Supply Chain Strategic Sourcing

CARLAS SMITH

E-Mail: ******.*****@*****.***

(C): 501-***-****

1

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE

Results-driven procurement and supply chain leader with over 30 years of experience delivering $10M+ in cost savings through strategic sourcing, process optimization, and contract negotiations. Achieved $500K annual savings in office supplies and services and improved efficiency by 20% through ERP system integrations (SAP, Ariba, Jenzabar, Agresso). Skilled in managing multi-million-dollar government contracts with FAR/DFAR compliance and boosting supplier diversity by 15%. Proven ability to lead projects, enhance vendor relationships, and drive operational excellence through data-driven decision-making and collaboration. WORK HISTORY

Night Auditor, 9/2019 to Current

Residence Inn Marriott – Little Rock, AR

• Effectively managed financial transactions, maintaining accurate records of cash, check, and credit transactions totaling $50K+ daily, ensuring zero discrepancies during audits. Handled confidential guest information with 100% compliance to privacy standards, demonstrating a high degree of integrity and discretion. Resolved guest complaints, issues, and requests with a 95% satisfaction rate, proactively addressing concerns or escalating them to the appropriate representative when necessary.

• Frequently assumed managerial responsibilities in the absence of supervisors, making critical decisions to maintain smooth operations.

• Consistently adhered to company safety and security protocols, contributing to a 100% compliance record during safety audits. Proactively identified and recommended changes in operations and financial activities, driving improvements in service quality and cost management. Procurement Manager, 7/2017 to Current

Heifer Project International - Little Rock, AR

● Successfully developed and coordinated the implementation of the Agresso Procurement module, training over 100 employees across multiple departments, resulting in a 30% improvement in system adoption and procurement efficiency. Updated and managed procurement policies and procedures to ensure alignment with donor and government regulations, achieving full compliance during audits. Maintained strong relationships with internal stakeholders and external suppliers, including managing a portfolio of key supplier contracts valued at $10M annually.

● Led the development and execution of comprehensive RFx processes, negotiating supplier contracts that delivered 10-15% cost savings per category. Facilitated effective communication with suppliers, contractors, and internal teams on purchase orders and requests for proposals, ensuring transparency and timeliness. Supported country office procurement committees by providing competitive quotes and conducting detailed RFP and RFI evaluations, enhancing procurement outcomes by 20%.

Director of Purchasing & Inventory 5/2016 to 7/2017 Pulaski Technical College - North Little Rock, AR

• Directed a team of four specialists supporting procurement operations across five locations in Pulaski and Saline County, ensuring seamless coordination and achieving a 15% reduction in procurement cycle times. Spearheaded the competitive procurement of commodities and services, managing RFx scenarios and negotiating supplier contracts exceeding $50K, which delivered 10-12% cost savings per agreement. Maintained and optimized the inventory of capital assets valued at over $2M, ensuring accurate tracking and utilization.

• Developed and managed key supplier relationships, resulting in a 20% improvement in supplier performance through structured evaluation and engagement strategies. Oversaw campus travel and entertainment, implementing streamlined processes that saved $30K annually while ensuring policy compliance. Trained over 20 full- and part- time staff on procurement processes, fostering consistent adherence to State of Arkansas Procurement Guidelines and enhancing team efficiency.

• Led the development, testing, and implementation of the Jenzabar financial system, successfully deploying it across all Pulaski Tech locations and improving financial reporting accuracy by 25%, while supporting operational efficiency enhancements throughout the institution. CARLAS SMITH

E-Mail: ******.*****@*****.***

(C): 501-***-****

2

Purchasing Agent 11/2014 to 05/2016

Tokusen USA, INC. - Conway, AR

Supported procurement operations for two manufacturing plants, overseeing sourcing and purchasing services that ensured uninterrupted production of wire products. Developed an insurance tracking tool to monitor supplier certifications, enhancing compliance and reducing risk. Conducted weekly inventory of raw materials critical to wire manufacturing, maintaining optimal stock levels and minimizing production delays. Managed the procurement of maintenance repair parts and services for production operations, achieving 10% cost savings through strategic vendor negotiations. Oversaw the maintenance of a six-vehicle fleet, ensuring timely service and minimizing downtime. Spearheaded the implementation of a bar code scanner system for stockroom rotation, improving inventory accuracy by 20%. Directed the global procurement of capital equipment, goods, services, warehousing, and transportation, managing a total spend of $8 million and delivering measurable efficiencies across the supply chain. Purchasing Agent 01/2013 to 11/2014

Adams and Associates, LLC. Little Rock, AR

Directed all purchasing functions for a short-term learning and living facility, managing annual purchases exceeding

$1 million in compliance with Department of Labor (DOL) guidelines. Negotiated supplier agreements and subcontracts, achieving 10-15% cost savings through strategic vendor negotiations. Led cross-departmental triangle meetings with Finance, Property, and Purchasing to align procurement goals. Supervised a team of three analysts, providing training and evaluations to enhance performance. Developed and executed RFQ and RFI documents to streamline vendor selection processes. Monitored vendor updates and payables using MAS200, ensuring 100% compliance with procurement policies. Analyzed and reported spend with small and disadvantaged businesses, contributing to a 20% increase in supplier diversity. Sourcing Specialist/Supplier Diversity Manager 08/1992 to 03/2011 Verizon Communication / ALLTEL Communications, Little Rock, AR Managed sourcing and procurement processes for corporate services, network system maintenance, and IT software, successfully conducting over 200 RFx processes and awarding 90 contracts to federal, state, and commercial agencies, including DOJ, USDA, and DHS. Directed supplier diversity initiatives, increasing indirect spend by 3% within two years and building partnerships with Fortune 500 companies like Walmart, Tyson, Coca-Cola, and Motorola to drive small and disadvantaged business growth in Arkansas. Implemented and managed Supplier Diversity and Tier Two programs, analyzing and reporting diversity spend to federal and state agencies, NAACP, and chambers of commerce. Coordinated small business seminars and supplier conferences, fostering relationships with prime suppliers. Supported contract management processes via Ariba, JDEdwards, SAP, and Oracle, creating detailed financial and purchasing reports to ensure 100% compliance with corporate standards.

Monitored vendor performance metrics and service-level agreements, ensuring timely delivery and proper billing while maintaining strong vendor relationships. Delivered weekly status updates to management and spearheaded cross- functional collaboration to resolve procurement issues, contributing to a 10% improvement in operational efficiency. EDUCATION SKILLS

MBA: Gaming Management – 2024 -University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff

Adaptive, Dependable, Customer Service,

Procurement, Buying, Purchasing, Process

improvements

AAS: Paralegal Certification 2023 – Pulaski Technical College

Statement of Work, Subcontracts, Proposals,

BBA: Business Administration 2006 -University of Arkansas at Little Rock

Ariba, JDE/Peoplesoft,/SAP, Jenzabar, Agresso,

Trainer,

CPP: Certified Purchasing Professional - American

Purchasing Society 2014

Proactive, Self-Motivated, Data Analysis, Purchase Orders, Order Processing, Order Entry, Problem

Solver.

CIPM: Certified International Procurement Manager - 2023

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