, Macomb, IL

Green Belt Certified in Lean Six Sigma Operations

VOLUNTEER

COACH

TREASURER

Taylor Branch YMCA Youth Sports Coach (2015-Present)

Timber Trails Master Homeowners Association (2008-2015)

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