SARAH M. SIMMONS

Johns Creek, GA ***** • 470-***-**** • adi27n@r.postjobfree.com • linkedin.com/in/Sarah-Manley-Simmons

DIRECTOR – SENIOR MANAGER SUPPLY CHAIN & PROCUREMENT

Strategic Sourcing Procurement Analyst Commodity Trade Manager Senior Buyer

Dedicated procurement leader with 20+ years of experience streamlining end-to-end supply chain/value chain and optimizing procurement spend for global organizations in diverse industries.

Global Sourcing Leader who optimizes supplier mix by sourcing new vendors globally and growing relationships with existing suppliers. Relentless senior buyer who achieves multimillion-dollar cost savings through astute negotiating and competitive bidding process. Versatile background including procurement for raw materials, commodities, food service, chemicals, and oil and gas.

Customer Buying Group Director who provides superior customer service and acts with a strong sense of urgency. Responsive customer advocate who proactively resolves issues by collaborating with internal departments. Experienced in creating and managing buying groups and contributing to business development efforts by meeting with prospects and onboarding members.

Project Manager experienced in requirements gathering and managing entire project lifecycle.

KEY COMPETENCIES

Operations: Cost Reduction Initiatives Continuous Process Improvement Demand Planning & Forecasting Trend Analysis Quality Assurance Risk Analysis Reporting Inventory Management

Supply Chain: Procurement Inventory Management Contract Negotiations Change Order Process Strategic Sourcing Supplier Management Financial & Market Analysis Buying Groups Private Labels Commodities & Raw Materials Direct & Indirect Materials Hedging Analysis Forecasting Logistics & Freight Shipping & Warehousing Third Party Vendors Regulatory Compliance

Leadership: Project Management & Requirements Gathering Budget Management Cross-Functional Team Leadership Collaboration & Business Partnering Client Relations Customer Service Problem Solving Change Management Employee Development Business Development Brand Strategy Written & Oral Communications Team Building Strategic Planning

Industry Experience: Foodservice Chemicals Building Materials Oil & Gas Manufacturing Technology Pharmaceuticals Financial & Business Information

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

UniPro Foodservice, Atlanta, GA 2017–11/2020

Food service distribution company providing training, purchasing, and marketing for 650 independent member companies that provide products to > 800K food service customers.

Commodity Trade Manager, Center-of-the-Plate (COP)

Optimized cost of goods for customers by analyzing market conditions, identifying deals and forward buys, and creating strategic buying opportunities. Supported members by negotiating spot buys among key packers (Tyson, National Beef, JBS Swift, Cargill and others), and providing analytics, forecasting, and reporting. Assisted COP executives by developing and delivering conference presentations. Calculated and published USDA Boxed Beef/Fresh Pork Market Close Reports. Developed titled sales and private brands weekly/monthly tonnage/revenue reports for UniPro’s senior leadership team.

Created and managed three regional buying groups, enabling members to meet weight requirements.

Furthered business development efforts by meeting with prospects and onboarding new members.

Grew revenues $514K by launching two COP private beef brands in 2020. Developed brand strategy to increase market share for boxed beef title sales. Converted existing program members to private labels and worked with suppliers.

Exceeded $245K in 2018 for solicitation and collection of supplier pool allowances (SPA) during UniPro’s seasonal promotional events. Worked with suppliers to develop in-demand promotions for members.

Established thought leadership by presenting to member participants at UniPro’s 2019 COP Symposium.

Arclin Inc., Roswell, GA 2015–2017

Chemical manufacturer and provider of building materials and construction resins with 600+ employees.

Senior Buyer / Procurement Analyst

Initially hired as procurement analyst to monitor price for resins. Quickly promoted to Senior Buyer reporting to VP Procurement, and managed, sourced, purchased, and negotiated company’s top five major chemicals by spend. Generated raw material forecasts, annual budget plans, and bi-weekly market commentary for executive management. Monitored and evaluated commodity market activities and calculated monthly price changes based on published indices. Remained current on trends and sourced suppliers by attending conferences on behalf of company.

Reduced costs by establishing supplier pricing, terms, quality, and delivery expectations.

Optimized $220M of annual spend for spot and contract purchases for raw materials, including methanol, phenol, urea, melamine, and caustic soda.

Achieved $550M in cost savings within nine months by sourcing new and alternative suppliers and encouraging competitive pricing through multiple bids.

Superior Plus Energy Services (DBA Griffith Energy), Rochester, NY 2012–2015

Publicly traded supplier of diesel fuel, unleaded gasoline, fuel oil, and propane with $1.5B in revenues.

Pricing analyst / S&OP / Supply Coordinator

Managed propane inventory and distribution. Performed financial analysis and risk assessments. Developed supply chain forecasts. Settled hedged contract positions in NYMEX Heating Oil (HO) and RBOB Gasoline (RB) Futures at close of trading. Attended International Propane Expo and NPGA Southeastern Convention.

Enabled sound decision-making for executive management team by providing market insights. Collaborated with VP Supply Chain to develop optimal strategies for costs, pricing, risks, and outcomes.

Hedged against market volatility and provided hedge values and forecasts by buying and selling commodity futures (NYMEX HO and RBOB).

Maximized profits by creating pricing strategies and monitoring/hedging inventory, from pipeline to sale of distillates (unleaded gasoline, diesel fuel, fuel oil and jet fuel).

Streamlined transportation and logistics procedures by supplier and terminal. Docket used company-wide detailing supply point data, terminal and loading procedures to over 55 service points.

Eagle Productivity Solutions, Rochester, NY 2008–2011

Professional services firm with $10M in revenues, providing technology training for the pharmaceutical industry.

Project Financial Contracts Manager

Provided executive-level analytical and contract management support for custom training programs. Tracked, evaluated deliverables, and validated contracts, change requests, and purchase orders. Communicated with clients and internal stakeholders to verify accuracy of contract terms. Created invoices, reports, and RFPs. Updated and renewed master service agreements (MSAs) with suppliers.

Provided exemplary customer service in contract-related issues for key global clients, including Astra-Zeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer, and Bayer Pharmaceuticals.

Saved 3% annually, and $239K in 2008, by investigating out-of-scope deliverables, and formalizing project management process for change orders and contract addendums.

Nukote International Inc., Rochester, NY Macau & Zhu Hai, China 2007–2008

Manufacturer of laser toner and inkjet products with $20M in sales; company shut down in 2009.

Commodities Market Analyst / Raw Materials Broker

Oversaw team of three in sales and global procurement for used inkjet and laser toner cartridges. Managed $8M in empties inventory and brokered sell-off transactions. Developed formal processes/structure for department.

Attained $100K in cost savings by identifying waste and eliminating payment for damaged cartridges. Established reporting and reconciliation process, saving 15% on every container order.

Reduced freight costs and travel time by sourcing new vendors and maintaining long-term partnerships. Secured competitive pricing, diversified supplier portfolio, and optimized mix of vendors.

Thomson Reuters Corporation, London, England 2005–2007

Publicly held provider of financial and business information to decision-makers, with $5.9B in revenues.

Financial Executive – EMEA

Furthered knowledge of financial instruments, commodities, and futures, and provided training and software support for clients globally. Collaborated with internal departments to gather and validate data and resolve complex service issues. Assisted sales teams by providing on-site support and product demonstrations.

Obtained high customer satisfaction ratings in quality, productivity, and timeliness of service. Gained recognition from senior management team for surpassing service goals.

Received 3000 Xtra and various global certifications by completing comprehensive training and testing.

EARLY CAREER

Market Data Support Specialist – Americas, Thomson Reuters Corporation, Chicago, IL

Trained customers in use of software products, including Excel add-ins, charting, and using historical data. Fielded questions and solved customer problems via telephone and email.

Registered Commodity Representative, Packers Trading Company / Chicago Mercantile Exchange, Chicago, IL

Held Series 3 license in futures trading for cattle, feeder cattle, live hogs, lean hogs, and pork bellies. Conducted trading for grains including corn, wheat, soybeans, and soybean meal.

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Department of Arts & Letters, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

North American Meat Institute, Texas A&M University: Center-of-the-Plate (COP) Training

Institute of Supply Management (ISM) - Procurement & Supply Management Fundamentals, Financial Acumen 101, Navigating the Contract, RFX & Bid Analysis

Karrass - Effective Negotiating

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