David O'connor

An accomplished purchasing, planning and sourcing specialist with 20 years of Management experience in FMCG, Food, Wholesale, B2B and B2C Manufacturing environments. Managing complex Supply Chains, negotiating and managing high-level cross-cultural supplier relationships to deliver bottom line advantage. Particularly knowledgeable within the arena of sourcing, purchasing, Inventory and planning management.

Expert in sourcing from China. Experienced in RFI / RFQ / NPD and Project Management processes, handling several Projects simultaneously.

Private Hire Driver - Nightingale Coaches

(2023-01)

Procurement Administrator - Anabas ltd

(2023-02 - 2023-05)

• Manage the onboarding of all new Contractors and Suppliers
• Monitor Contractor Insurance/HSE/Quality termination dates to ensure all documentation is valid and in date
• Liaise with the Facilities Management Implementation Team with all Contractor non compliance issues
• Provide support to the Business Support Director

Global Purchasing Manager - In2tec Ltd

(2021-08 - 2022-02)

• Proactively managing the Supplychain process and building strong Vendor relationships
• Managing the procurement process ensuring OTIF deliveries from China
• Managing Vendor contracts and agreements
• Managing the freight requirements as defined by the Clients
• Managing the Purchasing Team in UK and China
• Managing price variences and leading all price negotiations
• Managing and monitoring UK Inventory levels

Materials Planner / Buyer - CWG Choices

(2020-07 - 2021-07)

• Responsible for ensuring the smooth / timely Supply of Plastic Profile to support the Manufacturing process
• Interpretation of Material Lists and placing the relevant Purchase Orders with Suppliers
• Raising all Works Orders and Scheduling through the Manufacturing process
• First point of contact for Sales Dept. Regarding availability information and feeding back all changes to the Production Plan

Hub Stock Controller & China Stock Buyer - Very Displays Ltd

(2019-05 - 2020-07)

• Responsible for the Planning, Forecasting and Stock Replenishment for 6 Hub destinations across EU
• Monitoring the Min-Max levels to ensure Stock is in the right place at the right time
• Placing PO's with China Suppliers in line with the China Forecast
• Negotiating Prices and Lead-times in accordance with the Forecast
• Pushing Suppliers for better Payment Terms
• Giving the business updates on Stock arrival working with China Suppliers and Shipping Companies
• Identified an 'overstock' problem with the EU Hub Stock and implemented a Forecast and Planning system to control and drive down the EU Hub Stock
• Rationalised the payment schedule between Very Finance Team, China Suppliers and Shipping Agents to allow the timely delivery of Containers into the Business
• Introduced a Document to monitor China Suppliers adherence to PO's vs promised Production Lead-Time
• Initiated a Quality Procedure which will be introduced across the whole of the China Supplier Base

GROUP SOURCING MANAGER - P3 GROUP

(2015-11 - 2018-11)

With responsibility for managing the strategic sourcing activities for the P3 Group of Companies, to lead and create customised teams, sourcing, new product discovery and procurement in China. Reporting to the Group Product Development and Sourcing Director and working with a core of up to 25 Chinese manufacturers, to identify potential new products and suppliers, assigning Quality and Product Engineers to explore their potential and lead the development of new and existing products to launch into the EU and US markets. Included regular travel to China to meet suppliers, carry out factory visits, assess products and evaluate projects.

Regularly attended industry shows and exhibitions, such as APPEXPO, Sign China and Canton Fair, ensuring the business is up to date with industry trends and products.

• Provided costs savings and improved margin through strategic sourcing, vendor consolidation and risk mitigation of products from USA and EU business over to manufacturing plants in China. Saved over $1.9m in 36 months; this was achieved by reviewing suppliers and a combination of sourcing projects. $1.3m cost saving achieved through sourcing fabric through China and $600k achieved through sourcing alternative suppliers
• Re-sourced manufactured products already within China, ensuring margins were maintained
• Successfully led 22 sourcing projects from brief to launch
• Sourced new products; enhanced existing product range and generated new sales
• Involved in over 300 Sourcing projects

PURCHASING / MATERIALS MANAGER - P3 GROUP

(2006-06 - 2015-10)

Purchasing responsibility for the Ultima Displays division within the Group.

Ultima

Displays are distributors of portable and foldable display equipment and solutions for trade events and exhibitions to B2B wholesale, European markets. Commenced as Purchasing Manager, but with a widening remit for the flow of goods in the UK, very quickly acquired additional responsibilities for managing the China business and the direct and indirect spend of $10m; creating the purchasing plan and managing the complex supply chain of goods from China to UK, liaising closely with the Chinese Regional Vendor Managers, monitoring production scheduling and shipping. With 2 Buyers reporting in, analysed production trends, sales, margins and labour levels and interfaced with the wider product development teams, developing new aluminium hardware products such as roller banners and pop-ups. Responsible for £2m of China goods stock levels held in the UK and negotiated lead-times and pricing of large spike demands. Interfaced and negotiated with Business Owners in China on cost, service, terms and quality, often in partnership to progress and develop long-term and mutually beneficial trading relationships.

• Rationalised Aluminium suppliers from four to one saving 15% (£50,000) and negotiated a 12 months stockholding agreement, formerly 4 months
• Reduced spend on Cardboard Packaging from £140,000 to £126,000 and reduced lead-time from 14 days to 3 days
• Reduced lead-time from 4-7 days to zero days on Foam and Non Foam Loop Nylon with a Consignment Stock arrangement
• Reduced the lead time for China orders from 100 days to 75 days by identifying the bottlenecks in supplier manufacturing processes and working with Business Owners to proactively develop their purchase planning methods
• Improved stock availability from 78% to 97%
• Visited China regularly, developing supplier systems and processes with a view to driving up quality standards and driving down manufacturing costs
• Liaised with Group Divisional MDs advising on the development of the Chinese markets and developing forecasting and purchasing methods and protocols for each business

PLANNING AND PURCHASING MANAGER - GOLDEN WEST FOODS

(2000-12 - 2004-12)

Managing the £20 million European Demand of Ketchup, Milk-Shake Syrup, McFlurry Sauces and Coca Cola Production for McDonalds Europe. Led the Planning and Scheduling Operation for an award winning 24 hours Production Facility and providing an 8-week rolling Forecast. Manage a Raw Materials, Ingredients, Packaging and Indirect spend of £15m.

This included multi million contract negation for the Supply of Sugar, Milk, Cocoa Powder and Fresh and Frozen Fruit. Sole contact for McDonalds Promotions and responsible for the Forecasting, Purchasing, Planning and Scheduling to ensure OTIF objectives were met for all Promotions.

• Managing the Finished Stock Demands for 400 SKU into 18 Selling Locations
• Responsible for the Finished Stock and Components Inventory
• Created the Planning and Scheduling Plan for 8 High Speed Filling Machines including Labour requirement
• Utilising EDI protocols to ensure the Supplier Base had the latest Sales Data and Forecasts
• Held various Roles including Category Buyer for Cartons, Glass and Plastic Bottles, Pumps & Actuators, Demo Vials and Sample Sachets and Gift Sets
• Advanced level user of the MPS ERP System
• Reduced Finished Goods Stock holding from £1.2m to £650k