STEPHEN TUCKER
***** ***** ***** *********** ** *5436
707-***-**** *******@*****.***
PURCHASING AND PRODUCT MARKETING MANAGEMENT PROFILE
Multi-faceted, cost-efficient Purchasing Management Professional, with
expertise in procurement, sourcing, contract management, account
management, vendor relations and inventory control. Skillfully administer
contract negotiations to align product selection with operational
requirements. Proven expertise in product marketing, streamlining and
supporting project efficiency and productivity, while maintaining
sufficient inventory levels to accommodate changing priorities. Productive
contributor to team-based and self-managed tasks; successfully deliver
results within tight deadlines and strict budgets. Strong skillset in
merchandising, promotion sales, business development and marketing /
merchandising.
Procurement & Sourcing . Project Management . Project Lifecycle . Contract
Management & Negotiation
Materials Management . Resource Management . Strategic Planning . Bid
Evaluation . Merchandising
Marketing . Report Generation . Sales Management . Client / Vendor
Relations . Consumer Products
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
SHIKAI PRODUCTS, Santa Rosa, CA ? 01/2012 - 08/2014
A natural hair care and skin care product manufacturer with #2 market share
in natural stores across the US.
Manager - Medical Division
Ensured attainment of company performance objectives through effective
sourcing, marketing, and sales, with ongoing responsibility for developing
new accounts. Formulated and implemented marketing strategy to promote
organization's presence and expansion in mainstream food and drug markets.
Planned and implemented medical outreach to nursing groups, in addition to
establishing broker network and targeting key industry events and trade
shows to drive sales leads. Set up pharmacist trainings with drug and
grocery chains. Negotiated purchasing contracts with large retailers.
Accomplishments:
. Implemented medical outreach program / nurse sampling (Wound Care and
Diabetes Educators) to expand market for ShiKai Borage Therapy products,
which became standard of care in these nursing groups.
. Doubled sales in target accounts by utilizing doctor detailing and
sampling program to direct customers to specific retailers.
. Established targeted broker program to complement target accounts.
Activated grocery and drug retailers as well as top tier medical
distributors such as McKesson, Amerisource and Smith Drug using
effective distribution drives.
. Increased sales by over 35% though effective "Real Results" marketing
leveraging before and after photos from our clinical trials.
ZAP, INC., Santa Rosa, CA ? 09/2006 - 06/2011
A designer and marketer of alternative energy 100% electric on road
vehicles, personal electric vehicles and "Portable Energy" electronic
devices.
Director - Consumer Products, Portable Energy
Designed, sourced, imported and marketed personal electronics and personal
transportation. Created product packaging and collateral sales material in
coordination with graphic design department for Portable Energy, Zapino and
Zappy Scooter line. Maintained all key account relationships. Oversaw all
financial issues regarding import and initial factoring opportunity for
Canadian Tire opening orders. Handled collections, oversaw invoicing,
maintained customer relationships, controlled inventory, and performed
ordering for both domestic and overseas suppliers. Managed trade show
participation, including Macworld, Retailvision and others. Introduced
first line up of all-electric street legal scooters (Zapino); worked with
engineering department to upgrade battery management system. Maintained
compatibility of Portable Energy line with all current and emerging smart
phone and laptop models. Oversaw all sales, while interfacing with Asian
factories and supervising QC process.
Accomplishments:
. Created and brought Portable Energy Line to market for ZAP. Secured
$600K purchase from Canadian Tire over three month period.
. Increased revenue 28% by successful contract negotiations with vendors
producing cost-effective products.
. Played key role in securing $1M in outside investment for "Portable
Energy" project after market entry.
. Revamped ZAP electric scooter line and positioned into "mobility" and
recreational market. Solved quality issues by sourcing key parts like
the "Hub Motor" and brought them under one roof to manufacture.
. Successfully negotiated with Apple to secure highly sought after Made
for iPhone, iPod and iPad licensing agreement. Built line to spec and
stayed within contract parameters with Apple.
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. Achieved highest benchmarks for packaging sustainability at Walmart
with Portable Energy Line.
. Managed all customer relationships with high profile clients such as
Best Buy, Costco, Canadian Tire Corp., Wal-Mart and Kroger Stores.
BARNES DISTRIBUTION, Santa Rosa, CA ? 01/2003 - 08/2006
An MRO parts supply distributor.
Area Manager
Drove sales of MRO supplies in Marin, Sonoma and Napa Counties. Set up
vendor managed inventory systems in
manufacturing and transportation market leaders, with responsibility for
increasing territory sales. Consulted with major customers in North Bay to
analyze, organize and modernize their MRO inventory management systems.
Handled and managed key accounts, including Ghillotti Brothers
Construction, Shamrock Materials, Clover Stornetta (Production and
Transportation), Queen of the Valley Hospital, Memorial Hospital, Standard
Structures, and Waste Management.
Accomplishments:
. Succeeded in increasing sales from $4K to $70K monthly.
IMPACT MERCHANDISING, Livermore, CA ? 09/2003 - 12/2002
A distributor with ownership of store sets at Safeway, Longs Drugs and
McKesson.
Merchandise Manager
Held total purchasing accountability for food and drug distributor, with
responsibility for supervising three buyers. Provided training on
innovative and fundamental purchasing techniques and strategic supply
management. Managed general merchandise product assortment in seven major
business categories in food and drug chain stores, including Safeway and
CVS / Long's Drug stores. Performed inventory forecasting based on
promotional activities, customer's on-hand inventory, and monthly scan out.
Negotiated all pricing and programs with vendors, promotions for chain
stores and vendor support of promotions.
Accomplishments:
. Reduced costs and increased margins significantly for both distributor
and the retailer.
. Created category management system to assign process to lead
vendor in each category to provide competitive scan data to build
assortment and schematics. Increased sales and profits in traditional
categories and led sales in emerging categories.
FRY'S ELECTRONICS, San Jose, CA ? 01/1994 - 01/2001
A retail chain of consumer electronics superstores.
Merchandise and Operations Supervisor
Directed store merchandising, purchasing, promotion, and sales of home
audio, portable audio, and mobile electronics for 39-superstore retailer.
Held total responsibility for Fry's Audio Divisions, buying, associate
development, merchandising, advertising and sales. Managed activities of
three department product expeditors. Developed and implemented purchasing
contract practices with all vendors, resulting in improved communication
and lower finance resolution issues. Held bottom line responsibility for
ROI on all assigned departments. Provided training in advanced sales and
customer service techniques. Assessed sales metrics and reported status to
senior management.
Accomplishments:
. Increased product inventory turns from 4.5 to 11.0 per year, and "in-
stock" percentage to over 99.5%.
. Reduced defective merchandising as percentage of total inventory to
less than 0.3%.
. Eliminated all vendor freight charges with no increase in cost of
goods.
. Secured major price concessions, first in line inventory
consideration and promotional allowances from major vendors such as
Sony, Bose and Panasonic.
. Partnered with Bose Corporation, resulting in Fry's Electronics
becoming #1 retailer for Bose on a per store front basis in the world.
EDUCATION
BS in Communications Arts - Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA