James K. Mead

*** ******** ***. *.*. ~ Grand Rapids, Michigan 49504

Phone 616-***-**** Mobile: 616-***-****

Primary email: actqry@r.postjobfree.com

Alternate email: actqry@r.postjobfree.com

SUMMARY:

Highly qualified Purchasing Professional with experience in several aspects of the procurement function in various manufacturing environments.

Experience as: purchase parts planner, buyer/planner, purchasing agent, and purchasing manager.

Familiarity with: cold rolled steel, cold heading wire, ferrous and non-ferrous metals, stampings, fasteners, plating, painting (power and wet coat), e-coat, zinc die castings, electric welding steel tubing (including DOM), plastic raw material compounds, plastic injection components, plastic extrusions, magnet wire, deep drawn stampings, and various interior automotive specialties i.e. cigarette lighters.

TOOLS and TECHNOLOGY

Setup and developed several ad-hoc system queries utilizing IBM AS400/ iSeries Access/ODBC drivers connected to the MAPICS system libraries as part of both reports that were to be provided weekly and at period end.

Utilized Microsoft Office 2003 daily in conjunction with the MAPICS software including Microsoft WORD, EXCEL, OUTLOOK, ACCESS, and POWERPOINT.

EXPERIENCE:

SAF Holland USA, Inc Muskegon, Michigan 2/2009 to 6/2013

Strategic Commodity Specialist

Report directly to the Vice-President of Strategic Sourcing for North America with sourcing responsibility for approximately $54 million in commodities. Leadership responsibility in developing relationships with strategic suppliers in procurement of purchased components for a seven plant operation in the US (locations in Holland Michigan, Muskegon Michigan. Wylie, Texas-Dallas area, 2 locations in Warrenton, Missouri-St Louis area Dumas Arkansas, and Woodstock Ontario Canada. This company is an OEM manufacturer for components used in class 8 commercial vehicles and trailers with global operations in China, South America, South Africa, Europe, and the Eastern. My responsibility was limited to North America.

Developed alternative sourcing for the trailer business air springs that reduced cost by 20%, enhanced cash flow through means of a consignment program, and saved the $40 and assembly. Annualized cost reduction $750000

Consolidated source on grease fittings from 6 different sources serving 7 locations with a cost reduction of 15%

Consolidated a grade 8 fastener sources from 15 to 8. On-going process with product eventually being provided by 3 sources. Cost reduction of 8.25%

Develop and maintained the information and sourcing records for SAP

Monitor and maintain the supplier metrics for the commodities assigned.

Direct sourcing and evaluation on new suppliers

Worked in developing an alternate source for brake shoe linings. Based on the current forecast and past performance cost reduction were estimated to be between $750 and $1 million annually.

Approximate domestic travel 20%

NICHOLAS PLASTICS, INC Allendale, Michigan 1994-2008

Purchasing Manager

Responsible for all purchasing activities in a manufacturing operation that supported 225 employees and corporate sales of $24 million.

Issued and negotiated contracts for all raw materials and services and updated and reviewed the contract terms and conditions as needed.

Developed the policies and procedures originally for registration under QS9000 and later for registration under TS16949.

Implemented e-commerce policies and procedures for on-line purchases of various MRO suppliers to reduce the paperwork involved with smaller volume or spot buys.

Developed and implemented a PROCARD (procurement credit card) in order to streamline purchase of low-volume or one-time purchases.

Reduced the total supplier base by 30% reducing redundancy in sourcing and to allow economies of scale in purchases of like items.

Developed a minority sourcing program with our supply base. Met and exceeded the target mandated by Chrysler each year since it was implemented. By meeting the target the corporation was able to secure additional new business with Chrysler.

Improved quality, reduced costs, and developed a backup source as part of a mandated disaster plan for the OEMs through alternate sourcing of PVC compounds for the body side molding program.

Successfully implemented and updated the ERP software for an upgraded MAPICS XA launch from Systems 36 to an AS400/IBM Series 1 computer.

Developed a supplier management and evaluation reporting system based on quality, delivery, price, and value engineering.

Acquisition management from cradle to grave procurement in support of the corporation’s Just-In-Time (Lean Manufacturing System).

Negotiation of all long-term and short-term material contracts for the corporation.

Maintained the records for all diversity reporting for Chrysler. Worked in team based environment in reviewing and selecting new suppliers for both new and current projects.

Provided the accounting department with a weekly spend analysis, as well as a forecast of projected spending for the next four weeks.

Lescoa (Leslie Metal Arts) Grand Rapids, Michigan 1989 to 1994

Purchasing Agent, one of a group of 5 purchasing agents in a Tier 1 automotive OEM environment supporting a 7 plant operation with 1500 employees and over $180 million in corporate sales.

Purchasing agent in automotive OEM environment with the responsibility for purchasing, procuring, processing request for quotations, insuring specification compliance, proper logistics, cost reduction, cost containment.

Open order follow up and selection of sources for components.

Established and put into place sources for an internal wire harness operation for their exterior lighting assemblies.

Annualized purchases were approximately $13-14 million a year.

Team member for the implementation of an upgraded ERP systems purchasing module (BPICS).

LDI (Lankfer Diversified Inc) Grand Rapids, Michigan 1984 to 1989

Purchasing Manager, sole purchasing manager in a 3 person department 3 plant operation supporting the activities of 125 employees and supporting sales of $25 million.

Purchasing Manager in a three person department with a responsibility for $11 million in annual purchases.

Purchased and sourced several different materials including stampings, magnetic wire, plastic compounds.

Daily duties included all aspects of the supplier management function including supplier selection, supplier quality, and price negotiation.

Implemented and loaded much of the initial information into the computer systems for the MRP launch.

EDUCATION

Masters of Management Aquinas College 2003

Bachelor of Science Business Administration Aquinas College 1989

Bachelor of Science w/honors Grand Valley State University 1972

REFERENCES

References can be supplied on request.

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