KURTIS M PAASKE

Crystal Lake, IL *****

adlfvx@r.postjobfree.com 847-***-**** www.linkedin.com/in/kurtpaaske

CUSTOMER-FOCUSED SUPPLY CHAIN ANALYST

Inventory Management Supply Chain Operations Customer Service

Demand Forecasting Brand Management Team Building

Innovative troubleshooter who looks at the whole picture before jumping into a solution.

Acts as a liaison and pulls in all team members to develop the best solution for all stakeholders by reviewing forecasts, sales, supplied lead times, transportation, margins, and in stock goals while keeping customer as the “Center” of the solution.

Develop broad relationships with all customers, Internal and External customers are key to results being delivered.

Build relationships with Top Tool Manufactures and logistics to bring merchandise to market in timely manner.

Keeping focus on Margins and ROI for the Company.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

SEARS HOLDING CORPORATION, Hoffman Estates, IL

Demand Planner-Inventory Manager: (June 2003 to October2020)

Tools, Lawn & Garden, Household Goods, Home Fashions:

Forecasted Craftsman branded and other brand products, supporting sales of $750m+/annually, in 650+ retail formats, while supporting industrial and international markets. Inventory Replenished and supported in 20 Warehouse locations supported from Domestic and Import manufactures.

-Achieved in-stock average 97% while managing inventory reduction programs through assistance of the team. Thinned out unproductive inventory to improve ROI.

-Reduced Liability/Aged inventory by (-21%), controlled forecasting by the team

-Implemented Directed to Warehouse containers on large bulk Items: Reduced Importing and logistics cost of new inventory. Average shipping savings of 5%-7%: reduced multiple handling expense, Improved time to market, and decreased damage to cartons reducing item markdowns.

-Forecasted / Managed 5000+ items in owned assortment.

-Developed Sales forecasts: Item level by week, up to 52 weeks, developing Demand purchase forecast from Vendors.

-Managed financials: including Gross margin, Sales, Markdowns, Vendor Allowances, and Inventory at Cost to forecast and measure Daily, Weekly, Monthly and Year to Date performance. Communicated weekly with team and management on performance to forecast on both financials and item performance to forecast.

-Managed Markdowns by item to control and sell off Inactive and Aged inventory improving Open to Buy.

-Developed item flow strategy with Vendors and Supply Chain to best manage inbound of inventory to maintain and improve shipping expense.

-Teamed up with Merchant teams to develop, support, and execute sales strategies: Seasonal, Monthly, Weekly.

-Developed with Logistics, seasonal flow plans for weekly Trailer Demands, to ship merchandise into 15 warehouse locations. Utilized 400+ trailers weekly, delivering select merchandise lines during pre-season and peak season. Updates made weekly as demand changed and weather impacted sales results in parts of the country.

Inventory Manager, Launch of Craftsman Tools to External Customers (2008-2010):

Achieved in-stock average of 93%while managing new inventory and replenishment of Craftsman products valued at $11m within new 3rd party warehouse that supported 100% growth in Ace Hardware sales in 1 year time frame.

-Organizing of a new team, built new Inventory support Program to fully support Launch of Craftsman Tools to External Retails and Distributors.

-Forecasted and Delivered 700+ items to new External Customers (Ace, Costco, Grainger, Menards, etc.)

-Implemented project managing flow of product as Vendor Direct to customer, reducing internal expenses and enhanced product category margins.

Inventory Analyst, Household Goods/ Home Fashions (2000-2003):

-Replenished Inventory to 850+ locations.

-Worked directly with buying teams and Inventory Planning Manager forecasting replenishment.

-Supported multiple products types: Christmas department, Luggage, and Textiles. Part of new program launches within Sears Retail- Mattress Rollout and Closet/Organization Shop.

Retail Sales Manager, Sears Holding, Greater Chicago Area (1998-2000)

Retail Sales Assistant Manager, Sears Holding, Greater Chicago Area (1995-1998)

Retail Sales Associate, Sears Holding, Greater Chicago Area (1989-1995)

Skills/System:

Excel / Word / PowerPoint

JDA

Sears Internal Systems, new and old

EDUCATION:

Associates of Applied Science (AAS)

Criminal Justice

Elgin Community College, Elgin, IL

REFERENCES:

-Kim Schafer, VP GMM Hardlines, Sears Holding / Transformco

o847-754-0553

-Jill Lowe, VP Retail National Accounts, Apex Tool Group LLC

o630-406-6182

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