Christa O'Connell
Summary
Dependable worker equipped for fast-paced work and changing daily needs. Serves customers effectively with attention to detail and hardworking approach. Seeks out opportunities to go beyond basics, improve processes and increase customer satisfaction. Proactive Purchasing Manager helping businesses meet fulfillment obligations through reliable vendor partnerships and streamlined ordering processes. Performs detailed research in supplier selection, sourcing and value assessment to form best overall strategy for long-term gain. Manages purchasing budget to determine feasibility of contracts and exceed savings goals.
Experienced procurement specialist skilled in vendor negotiations, inventory management, and cost analysis. Strong focus on team collaboration and achieving results, with flexible approach to changing needs. Known for strategic planning, market research, and ensuring timely delivery of quality products. Dependable and efficient in fast-paced environments.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Buyer - Shoes and Accessories
Hart
01.2025 - Current
- Negotiated contracts with suppliers to optimize pricing and terms.
- Managed inventory levels to ensure product availability and minimize excess stock.
- Analyzed market trends to identify new sourcing opportunities and enhance procurement strategies.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to align purchasing decisions with organizational goals.
- Developed and maintained supplier relationships, fostering communication and performance evaluation.
- Maintained complete documentation and records of all purchasing activities.
- Forecasted purchasing trends and improved merchandising strategies.
- Ensured timely delivery of products by closely monitoring vendor performance and addressing any issues promptly.
- Analyzed current vendors and products to stay abreast of market trends and evaluate new suppliers.
- Placed orders for merchandise consistent with quality, quantity and other specification requirements.
- Managed and maintained purchase orders and invoices.
- Studied and monitored market trends to identify potential suppliers.
Production Coordinator
Mark Edwards Ltd
12.2023 - 10.2024
- Provided hands-on support during peak production periods, assisting teams in meeting tight deadlines.
- Coordinated with production team to support productivity targets and deadline management.
- Monitored and tracked progress of all production tasks for on-time delivery.
- Coordinated communication between departments, fostering a collaborative work environment.
- Ensured timely delivery of projects by closely monitoring schedules and milestones.
- Oversaw quality control procedures throughout the production process to ensure consistent product outputs.
- Addressed potential bottlenecks proactively before they escalated into major issues impacting project timelines or budgets.
- Collaborated with marketing to understand market trends, aligning production with consumer demands.
- Negotiated timelines with clients, ensuring realistic expectations and satisfactory delivery schedules.
Assistant Buyer
Giant Tiger
08.2022 - 12.2023
- SKU creation and maintenance to meet package deadlines.
- Scrutinized purchasing data to identify areas for improvement and cost savings.
- Established and maintained accurate records of purchases, pricing and payment terms.
- Approved Lab Dips and Strike Off's for buyer on a constant need basis,
- Created flyer projections for future styles
- Cultivated strong relationships with vendors to maintain and improve levels of customer service.
- Communicated regularly with suppliers to uphold accountability for quality standards and timely delivery of goods.
- Assisted in developing seasonal buying plans, ensuring optimal merchandise assortment to meet customer demands.
- Negotiated pricing and terms with vendors to secure best value for company.
- Reviewed purchasing trends and forecast demand for inventory planning and replenishment.
ExperiencePurchasing Assistant
Ponyride Inc
09.2021 - 08.2022
- Maintained detailed record of routinely purchased items and specialty goods needed by different departments
- Prepared impeccable purchasing documentation, including the orders for goods purchasing and new bid solicitations
- Determined the reasonable price for each good or service by analyzing all available data
- Negotiated and administered contracts, continuously monitoring the vendors' performance to maintain the outlined delivery and reliability standards
- Monitored the shipments to verify the on-time arrival of goods and proactively resolve delivery problems
- Utilized downtime to perform routine tasks, preventing service delays
- Completed assigned tasks with little or no supervision
- Addressed concerns quickly to avoid lasting issues
- Used good judgment to help solve problems.Administrator
UTV International
11.2019 - 05.2020
- Answered multi-line phone system, routing calls, delivering messages to staff andgreeting visitors
- Tracked office supplies and restocked low items to keep team members on-taskand productive
- Coordinated communications, financial processing, registration, recordkeeping andother administrative functions
- Applied advanced administrative and analytical skills in overseeing day-to-dayoperational activities
- Liaised with assorted base of customers and reps, addressing requests and inquiries viaphone or email, Reconciled account files and produced monthly reports to keep accountantinformed about office operations
- Tracked and facilitated outgoing and incoming internationalpackages Facilitated all social media including website.
Underwriting Assistant
Intact Insurance
10.2018 - 09.2019
- Entered details such as payments, account information and call logsinto Halcion system
- Responded to customer requests via telephone and email and effectively answeredquestions and inquiries
- Produced ad hoc reports and documents for senior team members on monthlybasis Trained and delivered feedback to multiple-person underwriting team bycoaching subordinates on underwriting policies and decisions
- Answered telephone calls to field inquiries from clients, vendors, and various othercallers seeking information
- Modified, updated and processed existing policies
- Calculated adjustments, premiums, and refunds
Underwriting Clerk
Intact Insurance
01.2017 - 10.2018
- Completed tasks continuously on time while multitasking additional projects
- Developed and edited template contracts with any changes in our company's servicelines or new development
- Distributed work to team mates on a daily basis
- Drafted professional memos, letters, and marketing copy to support businessobjectives and growth
- Managed multiple projects simultaneously using organizational and analyticalskills Interacted with customers professionally by phone, email, or in-person toprovide information and direct to desired staff membersHelped staff complete special projects by organizing documentation and suppliesto handle forecasted demands
- Met various deadlines on additional projects developed by management.
Stock Manager
Capezio Shoes
07.2016 - 04.2017
- Strengthened inventory processes to balance supply needs with budget and spacelimitations
- Assisted customers with locating and choosing merchandise in all departments
- Oversaw employee performance, corrected problems and increased efficiency tomaintain productivity targets
- Supervised end-to-end stock management, including examining incominginventory, merchandising shelves and preventing shrinkage
- Evaluated data on stock levels, customer sales and other factors, assessed trends andreported on findings to help senior management make effective operational decisions
- Assisted customers by answer questions and and fulfilling request
- Marked down clearance items and relocated merchandise across the GTA Strengthenedmerchandising and promotional strategies to drive customers engagement and boost
sales. Store Manager
Journey's Shoe Store
01.2014 - 05.2016
- Answered questions about store policies and addressed customer concerns
- Trained new employees on proper protocols and customer servicestandards Analyzed and interpreted store trends to facilitated planning
- Completed monthly profit and loss performance analysis
- Created work schedules according to sales volumes and number of employees
- Oversaw, trained and encouraged over 20 part-time employees, promoting culture ofefficiency and performance
- Oversaw receiving and display of incoming projects, meeting planned promotionsand seasonal rotation for sales events
- Scheduled and led weekly store meetings for all employees to discuss salespromotions and new inventory while providing platform for all to voice concern
- Hired, trained and evaluated personnel in sales and marketing
- Trained and developed new associates on POS system and key sales tactics,which improved process flow.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - English Literature
University of Toronto
Toronto04.2015
Skills
- Decision Making Schedule Coordination
- Proficient in Excel, AS400, and Outlook
- Microsoft Office Suite Quality Assurance
- Handling Store Complaints Team Building
- Data Analysis and Modeling Office Equipment Management Inventory
- Oversight CRM Software (AS400 & Zoho)
- Microsoft Office Multitasking and Prioritization Adaptable and Resilient
- Attention to Detail
- Customer Service Management
- Purchase order management
- Relationship building
- Multi-tasking strength
- Materials sourcing
- Vendor relations
Timeline
Buyer - Shoes and Accessories
Hart
01.2025 - Current
Production Coordinator
Mark Edwards Ltd
12.2023 - 10.2024
Assistant Buyer
Giant Tiger
08.2022 - 12.2023
ExperiencePurchasing Assistant
Ponyride Inc
09.2021 - 08.2022
UTV International
11.2019 - 05.2020
Underwriting Assistant
Intact Insurance
10.2018 - 09.2019
Underwriting Clerk
Intact Insurance
01.2017 - 10.2018
Stock Manager
Capezio Shoes
07.2016 - 04.2017
sales. Store Manager
Journey's Shoe Store
01.2014 - 05.2016
Bachelor of Arts - English Literature
University of Toronto