James Rios
Davie
Summary
Detail-oriented and dynamic professional with over 15 years of diversified experience in business operations, specializing in strategic purchasing, manufacturing, distribution, logistics, and inventory management. Expertise in driving key organizational functions while fostering a lean and empowered workforce committed to delivering quality services and achieving operational excellence. Proven track record of enhancing processes and optimizing resources, demonstrating dedication to continuous improvement and innovation in fast-paced environments. Recognized purchasing specialist with proficiency in procurement, vendor management, and contract negotiation, consistently promoting effective team collaboration and adaptability to meet evolving business needs.
Overview
37
37
years of professional experience
Work History
Strategic/Operative Purchaser
Wartsila North America
09.2011 - Current
- Coordinated purchase orders with suppliers for both direct and indirect related orders.
- Ensured the order was confirmed with the supplier and complete delivery was executed.
- Maintained relations with supplier to maximize supplier performance, including on time deliveries.
- Negotiated directly with supplier customer service representative or key account manager for best price.
- Reviewed supplier accounts and coordinated annual price agreements to include discounts and rebate programs.
- Communicated with suppliers to provide feedback to solidify strategic partnerships and maintained supplier performance summaries.
- Facilitated trainings to organization as key user for SAP, Coupa, Candex purchasing tools to support internal purchases, follow ups, posting of goods receipt and invoice process review.
- Supported for emergency requests needed by next day to support critical marine operations or Wartsila shop requirements. This included coordinating the immediate logistics requirements directly with the supplier or with our Wartsila logistics team.
- Collaborated with Field Service Team to support with completing purchase orders, providing order status, and informing for payment status.
- Worked with facilities team, field service team, sales team, accounting team, quality management team, contract management, and logistics team to provide guidance for support to provide organization for quotations based on market review.
- Supported for procurement projects and bids to suppliers for Wartsila to assist categories to include facilities, IT/Telecom, Human Resources, MRO, and Subcontracting Services.
- Reconciled invoices and supported accounting group and business control for closing order payments in SAP.
- Participated in purchasing department audits to support understanding for overall process, key performance indicators, and maintenance of internal records.
Technical Buyer II
Royal Caribbean Limited
02.2003 - 08.2011
- Facilitated arrangements between suppliers, logistics, and port agents to expedite materials procurement required for all areas of the hotel department and technical purchasing department to include food and beverage, medical, janitorial, and safety supplies in accordance with company terms and conditions.
- Maintained documentation for delivery verification and processed records for eventual vendor confirmation and payment purposes.
- Arranged for the resolution of invoices and vessel discrepancies with incomplete orders or wrong items delivered.
- Completed requisitions for vessel supplies in a timely, efficient, and cost-effective manner.
- Coordinate procurement of items needed in an emergency or within 48 hours. Arranged for onboard assistance with organizations to perform service, maintenance, or repairs for technical departments onboard for Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises.
Distribution Manager
Aurafin/Oroamerica
01.2000 - 01.2003
- Processed documentation, coordinated transportation, and packaged supplies of substantially valuable gold merchandise for shipments and delivery to customers, refineries, and contractors.
- Comprehensive background in areas of safety programs and compliance (OSHA), quality assurance (ISO 9000), materials handling (HAZMAT), ground, air and ocean vessel freight distribution, and loss prevention maintenance programs.
- Interviewed and trained employees to meet or surpass expectations of organizational objectives.
Control Room Manager
Auracast
01.1995 - 01.2000
- Purchased gold, alloys, raw materials, and supplies for production of three different world class manufacturing facilities located in Mexico, Dominican Republic, and Peru.
- Managed on site service contracts with responsibility for sourcing, bidding, negotiation, and selection of vendors.
- Authorize releases against contracts. Interacted with contractors and plant personnel evaluating fulfillment of contracts.
- Maintained required inventories and recorded transactions of precious metals and fine gold with values of approximately 15 million dollars.
- Knowledge of computerized inventory control management systems, and processes to reconcile accounts, evaluate replenishment conditions, and maintain inventory records.
Sales Representative
Fisherman’s Paradise
01.1993 - 01.1994
- Working with customers, providing product information and prices of outdoors sporting equipment, fishing products, electronics, and boats.
- Performed research of market trends and systems to seek method improvements to increase revenues, productivity, and to generate overall cost savings.
United States Army, Europe and South Eastern America
01.1989 - 01.1993
- Real world, indispensable, lessons learned while assigned critical, global, assignments.
- Leadership school graduate instructed in effective communications, and management applications.
- Trained team members on the importance of setting goals and acting in a crisis by devising strategies, revising tactics, and organizing individuals into cohesive units.
Education
Master of Business Administration -
Nova Southeastern University
Davie, FL01.2006
Bachelor of Business Management - undefined
Florida International University
Miami, FL01.2002
Bachelor of International Business - undefined
Florida International University
Miami, FL01.2002
Associate of Art Degree - undefined
Broward Community College
Davie, FL12.1999
Skills
- Able to analyze problems, forecast future trends, compare alternatives, and describe implications
- Excellent organizational skills, analytical, and detail oriented
- Multitask oriented, strong interpersonal skills, and able to work with, diverse, groups
- Computer trained skills, and software applications, include using Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, Power BI, Coupa, Ariba, and SAP
- Delivered, high impact, media presentations using Microsoft PowerPoint, and Filmmaker Pro
Accomplishments
- Implementation as Strategic Buyer for Building Expansion Project. Resulted in close to 200K in overall savings.
- Specialized Product Sourcing for Life Saving Respiratory Masks for Field Service Engineers sourced directly from Manufacturer in Middle East.
- Supplier Relations Management and worked closely with supplier in MRO Category, Facilities, Subcontracting, to develop rebate programs for savings and obtain National Account status for Wartsila Locations in North America serving USA, Canada and Caribbean.
- Streamlined supplier base for specific commodity area thus improving on time delivery and overall supplier performance.
- Reduced daily inventory requirement costs by 60% after working directly with the Accounting and Information Systems departments to develop forecasting tools used interactively by all departments.
- Implemented departmental safety practices in accordance with local, state, and federal (OSHA) requirements. Organizational examples include issuances of safety equipment, postings of health and safety rules, and maintenance of records of information for utilizing hazardous materials resulting in an incident free workplace.
- Adopted training programs to improve packing and shipping efficiencies. Departmental examples include Training classes in conjunction with local carriers for cost effective theft protective methods of product preparation. Training and departmental practices related to theft and pilferage reduced claims by 90%, quantified over a year period.
Timeline
Strategic/Operative Purchaser
Wartsila North America
09.2011 - Current
Technical Buyer II
Royal Caribbean Limited
02.2003 - 08.2011
Distribution Manager
Aurafin/Oroamerica
01.2000 - 01.2003
Control Room Manager
Auracast
01.1995 - 01.2000
Sales Representative
Fisherman’s Paradise
01.1993 - 01.1994
United States Army, Europe and South Eastern America
01.1989 - 01.1993
Bachelor of Business Management - undefined
Florida International University
Bachelor of International Business - undefined
Florida International University
Associate of Art Degree - undefined
Broward Community College
Master of Business Administration -
Nova Southeastern University
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