Canada
Sourced vendors for raw materials, negotiated contracts, terms, and conditions and developed long-term mutually beneficial relationships with vendors, coordinated shipping, logistics and customs for purchases, including overseas purchases, successfully minimizing per unit transportation costs, participated in manufacturing roles, resulting in improved efficiency and quality of finished goods, utilized inventory software to optimize ordering schedule and inventory levels
Selected among vendors for best quality and pricing, sourced new vendors, and products, analyzed and rationalized product selection to optimize sales.
Successfully managed several retail departments with teams of up to 25 staff, keeping turnover low and staff efficiency high, regular rotation as duty manager (acting manager) for entire store, direct customer service - became a preferred individual to deal with customer issues.