Ronald Huston

**** ***** **** ****

Brighton, Mi 48114

Email:wk5ogh@r.postjobfree.com

Home: 810-***-****

Cell : 810-***-****

SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT

Purchasing / Distribution Operations / Logistics

Results-oriented leader with a career demonstrating innovative leadership, expertise, and distinguished performance in supply chains management. Recognized accomplishments in establishing supply chain as a marketable asset for winning and maintaining customers. A driver of continuous improvement (Lean, Six Sigma) and a creative problem-solver with the ability to motivate organizations with a passion and commitment to achieve objectives. Areas of expertise include:

• Materials Management

• Global Purchasing

• P&L Management

• Cost Reduction

• Systems Implementation

• Distribution Center Management

• Multi-site Operational Management

• Start up, Turnaround and Shutdowns

• Transportation and Fleet Operations

Professional Experience

VISTEON CORP., Van Buren Twp., MI., a $20 billion Tier 1 global automotive parts manufacturer (formerly Ford).

Distribution Operations Senior Manager (2002-2009)

Distribution Operations Manager (2000-2002)

Supply chain responsibility for the $700 million aftermarket and service business including logistics, transportation, purchasing and strategy sourcing for multiple distribution operations (UAW, 3rd party, subsidiary), for over 1 million square feet of warehousing, $122 million of global inventory, $23 million operating budget, and 300+ employees.

• Eliminated existing legacy distribution operations via consolidation, saving over $12 million over 5 years.

• Developed and executed a lean centralized distribution/logistics strategy delivering Best-In-Class turnaround times for order to ship, air, and LTL order to delivery—directly leading to distribution/supply chain management business wins with Nissan, Saturn and Ford ($50 million to date).

• Designed and successfully launched 500 thousand square foot service parts center. This project involved installation of a new Warehouse Management System (WMS), coordination of materials, systems, people, and processes as several sites were consolidated. This was completed on time, $2 million under budget (8 month payback), and immediately improving customer satisfaction by 10% (measured by customer order fill and on-time delivery).

• Achieved over $5 million in initiative cost savings using Lean and Six Sigma techniques to targeted waste reduction and increase efficiency while providing better fill rates and on time delivery to the customer base.

• Assisted in the operational execution and conversion of business from legacy ERP systems to SAP, directing full-scale prove-out and launch of SAP for supply chain, purchasing, and distribution operations.

• Established a strong, well-respected, fully integrated organization that is recognized by internal and external customers.

• Spearheaded the development of new program logistics and key performance indicators resulting in significant reduction of launch timetables and moving the entire organization toward the desired flawless launch objectives.

DIVERSEYLEVER Corporation, Livonia, MI., Industrial and Institutional global chemical business unit of Unilever

Global Manager of Logistics (1997-2000)

North American Manager of Logistics (1994-1997)

Fiscal responsibility for all global logistics activities including transportation, purchasing, contracts, and materials management as well as global warehousing, inventory control and nationwide company fleet operations.

• Developed and executed North American lean logistics strategy involving six business divisions of the company, requiring the closure of several plants, elimination of 23 warehouses, and relocation of key distribution centers to better serve the customer base. Resulting improvements included: reduction in logistics costs as net percent of sales from 9.6% to 6.7% (a sustained annual savings of more than $3m) and improved customer service levels from 92% to better than 96%.

• Implemented “core carrier” strategy for inbound and outbound shipments, resulting in an additional annual savings of $1.5m in customer direct freight costs, stabilized expenses for over two years.

• Redesigned and implemented a supply chain network responsible for supplying chemicals and machines to the cruise ship lines at ports all over the world, resulting in annual savings of $1m and a 20% improvement in on time delivery.

• Responsible for integrating Supply Chain operations, personnel and ERP, DRP, WMS and TMS systems including production scheduling, purchasing, logistics, warehousing, and private fleets for numerous acquisitions.

GILBERT PAPER Co., Fine Paper division of Mead Paper Co., Menasha, WI.

Manager of National Distribution and Purchasing (1992-1994)

Distribution Manager (1989-1992)

Directed 50 person operation, $8 million operating budget, with responsibility for all supply chain activities for the plant and separate distribution center including all purchase activities, supplier release and follow-up, inventory management, warehousing, transportation, and logistics.

• Designed and installed central distribution system utilizing RF and barcode technology, resulting in improved inventory and shipment accuracy (99%), while reducing distribution costs by 30%. This system was used as the basis for a University of Wisconsin logistics seminar and was designed to directly interface with any material resource planning (MRP) system.

• Participated in a variety of projects to streamline material handling in manufacturing, improve inventory control for raw materials, implement personnel review procedures, and improve order cycle time from one day to hours including export documentation requirements.

• Negotiated all raw material contracts and developed a Just In Time (JIT) strategy with a resulting inventory carrying cost reduction in excess of 1 million dollars while almost totally eliminating rail demurrage costs.

FORT HOWARD PAPER CO., Green Bay, WI

Corporate Transportation Manager (1984-1989)

Responsibility for $55 million distribution functions involving three high volume paper mills dependent on daily inbound raw material movement.

• Installed a complete Transportation Management System (TMS) utilizing linear modeling techniques to optimize 500+ LTL and TL daily shipments at three paper mills, resulting in annual savings of $5m.

• Negotiated carrier-pricing reductions of $4m annually, reducing the number of carriers and maintaining those rates for three years.

• Reduced sales automotive fleet expenses by $500k/year through modification of company policy and re-negotiation of contracts and resale values.

GEO A. HORMEL & CO., Austin, MN

Supervisor of Motor Carrier Services (1981-1984)

Coordinator of Rail & Special Operations (1979-1981)

Transportation Supervisor – Austin Plant (1977-1979)

Managed the entire transportation organization for 8 plants and 11 distribution facilities including carrier selection, service metrics, and specialized requirements. Utilized rail, refrigerated units, tank cars, flat beds, barges, airfreight, containers, and heavy haul equipment.

• Implemented alternative material handling, methods resulting in $1.5m savings/year in pallet costs and required working with a material-handling innovator to design the proper forklift attachment.

• Established policies and procedures relating to all phases of distribution at all plants and company distribution facilities both in North America and abroad.

• Negotiated carrier contracts for both TL and heavy equipment shipments resulting in annual savings of $2m and increasing the profitability of one division by 5%.

• Reduced rail car leasing expenses by 23% through better utilization of 50+ rail car fleet and working with rail carriers to increase their efficiency and revenue sharing.

Education/ Professional Development/ Military

BA in Business Administration/Logistics, GPA 3.69/4.0, Michigan State University, East Lansing

Associates in Business Administration, GPA 3.8/4.0, St. Clair County Community College, Port Huron

International Executive Leadership training at the IESE Business School, University of Navarra, Barcelona, Spain

Member of the Council of Supply Chain Management , speaker at Global Automotive Logistics conferences and Wisconsin Council of Purchasing Managers, Chairman of the Wisconsin Paper Distribution Council (1990-1994), and presenter at several University of Wisconsin seminars.

U.S. Marine Corp. Involved in the launch of a computerized replenishment program to supply the requirements of two divisions. Received citation for duties performed during a typhoon. Honorably Discharged.

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