ROBERT BRAID

Toronto, Ontario Canada

Tel: 416-***-**** Email: adbvzf@r.postjobfree.com

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE

A Global Sourcing Procumbent, Business Development, Finance and Sales Executive’, with over 15 years of experience in negotiating high-value contracts and managing global sourcing, distribution and logistics for the corporate, government and retail sectors throughout North America. Highly skilled in setting the vision, developing and executing the global sourcing strategy for raw materials, components and finished goods while leading global business operations for the execution of demand/supply planning and supply chain logistics/fulfillment functions. Sales-driven with experience in both direct sales and partnering opportunities - prospecting, identify and qualify new business opportunities. Proficient in identifying, auditing and cementing profitable and mutually beneficial relationships with OEM suppliers and manufacturers throughout North America and in countries such as Bangladesh, India, China and Pakistan.

An excellent relationship builder with solid operational, analytical and strategic planning skills, able to lead through influence in setting objectives, solving problems and making decisions in a team oriented, dynamic and complex global environment. Strong presentation and communication skills that inspire, motivate and build trust leading to productive relationships with staff, colleagues and business partners.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

President & CEO - TALMACK INDUSTRIES INC., Toronto, ON 2014 – Present

Play a highly visible, critical role to the daily operations and overall success of this clothing and textile service company with products sourced internationally and manufacturing operations in Canada; manage global sourcing, inventory planning and management, purchasing, quality management, distribution and logistics to provide uniform, protective clothing, and custom corporate image apparel to businesses and government agencies, including police services and the military

§Plan, develop and execute tactical and strategic operations to meet business goals by leveraging potential business development opportunities with a network global resource

§Simultaneously engage in global sourcing and business development opportunities to enhance the potential of the company in managing high value, high profit clothing and textile projects

§Align business and operational objectives with global relationships to secure high quality, specialized and regulatory compliant fabrics and clothing; these include safety workwear, flame resistant workwear, weather resistant and high visibility clothing

§Conduct vendor inspection tours and facility audits of OEM suppliers and manufacturers; select and negotiate procurement contracts of various complexities with suitable vendors based on factors such as product quality, manufacturing practices (Lean, TQM), the financial health of the company, evaluation of their ERP/Supply Chain Management system, track record, and their ability to deliver best-in-class service, support order acceleration, and achieve on-time delivery

§Manage ongoing relationships with leaders across the globe and leverage country-specific local employees to ensure orders are completed in a profitable manner while meeting/exceeding customer expectations; keep customer apprised throughout the entire order process cycle

§Oversee the distribution team to execute the customer order/fulfillment process with industry leading levels of service working with both internal teams and Third-Party Logistics partners

§Screen, select, hire and train key employees to manage local operations and protect the best interest of the Company; provide them with ongoing support motivation and influence to achieve KPIs on lead times, logistics costs, delivery performance, asset utilization and inventory risk

§Drive business development by identifying new industry verticals and business development opportunities, networking and maintaining current knowledge of business development opportunities, pursuing and capitalizing on opportunities; oversee the preparation/submission of bids, RFPs, RFQs and follow up to secure contracts; build and maintain a well-balanced pipeline of opportunities

§Ensure sustainable processes and company growth by fostering, developing and maintaining relationships with key influencers within the industry, helping to drive decisions in favour of obtaining profitable contracts

§Manage company finance coordinating with Sales, Accounts Payable, Fixed Assets, Outside Sources (i.e. vendors, freight carriers), Procurement and Field Operations, managing cash flow and bank relationship; effectively balancing risk and reward to optimize business success

§Provide leadership to ensure company operations function in a responsible, profitable and compliant manner in accordance with the company's policies and applicable laws, including all customs/trade compliance standards, rules and regulations

Accomplishments

§Identified and capitalized on a niche by conceptualizing, establishing and spearheading the company from concept to full scale operation delivering a breakeven point after the first year and profitable results with multimillion dollars in annual revenue within three years

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Accomplishments continued

§Attracted, developed and retained strong, diverse talented, high-performance team of 28 operating in India, Bangladesh, China and Pakistan to identify opportunities and drive results for the company

§Established solid procurement and manufacturing business relationship with a high caliber of global companies with internationally recognized qualifications such as Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), the Bangladesh Accord on Fire and Building Safety (ACCORD), ISO (15487:2018, 9000)

§Gained an intimate understanding of the Global Value Chain, including B2B relations, methods of engaging and securing a competitive advantage, setting and managing expectations to deliver productive outcomes, as well as the consideration of the different regulatory, financial, geographical, cultural and consumer requirements involved in driving the success of such transactions

§Created a wealth of local and international resources for the procurement, manufacture and distribution of clothing through ethical business relationships and the penchant to evaluate and continually improve the supply chain working with suppliers to optimize performance, costs, and partnerships; leading to long term business relations

§Secured major accounts such as the Canadian Armed Forces, several police services, firefighter organizations, oil and gas (O&G) companies and large corporate clients

President & CEO - CAMPUS ORIGINALS LTD., Toronto, ON 1994 - Present

Lead the overall strategy and performance of the company for the purchased and distribution of high-quality garments for the retail sector, including resorts, colleges and universities throughout Canada and the USA effectively developing a globally aligned highly effective procurement organization

§Travel to source and identify suitable OEM suppliers and vendors for the manufacture of clothing, acquire quote packages, and negotiate best total costs while ensuring achievement of quality and service; structure deals with mitigation strategies to optimize results

§Recruit, train and manage local team members charged with development and execution of value optimizing supplier strategies to secure the best interest of the company in all aspects of cost, quality, and product delivery to meet deadlines and ensure customer satisfaction

§Negotiate and award contracts to suppliers and manufacturing companies together with detailed specifications and schedule; monitor supplier/manufacturer performance and encourage continual improvements in their performance in quality, supply chain and cost

§Manage sales, marketing and other business development initiatives while controlling expenditure and monitoring sales and marketing program performance to optimize ROI

§Generate proposals and provide related pricing materials for potential clients; follow up on inquiries and concerns in a timely manner; and lead, manage and close the full sales cycle

§Monitor fashion trends stay informed about fashion trends by paying attention to sales trends, customer demands and attending various trade shows

§Ensure all Import/Export documentation is maintained, and all processes meet regulatory requirements

Accomplishments

§Bought and Built a company from 200K to become a multimillion-dollar 3.8 M USD revenue generating enterprise within a highly competitive market while earning a reputation for product quality and reliability based on the ability to provide effective leadership and manage quality both domestically and internationally

§Increased profits and facilitated wins of highly competitive bids by creating sourcing strategies that reduced direct material cost and optimized product quality while leveraging working capital to achieve stringent product specifications and delivery requirements

§Acquired an enhanced strategic understanding of the business, including the specifics of sourcing, risk, and quality with the analytical ability to identify emerging trends, frame the right questions, and create realistic and financially sound visions for all functions

§Build trust and value-based collaborative relationships with OEM suppliers and manufacturers globally by clearly articulating business objectives, establishing priorities, setting performance benchmarks and creating synergy with inherent accountability among other business leaders

§Initiated, coordinated and fueled business opportunities based on the natural tendency to seek the input and buy-in of key executives in formulating ideas and plans, and bringing people together across the globe to achieve results as a team and share best practices

§Secured majors accounts in the hospitality and tourism industry as well as with colleges and universities throughout Canada and the USA

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EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Over the years completed many professional development courses, workshops and online sessions also attended many conferences and industry specific trade shows; covered areas such as:

§Service Innovation ■ Entrepreneurship

§Business Finance ■ Cash Flow Management

§Complex Negotiations ■ International Trade (Import/Export)

§Strategic Partnerships ■ Trade and Customs Documentation

§Sustainable Sourcing ■ Fabric Quality & Technical Specifications

LAKEHEAD UNIVERSITY, Orillia, ON

Science Degree Program, completed three of the four year program

GEORGE BROWN COLLEGE, Toronto, ON

Business - Hotel and Restaurant Management

COMPUTER SKILLS

§Computer software applications such as Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel and Outlook as well as Internet research and communication tools

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

§A strong analytical thinker with expertise in change management, able to understand wider business issues without losing sight of the details to make sound decisions and influence management and team members at the most senior levels

§A result oriented and focused leader with broad and deep functional expertise and a clear, concise and relevant communication style with excellent presentational skills

§Identify opportunities and solutions to help businesses achieve their objectives based on knowledge of global supply chain, risk mitigation strategies and practices together with the technologies, environment, market forces, regulations and trends in B2B and B2C demands

§Strengthen organizational capacity and build future leaders for the organization by mentoring, and coaching all direct staff while participating in long term strategic planning for overall operations

§Gather business intelligence, perform high-level data analysis and translate results into easily comprehendible formats to facilitate sound management decision making

§Discern the often hidden opportunities in the guise of challenges as a critical thinker and pragmatic problem solver with the penchant for resourcefulness, creativity and innovation

§Accountable with good stewardship of resources; ensuring the effective, efficient and sustainable use of resources and assets, e.g. financial, human, physical and information resources

§Proven experience in working effectively in team structures and collaborate with cross-functional internal/external partners towards the achievement of common goals

REFERENCES

§Available upon request

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