Colleen Woods
Purchasing, Management, Supply Chain Professional
Phone 201- 599-2957 Cell 201-***-****
Email ********@*******.***
*** **** **** *****, *** Milford, NJ 07646
High performing, results-oriented purchasing / inventory manager with proven success in managing Inventory and Staff. Reducing costs, increasing productivity, enhancing customer satisfaction and effectively communicating at various organizational levels. Approaches challenges with positive determination and a high moral compass.
Procurement / Replenishment / Warehousing / Distribution / Supply Chain / Logistics / Inventory Management / Forecasting / Cost Control / CRM / Retail-Wholesale / Shipping & Receiving / CPI /
Training / VRM / Help Desk support / Security system assignment.
Professional Experience
Natural Markets Food Group 2013 - 2016
Help Desk Support & POS Specialist- Technology (2014 – 2016)
Lead in POS configuration / programming and continued management for all Mrs. Greens and Planet Organic locations.
Provide excellent end user support locally and/or remotely for all support office Staff and Store personnel in both the US and Canada.
Deploy and configure PC laptops or desktops abiding by IT standards. Part of new store opening team, sharing responsibility for full technological set up.
Providing Support for multiple aspects of retail business both software and hardware based.
Knowledge of Microsoft Office, Office 365, Active Directory, NetSuite, Concur, Expensify, Dayforce and ECRS. Administer user accounts, file sharing, granting permission rights, and security rolls utilizing MS Active Directory.
Administer employees company issued cell phone devices, reconcile invoices and ensure appropriate rate plans are applied, adhering to company policy. Maintain inventory and invoices of handset devices, laptops/desktops.
Responsible for RMA on all nonfunctional equipment.
Training and Operational Analyst (2013 - 2014)
*Successfully converted all the point of sales systems and trained store personnel. Worked with a team to successfully convert the existing POS system and re-train twelve existing Mrs. Green store in the United States and Six Planet Organic store in Canada within a four-week time frame, without any down for the stores.
Training Support Office and Store Associates on New Point of Sales operating system (POS).
Collectively created and implement SOP's for multiple areas of the business Including Cashiers training, End of day store operations and Closing cash office procedures.
Create and Maintain Security access for all associates, for multiple systems
C&S Wholesale Grocers, largest wholesale grocery supply company in the U.S. 1984 – 2012
(warehousing and purchasing functions transferred from Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Co. to C&S in 2005).
Purchasing Manager (2005 – 2012)
*Optimized promotional inventory, reducing excess by $1M. A&P had significant excess promotional inventory. Identified and tracked excess sale product. Communicated with major customer responsible for overstock situation. Reduced weekly promotional excess, putting more focus on items that were a promotional success
*Reduced inventory $2.6M while maintaining contractual service goals. C&S was struggling with dead and non-productive inventory. Identified root cause. Distributed information with buying teams and department heads. Reduced inventory while maintaining customer’s contractual service goals.
*Upgraded forecasting system, better defining inventory needs. New forecasting system at C&S did not accommodate all products. Worked with Forecasting team to address forecasting issues. Created work around by redefining parameters to address seasonality, etc. Forced system to better forecast inventory needs.
Responsible for asset management and replenishment of $8.5M in inventory.
Managed seven direct reports responsible for replenishment buying of $4.7M in weekly store shipments.
Direct and manage procurement of all promotional sales plans for two large retail customers on the east coast, while maintaining service level and inventory requirements as specified in two different wholesale contractual agreements.
Developed excel spreadsheet to track and monitor sale activity and reduce over stock.
Manage the procurement and assets for holiday and seasonal movement fluctuations.
Maintain excellent communications with senior management, regarding progress or issues that affect company obligations to their retail customers.
Provided retail customers with service level and promotional inventory information, ensuring good customer service and relations.
Maintained contractual service levels and inventory levels for two large retail customers, while reducing non-productive inventory.
Analyzing inventory data for purpose of maintaining appropriate inventory levels
Securing, utilizing and maintaining automated forecasting and replenishment tools
Cultivating relationships with key suppliers to maximize inventory performance
Building, training and leading high-performance teams
Develop and Maintain spreadsheets to control and monitor Inventories, forecasts and progress.
The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co., Montvale New Jersey 1984 – 2005
Senior Purchasing Manager - System Manager (2002-2005)
*Spearheaded seamless inventory transition to new facility. A&P was closing one facility and opening another. Supervised daily analysis of in-bound product to new facility. Monitored all products from old facility to new facility. Minimized all dating issues while continuing to supply and maintain 95% in-store stock service level.
Managed team of 11 including two purchasing managers responsible for replenishing and promotional buying for five regions and nine warehouses, categories included, Perishable, Frozen, Bakery and Grocery.
Tracked and monitored over 3,500 promotional items weekly to maintain a 96.5% in stock service level.
Managed multiple sales programs for 5 geographical regions, including seasonal programs, holiday programs and multiple weekly programs for different banners.
Provided and maintain service reporting metrics by region and distribution facility.
Responsible for the training new buyers on all databases systems, replenishment modules and hard copy reporting tools.
Purchasing Manager - Senior Buyer (2000 - 2002)
Responsible for over $60M in inventory while achieving 97% service level.
Responsible for managing staff of six buyers and one assistant buyer, buying for three regions and nine warehouses including Perishable, Frozen, Bakery and Grocery.
Perform managerial duties while also solely responsible for buying $6.0M in dairy and grocery inventory.
Responsible for training new buyers on all system and reports.
Track and Monitor over 1500 promotional items to maintain 100%% in stock ratio to support success at retail level.
Maintain multiple sales programs, seasonal programs, holiday programs and multiple week programs.
Developed excel spreadsheet to track and monitor sale activity and reduce over stock.
Implemented new perishable facility while maintaining 95% service level.
Overall reduced inventory by $2.6M.
National - Corporate Buyer (1997 - 2000)
Accountable for $ 6M of grocery inventories.
Track over 200 promotional items weekly monitoring 3 sales programs in 4 facilities to maintain 100% in stock ratio to support success at retail level.
Maintain Purchase Pattern and inventory of various products for nine/four national warehouse.
Maintain constant communication with Category Managers, warehouse personnel, product vendors manufacturing representatives and store personnel.
Work with transportation to maximize cost savings.
Analyze and project items for weekly ads.
Utilize computerized ordering system to track and project movement.
Monitor 135 purchase orders weekly to ensure proper delivery time.
Maintain a 97% in stock service level on annual shipments at a cost of $170M.
Assistant Buyer (1996 - 1997)
Assisted in maintaining acceptable level of inventory in support of National buyers for nine national warehouses.
Responsible for the input of product information to help the buyer achieves proper product mix.
Promotional Buyer (1994 - 1996)
*Saved A&P $7M in promotional inventory purchases. Department goals were set to reduce product costs and increase company revenue. Negotiated purchase prices to save minimum of 5% below current vendor cost. Sold merchandise to wholesalers for profit by taking advantage of deals from vendors
Responsible for buying merchandise at a discount from wholesalers.
Negotiated purchase prices to save a minimum of 5% below current vendor list
Sold merchandise to wholesalers for a profit by taking advantage of the deals from the vendors
Jointly responsible for saving A&P $7.5M during the 1994 fiscal year.
Inventory Control Manager (1990 - 1994)
Controlling 600,000 cases weekly for incoming product, closely monitoring warehouse accounting, tracking of merchandise and ensuring of appropriate labeling for checking.
Served as trouble-shooter in resolving any problem area through to resolution.
Interfaced with the buyers to order necessary items.
Formulate reports on inventory for submission to the Director of the Warehouse.
Displayed total familiarity with all aspects of the Chain Store Computer System used on a daily basis.
Exhibited a highly organized approach to tasks at hand with strict attention to details.
Coordinated semi-annual Physical inventories.
Gave 100% to achieve established goals and objectives.
Warehouse Supervisor - Inventory Control Supervisor (1987 - 1990)
Supervised the activities of 150 union employees and 50 support personnel in shipping, receiving and inventory.
Worked closely with the Inventory Manager.
Customer Service - Warehouse Clerk (1984 - 1987)
Became familiar first hand with the process of paperwork for shipping. Trained by Warehouse Manager in all facets of warehousing, including payroll, personnel, accountings, shipping, receiving, store services and PC usage.
Trained new clerical personnel in company policies and procedures.
Education and Certification
Inforem seminar (2005)
Grid Program (2004)
Leadership development classes (2000)
Leadership Development Program Gaptitude (1999)
Management Development Program (1989)
High School Diploma from North Bergen High School, North Bergen NJ (1981)