Tracy Frent (LaPratt)

adtik3@r.postjobfree.com • linkedin.com/in/tracyjolapratt • Lapeer, MI 48446 • 810-***-****

Purchasing Manager

Resourceful and accomplished professional with extensive experience streamlining supply chain processes, developing/implementing sourcing strategies, and collaborating with vendors aimed at achieving strategic corporate objectives. Leverage VA/VE practices to drive improvements across the entire supply chain with strong emphasis on reducing costs and increasing revenue. Recognized for coordinating departmental operation, executing continuous process enhancement procedures as well as identifying/resolving critical problems. Thrives in a deadline intensive environment, multi-task, perform under pressure and meet deadlines with excellent communication, problem solving, and time management abilities. Articulate communicator with excellent organizational skills.

Area of Expertise

Global Supply Chain Operations

Supplier Performance Management

Procurement Policies & Best Practices

New Market Research

Global Supply Chain Operations

Value Analysis/Value Engineering

Budget Control

Continuous Improvement

Team Leadership & Mentoring

Career Experience

Supply Chain and VA/VE Consultant, Gargoyle Computer Services – Lapeer, MI 2016 to Present

Leverage excellent communication and negotiation capabilities to secure high-quality commodities at cost-effective prices, ensuring budget compliance through strategic procurement activities. Develop and implement KPIs for suppliers that align with contracts and quality standards, developing contingency plans to address and mitigate performance issues. Formulate terms and conditions, purchase order structure, and letter of intent, in close collaboration with legal team. Ensure consistency and save additional costs by overseeing sourcing processes and supplier performance.

Built collaborative relations with international supplier base to ensure unhindered supply chain operations.

Introduced new sourcing opportunities using competitive techniques, such as TCO (Total Cost of Ownership).

Commodity Specialist, OPEX, Magneti Marelli Automotive Lighting – Auburn Hills, MI 2015 to 2016

Spearhead procurement activities to obtain high-quality commodities at cost-effective prices; managed total annual procurement spend of €1M+. Built and managed international supplier base. Monitored key performance indicators to ensure suppliers complied with contracts and quality standards; established contingency plans to address performance issues. Provided support during supplier negotiations. Spearheaded Value Analysis/Value Engineering (VA/VE) activities; defined efficiency goals related to direct material cost reduction to meet overall objectives.

Partnered with team in Pulaski, TN to develop solution that reduced transportation costs by $1.5M (10.6%) in 2016 through effective negotiation with carriers.

Integral member of commodity team tasked with implementing global commodity cost reduction initiatives, including negotiating and signing contract to reduce uniform costs by 8.3%.

Managed implementation of MRO NAFTA Strategy; negotiated contract for MRO components that saved 14.7% in both 2017 & 2018 and ensured company would pay less than last price for all components.

Reason for leaving Magneti Marelli: Project ended

Purchasing Manager, SKF, Armada, MI 2014 to 2015

Oversaw purchasing operations supporting plants in Michigan and South Carolina for this global bearing and seal manufacturer. Facilitated VA/VE workshops. Travelled extensively between locations to provide onsite program management and maintain relationships with team members.

Served as project manager for cost reduction programs and led teams in executing key initiatives that slashed costs by 7.5% at South Carolina plant.

Collaborated with engineering team to identify savings utilizing VA/VE resulting in $500K savings on mold design.

Reason for leaving SKF: Laid off (Purchasing restructuring due to SKF losing lawsuit)

Purchasing Manager, North America, Hutchinson FTS, Auburn Hills, MI 2012 to 2014

Managed purchasing of plastics (blow, injection, overmold), seals, hoses, and sleeves (heat shrink, plastic, foam) for four plants in the US and Mexico. Led and mentored team of five buyers and seven support associates in Mexico. Directed supplier base reduction efforts.

Quickly surpassed expectations and earned promotion from Commodity Manager to Purchasing Manager in only 90 days.

Reduced supplier base by 27% by replacing existing suppliers with companies able to provide additional value through engineering and development support.

Reason for leaving Hutchinson: Laid off (Position moved to Mexico)

Supply Chain Specialist, Danfoss, Baltimore, MD 2011 to 2012

Managed supply chain for plastics, hoses, seals, circuit boards, connectors, and other commodities. Supervised and supported teams at six plants in the US, China, India, and Mexico with a focus on cost reductions. Led supplier and internal VA/VE meetings.

Analyzed and implemented plan to control plant spend at all North American plants resulting in 13.3% cost reduction on implemented cost reduction programs.

Provided influential supply chain support on-site at plants in Europe, India, and China leading to improvements in standardization, cost reductions from bundling, negotiations, and regional hub for spare parts.

Reason for leaving Danfoss: Travel was conveyed as 70%. Once I was hired, travel was 100%. I am good with 70% travel. I do not want to travel 100% all of the time.

Purchasing Manager, ALTe, Auburn Hills, MI 2010 to 2011

Hired to establish entire purchasing department from scratch for this start-up hybrid-electric powertrain company. Formulated all policies, procedures, and job descriptions. Ensured purchasing aligned with budget established by board. Developed and implemented sourcing strategy and created all purchasing and contract documents, including Request for Quotation, (RFQ), Letter of Intent (LOI), Long-term Agreement (LTA), and Terms & Conditions (T&Cs).

Spearheaded creation of supplier selection and approval process for TS16949, Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), process audits, financial stability, Product Part Approval Process (PPAP), and Failure Mode & Effects Analysis (FMEA).

Elevated quality levels through introduction of clearly defined supplier performance rating system and internal auditing process; recruited VA/VE teams to monitor performance and drive continuous improvement.

Led hard-hitting negotiations to effectively manage all direct and indirect purchasing contracts, including motor and engineering supplier contracts.

Reason for leaving ALTe: ALTe was a hybrid / electric vehicle company. They lost funding.

Magna Powertrain, Troy, MI 2003 - 2010

Global Advanced Purchasing Team, Magna Powertrain, Troy, MI 2008 to 2010

Earned two promotions during 13-year tenure with this leading powertrain supplier serving the automotive industry. Selected as key participant in specialized group dedicated to sourcing new business for cutting-edge technologies. Handled sourcing and purchasing of actuators, solenoids, hybrid motors, forgings, castings, stampings, plastics, powdered metal, seals, bearings, fasteners, equipment, and other goods & commodities.

Initiated and led efforts to cut program expenses by $1.5M+.

Purchasing Manager, Global Axle Group, Magna Powertrain, Troy, MI 2005 to 2008

Conducted in-depth evaluations of new business opportunities, monitored program costs, and assessed potential suppliers for future business. Led supplier negotiations for North America, Europe, Asia, and South America, ensuring transparent communication between internal teams and high levels of efficiency.

Personally chosen as team leader for nine-month project in Mexico to lead plant and program purchasing for launch of three transfer case programs with annual spend of $350M.

Improved plant productivity and space utilization by working in conjunction with plant engineering and quality teams on equipment standardization project.

Prior experience includes Program Senior Buyer with Magna Powertrain and Purchasing Manager, Program/Indirect Senior Buyer, and Prototype Coordinator with American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.

Education

Professional Training

Negotiating Risk Analysis Leadership Team Building

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