MARK E. CASE
**** ********* **** ***# * – Middleton, WI 53562 **********@***.*** 608-***-****
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS- SUPPLY CHAIN ANALYST
COVER LETTER- I/T PROCUREMENT SPECIALISTS
For the last 28 years I have been focusing on improving my problem-solving and buying skills. I am looking for an organization that needs someone to help focus on the details and improve operations and profitability. You get three different people when you hire me, they are: 1) Seasoned Negotiator, 2) E-Commerce Buyer 3) Proven Problem Solver.
Let’s discuss how I can put this experience to work for you.
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY & SELECTED ACHIEVEMENTS
SPRINGS WINDOW FASHIONS, Middleton, Wisconsin 3/2022 – 11/2024
United States Largest Manufacturer of Blinds and Drapery
I/T PROCUREMENT SPECIALIST
•Create all purchase orders for everything IT for this company of over 7,000 people. Buying and negotiating everything from hardware, contingent labor, and software; soliciting quotes and proposals.
•Works closely with AP and our finance team to keep vendors paid accurately and on time.
•Loads any contracts into our IT Legal Data Base for storage and build our library on past deals and purchases.
•Maintain spreadsheets for and aide with budgeting for IT.
SUPPLY PLANNER, Middleton, Wisconsin 8/2021 – 3/2022
•Responsible for planning and purchasing goods in both our BUY PARTS and MAKE PARTS department.
•Ordering, purchasing, and confirming and handling logistics to get materials delivered when they are needed.
•Accountable for keeping drapery hardware in stock to optimum levels, making sure chemicals, paint and resins are never out, maintaining all inventory to planned levels.
WISCONSIN PHYSICIANS’ SERVICES, Madison, Wisconsin 3/2017 to 7/2021
Insurance Company- Focused on Government Customer Service Claims for Customer Service
I/ T PROCUREMENT BUYER
•Accountable of all I/S purchase orders, including hardware, software, and services as we look to build a new Procurement Department. Helping to develop processes and negotiate savings for this diverse company. Running RFP and RFQ projects on a diverse number of categories. Working closely with accounting and finance to take purchases from requisitions, to purchase orders, to payments and looking for ways to save money in the process.
•2018 Performance Review- With 3 other buyers I wrote 44% of the purchase orders, 73% of the purchase dollars spent, and saved over $1 million dollars in procurements. 1 of only 8 employees to earn an outstanding review.
AMERICAN FAMILY INSURANCE, Madison, Wisconsin 1/12/2015 to 3/2017
National Insurance Company
I/T SOURCING BUYER
Purchase order management, RFP development, spend reporting, and sourcing project support for one of the largest Insurance Companies in the U.S. in the IT Department.
Data base and contract management entry and maintenance as required.
Purchase order tracking for timely delivery of needed products.
Placing approved purchase orders in our corporate database.
LAMPSUSA.COM, Watertown, Wisconsin; 10/2006 to 10/31/2014
E-Commerce Lighting, Lamps, Furniture and Home Décor Internet Retailer
E-COMMERCE BUYER
Designed, sourced, and developed products to take advantage of current and emerging trends to build new opportunities for sales.
Established efficient purchase strategies for both stocked and drop ship programs for over 10,000 sku#s for five websites, they are: LampsUSA.com, Clocks247.com, LampDeals.com, Popupdesktop.com and HomeConcept.com.
Responsible for vendor selection, IMAP compliance, marketing programs (including Social Media), resolution of customer service issues with a vendor base of over 70 manufacturers and distributors.
K’S MERCHANDISE MART, Decatur, Illinois; 8/2005 to 4/2006
Regional Department Store Chain
CLOSEOUT BUYER
• Accountable for building additional profits and driving incremental traffic and sales by finding and negotiating purchase agreements on hot deals from many of the countries’ largest manufacturers and distributors in products ranging from soft goods to plasma televisions.
STERLING JEWELERS, INC; Akron, Ohio: 09/2004 to 05/2005
National Jewelry Store Chain with over 1,200 locations
JAPANESE WATCH BUYER
•Charged with sales and profits for all Japanese watch Brands and Accessories for the World’s largest jewelry chain with sales more than $45 million.
•Responsible for assortment planning and creating multi-media advertising to drive this growing category for this jewelry mega-chain
JB3 OUTDOORS, LLC; Muskegon, Michigan/Sacramento, California; 10/2002 to 5/2004 Outdoor Specialty Retailer carrying Outdoor Footwear, Apparel, and Hard goods
SENIOR BUYER
•Designed and implemented outdoor warehouse theme for this store with emphasis on brand and focus on value enhancement and price.
•Established merchandising plans and opened over 150 vendor accounts starting new retail concept.
QUALITY STORES, INC., Muskegon, Michigan; 08/96 to 01/02
General Merchandise Specialty Retailer, Footwear, Clothing, Hard-wear, and Agricultural Products
MULTIPLE CATEGORY MERCHANT
Seasonal Decor, Gifts, Sporting Goods, and Off-Price Goods; 02/98 to 01/02
•Produced profitable assortments for both catalog and the Internet with $50 million annual direct retail sales responsibility: $25 million seasonal goods, toys and gifts and $25 million in sporting goods and closeout sales
•Consolidated and produced additional profitable assortments during major merger, including new footwear program, increasing sales by 25% the first year in sales and over 10% in additional profit.
•During tenure as a Buyer was also responsible for purchasing footwear, work wear, denim, accessories, and casual clothing for men and women, toys, sporting goods and seasonal décor and gift.
INVENTORY REBUYER
Work Wear, Footwear, Men’s / Women’s Casual Apparel and Denim; 08/96 to 02/98
•Achieved continually better liquidation by implementing better flow through processes with our distribution center and key manufacturers and improved sales and profits by timely replenishment of goods
FOOT LOCKER WORLDWIDE, various divisions and locations; 03/85 to 06/96
Parent company Foot Locker Inc. / The Venator Group; America’s largest Athletic Specialty Retailer
SENIOR SPECIAL PROJECTS COORDINATOR, CHAMPS SPORTS, Bradenton, Florida; 06/93 to 06/96
•Determined inventory and assortments for over 200 new stores with an annual volume of over $260 million
•Supervised staff for international purchasing and inventory management for new stores, outlets, and stores in Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, St. Croix, Mexico, and Hawaii, consisting of Assistant Buyer and Executive
Secretary
STORE MANAGER/ASSISTANT MANAGER DEVELOPMENT AND RECRUITING; 03/85 to 01/91
Managed stores in two malls in Cincinnati, Ohio; the first one increased by over $350,000 in annual sales in and the second store grew to over $2 million dollars in sales.
Recruited, developed and trained 12 sales associates to Assistant Managers in one year. Winning special recognition and a company leadership award.
RELATED TRAINING
Quality Stores; Assets in Management; Valuing Diversity ● Muskegon Area; CEO Discovery Series
EDUCATION
Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan; Bachelor of Applied Arts Degree.
Commercial Art and Graphic Design emphasis with a business foundation. Graduated Cum Laude: 08/79 to 08/83