Purchasing Manager, Procurement Manager

Geraldine M. Stout

**** ******** ******

Whiting, NJ 08759-3314

732-***-**** (home) / 732-***-**** (cell)

**********@***.***

SUMMARY of QUALIFICATIONS:

Seasoned Purchasing professional with extensive experience in Procurement and Purchasing management, in both the public and private sectors. Proficient multi-tasker with a strong focus on Quality and cost reduction, to include multi-site ISO environments. Strengths in all areas of Operations (i.e. Purchasing, Inventory Control, Warehousing, Receiving), to include workflows, systems and process improvements. Ability to build consensus within the Team to achieve objectives, improve service levels, to both internal and external Customers, as well as achieve cost reductions through improved efficiencies and process improvements, at both the departmental and organizational levels. Effective negotiator resulting in win-win for both parties.

EMPLOYMENT EXPERIENCE:

PROCUREMENT MANAGER - New Jersey Economic Development Authority (Trenton, NJ) October, 2012 to August, 2016

Managed and administered the procurement and bidding processes for a State Authority, for both core business and Office of Recovery - Superstorm Sandy Recovery Initiatives procurements, to ensure compliance with State laws, statutes and HUD regulations. This included drafting “Scopes of Service”, writing specifications and issuing Requests for Qualifications / Proposals (RFQ/Ps) as well as Requests for Bids (RFBs). Maintained and archived bid documentation, received proposals / bids an reviewed for responsiveness to the published specifications, obtained clarifications, as needed, before releasing to the Evaluation Committee. Tabulated Evaluation Committee scores and finalized recommendation for award with supporting documentation, for presentation to Board for approval.

Established policies to implement and support a centralized procurement environment resulting in direct and indirect cost reduction in pricing

Presented Pre-Bid Conferences to review specifications and submittal requirements with Prospective Bidders.

Drafted contracts to reflect the parameters of the solicitation and presented to Attorney General’s Office (AG) for legal review. Drafted contract in conjunction with attorney review and final execution (to include obtaining outstanding compliance and insurance); formalized and issued contract extensions.

Established and documented procurement methodologies, procedures and workflows to ensure compliance with state Executive Orders, laws and legislation, which included review and analysis of current work processes, and updating “Procurement Policies & Procedures Manual” and staff training, as appropriate.

Prepared reports and analyzed historical data relative to contracting, Requests for Qualifications / Proposals issued, solicitation projections (i.e. Contract / Price Agreement opportunities), etc. to identify opportunities for cost reduction and / or improved efficiencies, via a competitive process.

Served as point of contact with auditors, for both core business and Superstorm Sandy procurements.

Reviewed and audited invoices for the Superstorm Sandy Small Business Grant Recovery Contact engagement (approx. $8MM).

Benchmarked Procurement cycletimes for requisition and RFQ/P processes.

Interacted with Attorney General’s Office to obtain legal review, as needed, as well as with the Office of State Comptroller, regarding RFQ/Ps to be issued and / or awarded.

Guided and managed Procurement staff in purchasing, bidding and contracting protocols and strategies. Offered direction to departments on the creation of specifications for Request for Bids (formal process) vs. the less formal Request for Quote processes. Guided / instructed in language relative to terms and conditions, contracting, etc.

Assumed responsibility for the Authority’s Procurement Compliance Program to ensure requisite Compliance is referenced in solicitations; updated Compliance documents and RFQ/P language, based on new or revised legislation.

Coordinated the flow of documents and responses relative to bid protests / challenges and OPRA requests both within the Authority, as well as with Attorney General’s Office.

Served as Project Manager for the implementation for ReQlogic Procure-to-Pay system. Established workflows and hierarchies in support of the P2P system and in accordance with policy, to achieve increased efficiencies and improved Internal Customer satisfaction.

Administered the Set- Aside Program to ensure opportunities for Small Business Enterprises (SWMBE and VOB).

PROCUREMENT OFFICER - New Jersey Economic Development Authority (Trenton, NJ) January, 2008 to October, 2012

Managed and administered the procurement and bidding processes for a State Authority, to ensure compliance with State laws, statutes and HUD regulations. This included drafting “Scopes of Service”, writing specifications and issuing Requests for Qualifications / Proposals (RFQ/Ps) as well as Requests for Bids (RFBs). Maintained and archived bid documentation, received proposals / bids an reviewed for responsiveness to the published specifications, obtained clarifications, as needed, before releasing to the Evaluation Committee. Tabulated Evaluation Committee scores and finalized recommendation for award with supporting documentation, for presentation to Board for approval.

Established policies to implement a centralized procurement environment and corresponding processes to ensure compliance with public bidding laws and regulations.

Presented Pre-Bid Conferences to review specifications and submittal requirements with Prospective Bidders.

Drafted contracts to reflect the parameters of the solicitation and presented to Attorney General’s Office (AG) for legal review. Drafted contract in conjunction with attorney review and final execution (to include obtaining outstanding compliance and insurance); formalized and issued contract extensions.

Established and documented procurement methodologies, procedures and workflows for a decentralized procurement environment, to ensure compliance with state Executive Orders, laws and legislation, which included review and analysis of current work processes, and updating “Procurement Policies & Procedures Manual” and staff training.

Coordinated the flow of documents and responses relative to bid protests / challenges and OPRA within the organization and with Attorney General’s Office (AG).

PURCHASING MANAGER - New Jersey Highway Authority (Woodbridge, NJ) 1999 to 2002

Managed and supervised public procurement and bidding processes, in accordance with State regulations and statutes. Oversaw 4 Buyers, 9 Departmental Buyers and 3 administrative personnel; as well as indirect responsibility for Central Warehouse, Asset Control and Motor Pool departments, in absence of Director. Annual purchases total approximately $35+MM.

Managed Request for Qualifications / Proposals and / or Request for Bids processes to include drafting specifications for commodities and Scopes of Work for services to be bid, to include road and heavy equipment, automotive, general and professional services, uniforms, operational supplies, etc. Received bids / proposals, reviewed for responsiveness, prepared recommendations for award, drafted contracts for award with attorney review. Managed award process through contract execution.

Managed multi-year contracts for goods / services to ensure compliance, timely renewal and uninterrupted supply. Prepared analysis and Board Memo recommendation for award, secured appropriate documentation for presentation to Board of Commissioners for approval.

Managed Set-Aside (SWMBE) Program to ensure continuous improvement towards established goals. Presented seminars to Vendor community to increase number of prospective bidders.

Member of Implementation Team for Oracle Inventory module and modifications to the Purchasing module.

Implemented monthly blanket Purchase Order workflow to reduce number of POs issued, receipts processed, warehousing transactions, etc., while ensuring compliance with bidding requirements and processes and maximizing efficiencies.

DIRECTOR of PURCHASING - IVC Industries, Inc. (Freehold, NJ) 1997 – 1999

Responsible for corporate purchasing policy for a vitamin and nutritional supplement manufacturing company (3 locations: 5 Buyers; 1 Engineer). Annual purchases total approximately $46MM.

Commodities included raw materials (i.e. vitamins, chemicals and botanicals), components (i.e. printed labels, folding cartons, corrugate, molded packers and closures, subcontract services), capital expenditures and service contracts.

Negotiated annual purchase agreements with key Suppliers to ensure price stabilization and consistent source of quality-approved products.

Member of Implementation Team for new PointMan ERP and MRP II computer system.

Assisted in the creation and implementation of Engineering department and Engineering Change Notice (ECN) Committee.

PURCHASING MANAGER - Keptel, Incorporated (later ANTEC) (Tinton Falls, NJ) 1989 – 1997

Responsible for the procurement of raw materials and components for an ISO 9001-certified telecommunications manufacturing company (3 locations: 6 Buyers). Annual purchases total approximately $34MM.

Commodities included plastic resins, fasteners, electro-mechanical hardware, raw metals, stampings, moldings, corrugate and packaging supplies, printing, overseas subassemblies (sourced in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Czech etc.), capital expenditures and service contracts.

Negotiated annual purchase agreements with key Suppliers to ensure price stabilization and adherence to Purchase Price Variance (PPV)

Established division and corporate department procedures, in compliance with ISO 9001 standards. Member Internal ISO Audit Team (1988 through 1997)

Trained in Philip Crosby's Total Quality Management (TQM) principles (derived from LEAN Process Improvement).

Designed and implemented Supplier Certification Program to promote Zero Defect Quality.

Implemented Set-Aside (SMWBE) Program and compliance with annual goals, as required by Regional Bell Operating Companies.

Prepared annual department operating budget (expenses and inbound freight).

Interaction with all departments and levels of management, at the division and corporate levels.

Approved all purchases (inventory and MRO) to ensure adherence to PPV goals.

SENIOR BUYER – Keptel, Incorporated (Tinton Falls, NJ) 1986 – 1989

Responsibilities included supervising Purchasing staff (4) and training new employees.

Implemented computerized purchasing and receiving systems (Growth Power ERP software).

Responsible for procurement of high-end dollar commodities (i.e. resins, overseas subassemblies, custom hardware, station protection, etc.), capital expenditures, service / maintenance agreements.

Negotiated purchase agreements with sole source or high volume Suppliers to ensure price stabilization and adherence to PPV.

Member of Material Review Board (MRB) Committee and Engineering Change Notice (ECN) Committee.

SENIOR BUYER - Kulka Smith (A North American Phillips Company) (Manasquan, NJ) 1984 – 1986

Supervised Purchasing department staff (4).

Procured electromechanical components, plastic moldings, stampings, corrugate and packaging supplies, wire and cable, service contracts, etc.

Solicited Requests for Quote (RFQs) to ensure price competitiveness and multiple sources of supply.

Processed debits, served on Engineering Change Notice (ECN) committee.

Managed the relocation of product lines to subcontract molders to increase performance and reduce costs.

OPERATIONS MANAGER - Business Service Centers (Toms River, NJ) 1983 – 1984

Managed small business start-up operation ($5MM).

Supervised 20 employees in the areas of Purchasing, Production Scheduling, Inventory Control, Warehousing and Costing.

Prepared and managed annual operating budget.

EDUCATION / SEMINARS:

Cook College - Rutgers University (New Brunswick, NJ) 1982

LEAN Process Improvement American Management Association (New York) (Oct 1 – 2, 2015)

Total Quality Management (TQM) 1988 through 1997 in ongoing support of ISO Accreditation

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