JAMES A. TETREAULT
Burnaby,Canada
Summary
Experienced and goal-oriented Manager with over 15 years of expertise in senior management roles across diverse sectors, including consumer products, electronics, commercial ventures, hardlines, soft lines, safety equipment, and food/produce organizations. Skilled in crafting compelling product assortments, evaluating and selecting products strategically to achieve corporate objectives, drive sales, and meet gross margin targets. Demonstrated success in comprehending market trends, understanding category dynamics, and aligning strategies with evolving consumer preferences. Prepared for senior leadership with proven ability in vendor negotiation, cost reduction, and supply chain optimization. Strong focus on team collaboration and achieving impactful results. Reliable, adaptable, and skilled in strategic sourcing, contract management, and inventory control.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Purchasing Manager / Operations / Logistics
Freshslice Pizza
03.2024 - Current
- Oversee the acquisition of all food, packaging, equipment, smallware’s and all overseas imports from China, contracts, and a diverse range of goods and services
- Setting and maintaining a budget for the procurement division, evaluating existing procurement practices, devising, and implementing procurement guidelines, hiring, and training staff for the procurement department, monitoring inventory levels to determine when new orders are required, supervising negotiations for all procurement activities, and acting as the organization's representative in negotiations with vendors, nurturing positive vendor relationships along the way
Purchasing / Operations Manager
Sensei Ag.
01.2021 - 10.2023
- Company Overview: Sensei Ag, a new entrant in the Canadian market and a sister company of Oracle
- Comprehensive greenhouse expertise and production facility and industry acumen, leveraging a unique blend of purchasing and operational proficiency
- Expenditure: $20 million
- Key Achievements:
- Cost Savings: Spearheaded initiatives that resulted in significant financial benefits, including a $400K cost reduction within the first week by efficiently sourcing strawberry propagators, leveraging market knowledge and an extensive supplier network
- Global Procurement: Secured a one-time savings of approximately $2M by adeptly procuring two packing lines from China
- Operational Efficiency: Realized annual savings of around $80K by acquiring an Automated Ellepot machine for coco cubes, streamlining production and reducing labor costs for the production of 42 million units annually
- Infrastructure Optimization: Implemented cost-effective measures, saving $125K through the establishment of a 7500 sq foot cooling facility for the storage of Lettuce and Strawberries
- Supplier Network Expansion: Established relationships with over 75 suppliers in the greenhouse sector, spanning growing materials, seed suppliers, machinery providers, electrical suppliers, fabricators, and packaging suppliers
- Strategic Partnerships: Negotiated a cost-saving of over $50K on the purchase of Lift Trucks and Sky Jacks from Toyota
- Technology Implementation: Orchestrated an annual savings exceeding $100K by introducing a custom-designed Tray Washer from Hamil in Niagara Falls, Canada, eliminating manual tray washing processes and optimizing staff utilization
- Safety Protocols: Formulated and implemented various safety protocols within the new greenhouse, ensuring a secure working environment
- End-to-End Procurement: Successfully sourced all packing materials for Cucumbers, Tomatoes, Peppers, Lettuce, Strawberries, and Melons, as well as corrugated products from Cascade
- Brand Management: Managed the sourcing of all packaging and labels for clamshells, ensuring consistent quality and brand representation
- Sustainable Packaging: Introducing sustainable packaging solutions for lettuce through strategic sourcing
- Focused on eco-friendly materials, this initiative aims to enhance environmental stewardship in the packaging of fresh produce
- Operational: Knowledge of HVAC, Plumbing and/or Pipe Valves & Fittings – Purchased these items of last 5 years
- Sensei Ag, a new entrant in the Canadian market and a sister company of Oracle
Chief Operations Officer
Megaphoton Inc.
11.2019 - 12.2020
- Singled out by Company's President & Chairman to assume this newly created role and leverage deep industry-specific knowledge in guiding an aggressive expansion from 1 central office to 5 Chinese-based cities
- Lead, motivate, and inspire 200 direct / indirect reports - both in-office and remote
Director of Purchasing / Operations Manager
Great Lakes Greenhouse Inc.
10.2016 - 11.2019
- Initially hired as a Purchasing Manager; promoted just 1 year later to step into this newly created role and leverage operational talents in infusing much-needed structure among this 130-acre operation
- Oversaw 30 direct reports
- Expenditure: $22 million with Annual sales of $150 million
- Projected to capture $1M in 1-time savings (and healthy 6-figure savings in the longer term), having built, designed, and managed a new 123,000 sq.ft
- Organics packing warehouse with all new equipment and packing solutions
- Saved approximately $250K in 2020 regarding the building and management of a new 55,000 sq.ft
- Facility to pack peppers and tomatoes by installing state-of-the-art cooling systems
- Delivered U.S
- $100K+ in savings in 2020 by championing the installation of 15 acres' worth of LED lighting for mini cucumbers representing approximately 12K lights from 2 key brands
- Effected over $90K per year in savings in 2019 by replacing a long-standing cucumber film supplier that placed total focus on top-quality output
- Saved close to $7M on an aggressive start-to-finish build of Organic 30 Acre Greenhouse in 2018 by taking the time to research the feasibility of installing new 4-layer Poly Film and a wealth of systems involving Electric Curtains, Organic Irrigation, Misting, and New Gutters
- Vaulted mini cucumber growth rate as much as 35% in 2018, having overseen and introduced a state-of-the-art High Pressure Fog System to cover 15 acres - an action that successfully controlled humidity involving a perishable product
- Delivered $250K in yearly savings in 2017 by inking a deal with a new corrugated supplier based on anticipated price increases that former supplier was going to issue
- Sped up purchase order processing turnarounds increased as much as 50% (while also increasing accuracy levels) in 2017, having installed a more robust Purchase Order Management System
- During 2017, secured approximately $750K in operating savings over a 5-year period by launching a new packing line system and new pallet wrap systems
Franchise Owner / Operator
Jaq One Enterprise Inc.
08.2013 - 09.2016
- Just inched over $1M in revenues for all 3 locations by taking the time to give each client personalized attention and delivering the very best service possible
Director of Procurement
Rent-A-Center Canada
01.2011 - 01.2013
- Company Overview: Rent-A-Center offers brand-name furniture, appliances, computers, and electronics like Ashley Furniture, Sony, Whirlpool, Dell, and HP through a rent-to-own model with minimal upfront costs and no long-term commitments
- Managed 18 locations across Canada
- Rent-A-Center offers brand-name furniture, appliances, computers, and electronics like Ashley Furniture, Sony, Whirlpool, Dell, and HP through a rent-to-own model with minimal upfront costs and no long-term commitments
Education
Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) - Marketing
St. Clair College
Windsor, ONCertificate - Logistics, Materials and Supply Chain Management
Oakland University
Oakland, MIDale Carnegie Course -
St. Clair College
Windsor, ONSkills
- Supplier relationship management
- Negotiation expertise
- Supply chain optimization
- Strategic sourcing
- Global procurement
- Budget planning
- Procurement policies
- Purchase order management
- Supplier negotiation
- Vendor sourcing
Accomplishments
- Managed purchasing operations for 200 locations.
- Improved operations efficiency 50% with implementation of various process improvements.
- Reduced excess inventory by $100,000 through improved purchasing and distribution procedures.
- Saved company $1.5 Million per year by creating improved vendor sourcing and negotiations procedures.
- Supervised team of 5 to 40 staff members.
- Used Microsoft Excel to develop inventory tracking spreadsheets.
Languages
English
Full Professional
Timeline
Senior Purchasing Manager / Operations / Logistics
Freshslice Pizza
03.2024 - Current
Purchasing / Operations Manager
Sensei Ag.
01.2021 - 10.2023
Chief Operations Officer
Megaphoton Inc.
11.2019 - 12.2020
Director of Purchasing / Operations Manager
Great Lakes Greenhouse Inc.
10.2016 - 11.2019
Franchise Owner / Operator
Jaq One Enterprise Inc.
08.2013 - 09.2016
Director of Procurement
Rent-A-Center Canada
01.2011 - 01.2013
Certificate - Logistics, Materials and Supply Chain Management
Oakland University
Dale Carnegie Course -
St. Clair College
Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) - Marketing
St. Clair College
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