Seasoned Procurement Professional

JAMES M. DANFORTH

*** ************ **** • Aurora, IL 60502

Phone: 630-***-**** • Email: ********@*****.***

SUMMARY

Seasoned professional with experience in procurement and customer service. Proven track record in cost reduction, negotiation of contracts, supplier development, project management, contract administration & management, on-shore & off-shore support services, supply chain management, relationship building, and problem solving.

EXPERIENCE

Exelon Corporation – Chicago, IL July 2010 – February 2011

Senior Category Manager – Software; Supply & IT Telecom (Contractor)

• Responsible for developing, maintaining, and accounting for software and related professional services category savings, diversity targets, and supplier performance measurements

• Communicated to Supply & Exelon executive stakeholders to insure appropriate levels of information flow when managing key supplier relationships

• Drove TCO initiatives, developed and presented business case justifications, & implemented appropriate KPI’s and manage supplier initiatives to insure satisfactory supplier performance

• Utilized MAP (Manage Acquisition Process) along with the use of e-sourcing tools to manage RFI’s & RFP’s, respectively

• Worked cross-functionality with Supply Category Managers, legal counsel along, with internal and external personnel to achieve objectives as it relates to software category spend

Philips Lighting – Rosemont, IL November 2007 – July 2010

IT Sourcing Providing Manager

• Provided strategic direction and support in developing procedures for implementing asset management initiatives, service level agreement governance, off-shore service models, and identifies cost savings opportunities

• Analyzed, discussed, and resolved issues by managing expectations between senior level management stakeholders and internal & external IT application and infrastructure solution suppliers

• Quarterly reviews and recommended cost cutting adjustments with Philips Lighting, North America Controller to support IT Sector AOP budget requirements

• Managed monthly reports and quarterly reviews of external outsourced suppliers on and offsite that supported service demand initiatives

• Reviewed and approved all IT infrastructure, application, & consulting contractual requirements and purchases for all Philips North America business units on behalf of Philips Lighting CIO & Vice-President

• Supported cross functional purchasing efforts that support regional & global IT supply chain/purchasing initiatives

• Developed and facilitated processes, & procedures that oversaw the implementation of RFP’s & RFI’s, and manage suppliers through world-class supply chain & procurement practices

• Responsible for supplier management along, with purchases of hardware, software, and third-party professional consulting services which resulted in over $4.7 million of cost savings

• Managed three on and offsite direct reports

Acxiom Corporation – Downers Grove, IL February 2006 – Sept 2007

Enterprise Technology Acquisition Specialist

• Responsible for purchases of server hardware and related professional services which resulted in $320,00 of cost savings

• Provided direction and support in developing and implementing asset management, capacity planning, pricing, and cost models

• Participated in equipment bidding, cost analysis, product analysis, and purchasing

• Arranged for vendor presentations and product updates

• Served as a liaison between vendors and Acxiom to ensure service of purchased IT products & infrastructure services

• Assisted in equipment re-deployment and equipment distribution to internal stakeholders

Independent Contractor – Bolingbrook, IL January 2005 – February 2006

Real Estate & Event Management Consulting Services

• Developed & managed RFP submissions for hotel & event management services

• Negotiated & executed contractual agreements with hotels & event management services

• Licensed Real Estate Agent for the State of Illinois

YMCA of the USA – Chicago, IL April 2004 – November 2004

Strategic Sourcing, Commodity Manager

• Responsible for $3.3 million purchase of computer software, hardware, office services, & telecommunication related products and services which has resulted in $282,000 of cost savings

• Developed cross-functional commodity strategies, processes & procedure improvements, RFx’s, negotiates, and manages associated supplier contracts through world-class supply chain & asset management practices

• Analyzed, discussed, and resolved issues by negotiating solutions & using change management skill sets between suppliers and senior level internal partners

• Negotiated for standard and enterprise contractual agreements for Y-USA and its local membership associations when applicable

RR Donnelley – Downers Grove, IL September 2003 – March 2004

IT Strategic Sourcing Leader, Supply Chain

• Responsible for $120 million purchase of computer software, hardware, & telecommunication related products and services which has resulted in $522,000 of cost savings

• Developed cross-functional strategic sourcing plans, process improvement methodology, RFx’s, negotiated, and managed associated supplier contracts through world-class supply chain & asset management practices

• Collaboratively developed and implemented strategic supplier scorecards with manufacturing & corporate functions

• Supported regional supply chain sourcing leaders that support regional & local supply chain initiatives

• Analyzed, discussed, and resolved issues by negotiating solutions & using change management skill sets between suppliers and senior level internal partners

• Understand and monitored supplier TCO deliverables, market conditions & communicated changes in supplier operations

• Supported supplier development of preferred & Minority & Women owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) suppliers by measuring performance and assisted with continuous improvement

Abbott Laboratories – Abbott Park, IL November 2001 – July 2003

Purchasing Agent, Administrative Services

• Responsible for $342 million dollar purchase of computer software & hardware products, B2B technology, and web hosting services which resulted in $4.63 million dollars of cost savings

• Team leader for managing administrative service purchases with diverse suppliers

• Purchasing Team leader for negotiation of enterprise licensing & maintenance agreements for all divisions

• Signature authority for purchases up to $200,000

• Developed & facilitated RFP’s & RFI ‘s for strategic corporate initiatives

• Managed four direct-reports of administrative assistants & on-site supplier customer service representatives

Prevost Car Inc., Division of Volvo Bus North America – Elgin, IL August 2000 – November 2001

Commodity Purchasing Manager, Drivetrain Production & Aftermarket

• Responsible for $32 million purchase of Production & Drivetrain Aftermarket components

• Exceeded 2001Economic target with cost reductions of over $1.2 million

• Managed six direct-reports and supervised cross-functional teams to train and foster positive working relationships to improve sourcing & ISO audit procedures

• Analyzed and negotiated contracts with supply chain utilizing target costing, material forecasting, inventory management, & e-procurement strategies to meet acceptable gross margin requirements and timely deliveries of Production & Aftermarket parts to business units and government bid contracts

• Team leader for development of Supplier Diversity program initiatives

• Responded to quality and work issues and took corrective action measures as deemed appropriate

International Truck & Engine Corporation – Westchester, IL September 1998 – July 2000

Senior Corporate Buyer, Drive Train Aftermarket Purchasing

• Responsible for $120 million purchase of Production & Drivetrain Aftermarket components

• Met 1999 Economic Target that resulted in cost reductions of over $1.3 million

• Procured purchases of over $500,000 with diversified suppliers

• Assisted parts operations in meeting margin requirements by utilizing target costing and contract re-negotiations

Pontiac Board of Education – Pontiac, MI January 1998 – June 1998

Substitute Teacher

• Responsibilities included the carrying out daily lesson plans

• Facilitated intellectual classroom discussions on current events

• Maintained order in the classrooms

The O-J Group – Detroit, MI November 1990 – November 1997

Logistics Supervisor

• Responsibilities included acting as a liaison between the company and manufacturing clients

• Facilitated lines of communication between drivers and the production facilities to insure Just-In-Time movement and location of trailers

• Addressed concerns of the manufacturing clients in regards to materials flow and customer service.

• Provided proper documentation and input to the appropriate departments to ensure bids and deliveries were done in a timely manner

• Prepared logistics reports for damage control, inventory, and monitoring trailers

Purchasing Administrator

• Developed and implemented purchasing procedures

• Responsible for the negotiation of Procurement contracts and managed purchasing activities

• Controlled cash advancements for truck driving expenditures

• Provided VP of Finance with monthly purchasing account analysis and special accounting reports

EDUCATION

Alabama A&M University, Bachelor of Science (Business Management) May 1990

TRAINING AND CERTIFICATIONS

• Karrass Negotiations

• ICN software Negotiations

• Perfect Commerce

• Supplier Diversity

• QS-9000

• ISO-9002

• Fundamentals of Purchasing

• Six-Sigma

• McKinsey Training

• Fraud & Ethics for the Finance Professional

• Change Management

• All applications in Microsoft Office 2007, SAP, MRP, & IMS applications

MEMBERSHIPS AND AWARDS

• Vice-president of Delta Mu Delta

• Who’s Who Among U.S. College Students

• Dean’s List

• Vice-president of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity

• Member of the National Minority Business Council

• Member of ICN (International Computer Negotiations)

• Member of National Association of Realtors

PROFESSIONAL REFERENCES

Available Upon Request

Contact this candidate