Kenneth Schugardt

Strategic Purchasing Manager with extensive experience leading procurement operations for manufacturing, construction, energy, and industrial organizations. Expert in supplier sourcing and negotiation, contract lifecycle management, inventory optimization, and cost-reduction initiatives. Proven ability to manage high-spend categories, develop reliable supplier partnerships, and ensure uninterrupted material flow supporting production and project timelines.

Adept at aligning purchasing strategy with business objectives, improving spend visibility, and strengthening supply chain resilience.

Assistant Project Manager/Strategic Buyer/Project Coordinator at Liberty Builds, LLC (Division of Suffolk Construction) (2024-06 – 2025-08)

Managed procurement activities for AWS Data Center construction projects

• Managed procurement activities for AWS Data Center construction projects, ensuring cost compliance and on-time material delivery.
• Prepared and issued purchase orders; tracked deliveries and resolved discrepancies to maintain project schedules.
• Supported subcontractor negotiations and contract administration, improving vendor coordination and execution efficiency.
• Analyzed subcontractor performance metrics to support data-driven vendor selection and improved project outcomes.

Strategic Buyer/Project Coordinator/Contract at FlexLink Systems, Inc (2023-04 – 2024-02)

Led multi-category sourcing initiatives aligned with enterprise procurement strategy

• Led multi-category sourcing initiatives from planning through contract award, aligned with enterprise procurement strategy.
• Negotiated supplier contracts and supported vendor consolidation efforts, improving supplier performance and achieving measurable cost savings.
• Applied data-driven supplier evaluations to enhance compliance, spend visibility, and sourcing decisions.

Purchasing Manager at Trion Industries, LLC (2019-09 – 2022-09)

Led all purchasing and sourcing activities for packaging and corrugated materials

• Led all purchasing and sourcing activities for packaging and corrugated materials, managing supplier selection, pricing, and contract negotiations.
• Executed competitive bidding and strategic sourcing initiatives that reduced material costs while maintaining quality and supply continuity.
• Implemented demand-driven min/max inventory controls, improving inventory turnover and strengthening budget accuracy.
• Partnered with operations, production, and finance leadership to align purchasing strategy with production schedules and financial targets.
• Managed supplier relationships, performance reviews, and contract renewals to ensure reliable delivery and service levels.

Purchasing Manager/Contract at Ashland Foundry and Machine Works (2018-12 – 2019-08)

Directed purchasing operations for high-value cast components

• Directed purchasing operations for high-value cast components, overseeing sourcing strategy, supplier negotiations, and contract execution.
• Established long-term supply agreements to stabilize pricing, improve delivery reliability, and reduce supply risk.
• Developed supplier performance scorecards tracking cost, quality, and on-time delivery metrics.
• Led supplier audits and compliance reviews, ensuring adherence to ISO standards and internal procurement policies.

Buyer/Expeditor/Contract at Flowserve Corporation (2017-08 – 2018-11)

Reduced delivery lead times through proactive supplier engagement

• Reduced delivery lead times by approximately 20% through proactive supplier engagement and expediting.
• Procured engineered-to-order components while coordinating with QA and production teams.

Buyer/Sourcing Specialist at Talen Energy, LLC (2016-03 – 2017-06)

Negotiated commercial terms and sourced equipment for nuclear power generation operations

• Negotiated commercial terms, issued purchase orders, and coordinated logistics to support plant availability.
• Collaborated with engineering, operations, logistics, and planning teams to meet critical material requirements.
• Sourced equipment and spare parts for nuclear power generation operations.

Warehouse/Shipping & Receiving Manager at Sargent Art, Inc (2014-08 – 2016-02)

Managed warehouse operations and inventory control

• Prepared budgets, managed staff, ensured regulatory compliance, and improved warehouse layouts and processes.
• Conducted physical inventories, reconciled discrepancies, and maintained inventory accuracy.
• Managed receiving, warehousing, inventory control, and distribution operations.

Materials Manager at Simmons Bedding Company (2011-02 – 2013-11)

Supervised receiving operations and supported production scheduling

• Supervised receiving operations and led a team of seven, reducing receiving errors and improving throughput.
• Supported production scheduling, forecasting, and material flow to meet customer demand.
• Oversaw purchasing and inventory control for all raw materials supporting production.

Purchasing & Inventory Manager at International Bedding Corporation (2008-07 – 2011-02)

Managed raw material procurement using MRP systems and inventory optimization

• Conducted cycle counts and annual physical inventories; evaluated vendor quotes and availability.
• Managed raw material procurement using MRP, forecasts, and production schedules.
• Optimized JIT and Kanban inventory systems.

Procurement Specialist/Contract at Exelon Power Generation Corporation (2007-06 – 2008-06)

Performed commercial evaluations and managed RFIs, RFPs, and RFQs

• Performed commercial evaluations, resolved vendor exceptions, and negotiated contracts.
• Served as lead negotiator and facilitated pre-bid meetings.
• Prepared and managed RFIs, RFPs, and RFQs.

Purchasing & Inventory Control Specialist at Schuylkill Energy Resources/ABB Combustion Systems (1989-01 – 2002-03)

Negotiated contracts and managed inventory tracking for capital projects

• Negotiated contracts and master purchase agreements with domestic and international suppliers.
• Standardized purchasing procedures and managed inventory tracking and material planning.
• Supported capital projects and complex contract and project management initiatives.

Bachelors in Business Administration – The Pennsylvania State University