Thomas McClure
Nanaimo,BC
Summary
Driven to excel, I leveraged supplier negotiation and team leadership skills at Summit Tools, achieving significant cost reductions and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. My strategic planning and relationship-building prowess have consistently enhanced supply chain efficiency and profitability, marking me as a standout in procurement and inventory management. I currently run a team of 12 people including buyers , purchasing assistants, marketing, graphics and translators as well as the merchandising team.
While at Slegg building materials for 8 years I was tasked with managing over 10,000 items through all the procurement and selling stages. With my team, we cleaned up millions of dollars of bad inventory and reduced the dead stock category to less then 2%. i increases sales and margins and all categories I was responsible for. My main categories were Tools, Fasteners, Hardware, Safety, Electrical and Plumbing.
Experienced purchasing professional with top-notch leadership, program management and planning abilities. Excellent verbal and written communication skills paired with organized nature and advanced problem-solving strengths. Improves policies, reduces waste and supports business needs with efficient, high-quality materials.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
Work History
Purchasing Manager
Summit Tools
03.2023 - Current
- Sourced vendors, built relationships, and negotiated prices.
- Purchased new products and oversaw inventory stocking and availability.
- Managed supplier relationships to ensure timely delivery of products and services.
- Achieved cost savings by negotiating contracts and pricing with suppliers.
- Performed monthly reconciliation of open purchasing orders.
- Coordinated paperwork, updated spreadsheets, and maintained permanent records.
- Implemented policies to reduce cost and eliminate waste.
- Established long-term agreements with strategic suppliers, securing favorable pricing and delivery terms.
- Implemented strategic sourcing initiatives, reducing overall purchasing costs.
- Optimized inventory levels by implementing demand forecasting techniques and just-in-time purchasing strategies.
- Trained junior staff members on best practices in purchasing management, contributing to their professional development and growth within the organization.
- Analyzed market trends and adjusted procurement strategies accordingly for optimal results.
- Monitored and evaluated vendor performance to determine compliance with quality standards.
- Wrote standard operating procedures for department.
- Developed risk management strategies to mitigate potential disruptions in the supply chain.
- Progressed through various purchasing, warehousing and leadership roles.
- Ensured compliance with corporate policies and applicable regulations governing procurement activities, mitigating company risks.
- Evaluated supplier performance through regular audits and assessments, ensuring compliance with quality standards and contractual terms.
- Generated reports, documents and analysis in Nupro and Power BI for senior management review and approval.
- Coordinated with finance and budgeting departments to align procurement strategies with fiscal objectives.
- Negotiated long-term contracts with critical suppliers to ensure supply chain stability.
- Drove innovation within supply chain by partnering with suppliers on new product development initiatives.
- Monitored inventory levels and avoided shortages with timely replenishment of stock.
- Created purchasing policies and procedures that complied with company standards and regulatory requirements.
- Negotiated pricing and terms with vendors to secure best value for company.
- Reviewed and approved purchase orders and invoices for accuracy and completeness.
- Facilitated resolution of vendor disputes and discrepancies.
- Hired and trained purchasing staff to improve effectiveness of purchasing operations.
- In charge of a current running inventory of over $19,000,000.00 across 5 stores and 2 warehouses.
Category Manager
Slegg Building Materials
11.2016 - 03.2023
- Developed detailed sales forecasts based on historical data, allowing for proactive inventory management decisions.
- Managed a diverse portfolio of products, ensuring optimal mix between high-margin items and cost-effective options for customers.
- Monitored industry trends to identify new business opportunities and emerging product categories for expansion.
- Reduced inventory costs through effective vendor negotiations and optimizing product assortments.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop promotional campaigns that effectively increased category awareness and sales growth.
- Analyzed sales performance and adjusted marketing strategies to optimize revenue generation.
- Fostered positive work atmosphere by acting and communicating collaboratively with customers.
- Enhanced supplier relationships through regular communication and collaborative problem-solving efforts.
- Benchmarked category performance against industry standards, identifying areas for improvement and implementing targeted initiatives.
- Mentored junior team members in category management best practices, contributing to a high-performing and collaborative work environment.
- Identified and reported key performance indicators to define successful category management.
- Established strong rapport with suppliers, leading to favorable contract terms and better access to exclusive products or promotions.
- Researched, prepared for and led supplier negotiation process for managed category.
- Visited supplier offices and plants to investigate facilities and capacity to meet quality requirements, specifications and delivery dates.
- Maximized category turnover through proactive management strategies.
- Developed and executed spend category to support business objectives.
- Optimized space allocation for product displays based on sales data, ensuring maximum visibility and sell-through rates.
- Incorporated suggested changes to layouts and promotions to drive sales.
- Coordinated with marketing to develop campaigns that effectively targeted key demographics, boosting sales.
- Collaborated with sales teams to understand customer needs, tailoring category offerings to increase customer satisfaction.
- Optimized inventory levels, minimizing stockouts while reducing excess inventory.
- Negotiated with suppliers to secure sustainable materials, supporting company's commitment to environmental responsibility.
- Developed and implemented category strategies to align with corporate objectives, substantially increasing efficiency.
- Achieved cost savings by identifying and eliminating inefficiencies in supply chain.
- Enhanced supplier relationships by negotiating contracts that improved terms and reduced costs.
Owner/Partner
Mountain Marketing/The Reset Team
02.1994 - 12.2012
- Built a sales/merchandising company that we expanded across Canada with 120 employees.
- Managed day-to-day business operations.
- Developed and maintained strong relationships with clients, resulting in repeat business and referrals.
- Oversaw daily operations, ensuring all tasks were completed accurately and efficiently by team members.
- Increased customer satisfaction by implementing efficient business processes and providing exceptional service.
- Consulted with customers to assess needs and propose optimal solutions.
- Hired trained, and managed a high-performing team of employees dedicated to achieving company goals.
- Established a positive workplace culture that fostered employee engagement, collaboration, and loyalty.
- Negotiated contracts with suppliers for better pricing and terms, reducing overall costs for the business.
- Organized and attended trade shows and special events to showcase products, network with other businesses and attract new customers.
- Mentored staff members on best practices in customer service and sales techniques, leading to increased performance levels.
- Developed and implemented strategic plans for revenue growth, focusing on diversification and market expansion.
- Led negotiations for major contracts, securing favorable terms that significantly reduced costs.
- Negotiated price and service with customers and vendors to decrease expenses and increase profit.
Education
High School Diploma -
Terry Fox Secondary School
Port Coquitlam, BC06.1989
Skills
- Purchase Order Management
- Vendor Relationship Management
- Supply Chain Management
- Supplier negotiation
- Strategic Planning
- Supplier Performance Evaluation
- Profit and loss understanding
- Team Leadership
Languages
English
Full Professional
Timeline
Purchasing Manager
Summit Tools
03.2023 - Current
Category Manager
Slegg Building Materials
11.2016 - 03.2023
Owner/Partner
Mountain Marketing/The Reset Team
02.1994 - 12.2012
High School Diploma -
Terry Fox Secondary School
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