Trudy V. Tolbert

330-***-**** cell

act820@r.postjobfree.com

Supply Base Manager

John Deere, Inc. Coffeyville, KS (current – Sept 2006)

I lead the Strategic Sourcing Process for high spend, more complex, and critical parts (gears and shafts) sourced on a global basis by forming a cross-functional team for the purpose of data gathering, quote preparation, and gap analysis in order to make fact-based decisions regarding supplier selection and sourcing needs. I lead a commodity team in the implementation of strategies within the division by administering the commodity strategy and purchase of material and machined parts. In this position extensive global travel is required and understanding multi-cultural environments is mandatory.

oI lead sourcing teams in developing and implementing global sourcing strategies to design the optimal supply base that meets organizational demands and secure the lowest total acquisition cost for purchased products and services; which includes reviewing and approving requisitions/schedules from my tactical buyers.

oThis position requires me to assemble and analyzes data to arrive at Request for Quote (RFQ) / Request for Proposal (RFP) criteria, a final list of potential global suppliers and a negotiation strategy. I negotiate long-term agreements with specific suppliers, ensuring the company meets its targeted goals.

oI drive the implementation plan for the commodity team, establishing metrics and tracking tools to measure progress in meeting objectives and serving continuous improvement. This entails establishing targeted supplier pricing, capacity to meet an established demand/forecast, and delivery schedules.

oI manage high level, strategic supplier contacts with key or high-impact suppliers as they are selected and integrated into the divisions operations -- developing relationships with upper management to assure long-term strategic sources: communicating performance goals, gaps to performance and outline strategies for improvement to assure performance expectations are achieved as they relate to the John Deere’s business needs, utilizing Achieving Excellence criteria (supplier performance/key performance indicators). My relationship provides leverage in expediting communication and follow-through on delivery deadlines.

oIn my position I define, resolve, and provide permanent solutions to systemic supplier performance issues with the assistance of other functional employees such as quality, product engineering, planners, and buyers managing the day-to-day supplier relationship issues and assuring proper communication occurs.

oI utilize external and internal commodity tools to fully understand my commodity; such as steel markets and transportation. Taking this information into account allows me to have contingency plans in place.

oIn working with a global supply base I have incorporated the use of long term, pricing, and material agreements to drive cost reductions. I have negotiated purchase orders based on the agreements and the supplier’s quotes (bid); as well, taking into account optimal inventory levels and driving the right MOQs and safety stock amounts from the supplier.

oI maintain the process of record-keeping for all projects; including new projects (PDP), existing cost reductions (OFP), DPARs and PPAPs; as well as NCCAs and root cause analysis. I integrate our inventory (SOH) and our firmed requirements.

oI am the business owner of the supplier’s delivery and quality matrix (DPPM and QPPM) through the John Deere Achieving Excellence program (AE). I hold the supplier accountable to meeting partner level expectations. I review their delivery and quality non-conformances on a monthly and semi-annual basis, and if needed; I put in place a recovery plan utilizing both facility planners and quality engineers to set goals and timelines. I present the mid and year end results to the supplier in a PowerPoint Presentation.

oI participate in continuous improvement (CI) meetings with our project engineers to communicate new ideas, new suppliers, and new manufacturing trends. The meetings are a two way discussion between supply and project management.

oI start the process with a request for proposal (RFP) to identified suppliers for potential partnerships between John Deere and the supplier, who in most cases is the subject matter expert, in designing and developing potential part(s) or programs.

oIt is my responsibility to identify, develop and implement breakthrough methods to integrate with the Enterprise Product Delivery Process (PDP) processes and activities.

oIn the team environment I lead and motivate 2 to 5 direct reports and cross-functional team members.

Demand Planning Manager

Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. (Div. of Colgate Palmolive) Topeka, KS (Aug. 1993 – Jun. 2004)

oResponsible for the management of demand forecasts through the facilitation of the S&OP process.

oDeveloped and maintained operational and financial forecasts.

oCreated and maintained regression-based forecast models utilizing SAP/APO Demand Planning software.

oGathered and validated market information through internal and external collaborations.

oManaged new product introductions and the resulting cannibalizations.

oConducted regular meetings with the logistic planning team to update changes in supply plans and facilitated the Demand and Operations Planning meetings.

oResponsible for providing informational updates, ad-hoc reports, profit analysis, and end of month reports to various levels of management.

oInstrumental in implementing the change from Forecast Pro to SAP/APO Demand Planning software. This included all testing, documentation, and team training.

oTwo forecast analysts reported to me.

Current Skills/Knowledge

oAdvanced negotiating skills

oKnowledge of steel mill purchases (Timken trained)

oEnvironmental & Restricted Materials

oDecision making

oGlobal training including sanctions

oQuality engineer (design of experiments)

oQuality auditor

oGD&T (Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerance)/Blueprint reading

o6 Sigma (yellow belt)

oBehavior interviewing (DDI)

oProject management

oSAP power user

oERP knowledge

oMicrosoft expert (Excel, Word, Access, Project)

oSupervised over 30 employees (work planning, contingency planning, and performance evaluations)

oConflict resolution

oTeam building

oLogistics (receiving and shipping)

oInventory control

oMRP and material management

Education

Benedictine College, Atchison, KS, MBA (3.8) 2003

Baker University, Baldwin City, KS BBA (Summa cum Laude 4.0) 2002

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