KENNETH B.

BLACK
kbblack2012@comcast.net 708-906-3930 Lemont, IL 60439

SENIOR OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONAL

LOGISTICS TRANSPORTATION WAREHOUSING SUPPLY CHAIN - PROCUREMENT
More than 20 Years of progressive supply chain and logistics leadership experience directing strategic customer service, warehouse, inventory, and transportation initiatives for international food services leader. Pioneer in design and delivery of innovative manufacturing and business programs that have generated millions of dollars in cost savings. Expert in tapping into identified opportunities by having the right people, programs, and processes in place. Combines project management and continuous improvement expertise with demonstrated third-party logistics administration and best practices acumen to meet and exceed fiscal and deadline commitments. Strategic, actionoriented leader capable of igniting top-flight team performance to overcome challenges and exceed goals through fullcycle project planning and implementation. Genuine relationship-builder with employees, customers, vendors, and senior management.

KEY COMPETENCIES
Change Management Communications Start Ups & Turnarounds Team Leadership & Motivation Distribution Outsourcing Procurement & Purchasing Vendor Relations Cost Reduction Process Improvement Scheduling Budgeting Cost Accounting Cost/Benefit Analysis Expense Control Financial Analysis Negotiations Lean Manufacturing Transportation & Warehouse Management Systems (TMS& WMS)

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
MARS INC.
1993 to 2012 Worldwide manufacturer of confectionery, pet food, and other food products;$30B in annual revenue and 70K employees.

Regional Distribution Manager (2008-2012) Mars Chocolate N.A. (Mars Inc.), Burr Ridge, IL
Excelled in management role commanding third-party logistics operations with six General Managers and 200 total employees as well as a $50M budget for integrated transportation and warehouses services supporting $1.2B in revenue for confectionary business unit. Strong focus on optimizing customer satisfaction, driving continuous process improvements, reducing costs, and enhancing service and quality of Midwest Mars Chocolate region and nationwide for Mars Ice Cream. Personal responsibility for $300M in finished goods inventory, monitoring efficient supply chains throughout outbound logistics operations from factories and warehouses. Constantly sourced and acquired best-in-class vendor base to meet forecasted needs. Redesigned vendor incentive gain sharing program, improving productivity and cost controls to save $500K annually. Innovated activity-based cost allocation process at distribution centers, transferring $3M in costs from logistics budget to support co-pack & flexible manufacturing efforts. Executed on-time and under-budget warehouse inventory migration of 22K pallets for entire West Coast region. Developed inventory transition template which will be used in all subsequent start up projects. Realized $100K savings with zero impact to customer service following implementation of improved warehouse capacity tool that helped avoid overflow storage. Launched supply chain improvements throughout manufacturing plants, resulting in 30% decrease in over, short, and damage levels, 5% increase in weight utilization, and $100K in annual savings. Introduced Wrigley (Mars Inc.) sustainability process, establishing waste stream baseline totals leading to 95% landfill free results and estimated savings of $350K. Applied continuous improvements to consistently exceed targets, achieving annual savings of $400K to rank in top 25% for cost control and warehouse productivity.

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Regional Distribution Manager (2008-2012) Mars Chocolate N.A. (Mars Inc.), Burr Ridge, IL continued Established third-party logistics warehouse network General Manager Council aimed at delegating additional key projects across vendor community, resulting in $100K savings in one year. Championed ice cream shipping and delivery schedule revisions to improve performance within Wal-Mart Supply Chain Reliability program (SCRP). Collaborated on inventory age profiles and unique packaging graphics to provide client solutions for Dollar General, Family Dollar, and Costco. Attained superior performance on annual Target PIPO shipment program through key shipment and delivery scheduling, appointment setting, and carrier management monitoring. Boosted Hy-vee and Walgreens on-time metrics by teaming with customer service in managing order profile statistics.

Regional Distribution Manager (2001-2008) Masterfoods USA (Mars Inc.), Burr Ridge, IL
Directed four General Managers and 150 total employees in Midwest region transportation and warehousing services generating $1B in food and confectionary sales. Simultaneous management of $40M annual third-party logistics budget and $250M finished goods and raw materials inventory. Implemented key performance indicators for warehouse and transportation measurements and annual vendor competency program with seven annually updated rating areas. Undertook additional role as Lead Operations Manager for TMS Project Development and Installation teams. Developed vendor selection criteria, coordinated warehouse participation and training, and designed test scripts. Executed Software System implementation for Transportation Management (TMS) of customer shipments, resulting in $500K in first-year savings and $300K in ongoing sustainable improvements. Restructured warehouse layout and staffing processes to support light manufacturing capability, allowing for execution of postponement strategy. Directed comprehensive transportation bid packages, surmounting nationwide transportation capacity shortage and saving $300K annually.

Regional Distribution Manager (1993-2001) North American Logistics Service - NALS (Mars Inc.), Columbus, OH
Led two General Managers and 125 employees within third-party logistics providers for Midwest region transportation and warehouse services generating $800K in snack, pet food, and confectionary sales. Controlled $25M budget for third party warehouse services and customer freight requirements, as well as $150M finished goods and raw materials inventory. Project Manager on $35M new warehouse construction project (first in 10 years), overcoming harsh environmental conditions to complete on-time and under budget. Achieved $3M+ in logistics cost savings through process reengineering efforts (e.g. consistent bid cycles, key contract negotiations, routing improvements, inventory reductions, real estate tax appeals, and productivity improvements). Teamed to deliver carrier performance improvements, enhancing carrier on time results by 5% two years running. Realized $30M in cost savings in first ten years following new warehouse launch.

PREVIOUS PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Site Commercial Manager, Uncle Bens (Mars Inc.) Packaging Buyer, Uncle Bens (Mars Inc.) Senior Buyer, Buyer, Materials Planner, Mead Johnson Nutrition Credit & Collections Manager, Senior Financial Analyst, Analyst, Axia, Inc Faultless Caster

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Regional Distribution Manager (2008-2012) Mars Chocolate N.A. (Mars Inc.), Burr Ridge, IL continued

EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Masters of Business Administration (MBA) University of Evansville Evansville, IN Bachelor of Science in Business Administration University of Evansville Evansville, IN Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) - Warehousing Education & Research Council (WERC)