Open To Work
Susan Ketcher
Osage
Summary
Dynamic procurement specialist with a proven track record at Elkay Manufacturing, excelling in vendor negotiation and cost-saving strategies. Expert in supplier performance evaluation and data reporting, I drive efficiency and enhance supply chain management, achieving significant savings through strategic sourcing initiatives and fostering strong supplier relationships.
Overview
36
36
years of professional experience
Work History
Sr. Spec., Procurement
Acron Aviation
St. Petersburg
2025.03 - 2026.02
- Analyzed procurement data to identify cost-saving opportunities, refining vendor selection process.
- Identified cost saving opportunities through strategic sourcing initiatives such as consolidation of suppliers.
- Achieved cost-savings by developing functional solutions to problems.
- Negotiated terms with vendors to ensure competitive prices while maintaining quality standards.
- Managed suppliers to ensure compliance with program requirements, maintaining quality and timely delivery.
- Analyzed and evaluated supplier performance to identify areas of improvement.
- Managed supplier relationships by conducting regular meetings and calls to discuss opportunities for improvement.
- Evaluated bids from vendors based on pricing accuracy as well as quality assurance requirements.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams on various projects to enhance overall effectiveness.
- Collaborated with team members to achieve project objectives and meet deadlines, enhancing team alignment.
- Prioritized and organized tasks to efficiently accomplish service goals.
Sr. Spec., Procurement
L3Harris
Melbourne
2019.04 - 2025.03
- Achieved cost-savings by developing functional solutions to problems.
- Leveraged software and tools to enhance process efficiency and performance.
- Executed daily operations with precision to maintain service quality.
- Worked with cross-functional teams to achieve goals.
- Prioritized and organized tasks to efficiently accomplish service goals.
Engineering Specialist III
ACPI
Waconia
2015.01 - 2019.04
- Supported continuous improvement initiatives by verifying order accuracy on replacement orders to enhance production reliability.
- Analyzed material needs with production and coordinated with supply chain to ensure specifications were met.
- Audit ERP system accurate reporting and analysis.
- Maintain inventory accuracy in the production facility.
- Assist in determining the best shipping method on select shipments.
- Collaborated with post-order engineering to confirm order accuracy, streamlining the fulfillment process.
- Analyze best practices and initiate process improvements
- Joined Elkay Manufacturing team
Manufacturing Services Manager
Nevers Industries Inc.
Plymouth
2012.01 - 2014.12
- Eliminated excess and obsolete inventory resulting in annual cost savings totaling $50,000+.
- Managed projects from design through production, ensuring alignment with operational goals.
- Facilitated timely purchase and delivery of inventory to meet production needs.
- Evaluated inventory safety stock levels to ensure adequate supply.
- Negotiated pricing and reviewed quality and performance of nationwide suppliers, providing actionable recommendations.
- Resolve non-conforming invoices, purchase orders and inventory.
- Master Scheduling orders to production.
Buyer / Planner Analyst
DELL
Eden Prairie
2011.01 - 2012.12
- Coordinated purchase and timely delivery of inventory to meet operational needs.
- Arranged deliveries from supplier to end user based on scheduled delivery and installation dates.
- Resolved inventory discrepancies through thorough audits, enhancing accuracy of records.
Purchasing Manager
ELKAY Manufacturing
Waconia
1994.01 - 2010.12
- Directed all procurement operations for five U.S. manufacturing facilities.
- Led team that processed 3,000+ purchase orders monthly insuring high levels of accuracy and timeliness.
- Integral involvement with 50+ product launches; sourcing new suppliers, negotiating pricing, qualifying suppliers and setting up new purchased part numbers for the BOM (Bill of Materials).
- Negotiated pricing and reviewed supplier quality and performance with hundreds of suppliers nationwide.
- Managed four purchasing agents and main point of contact for operations issues.
- Reviewed and approved supplier contracts to ensure compliance with company policies.
- Developed and implemented rebate programs with suppliers, generating over $250k in incentives.
- Eliminated excess and obsolete inventory resulting in annual cost savings totaling $500k.
- Established JIT (Just in Time) programs with suppliers, decreasing inventory levels and increasing inventory turns.
- Developed and implemented procurement functions utilizing the ERP system.
- Resulting in improved Buyer time management and inventory turns while reducing human error and excess inventory.
- Project Manager for headquarters facility interior; designed layout, hired subcontractors, orchestrated subcontractor schedules to coordinate with employee move in dates.
- Utilized Architectural background producing construction documents for a large building expansion.
Architectural/ Master Planning Associate
Black and Veatch
Overland Park
1990.01 - 1994.12
- Led project team in construction of Tank Driver Trainer Facility at Fort Knox, Kentucky.
- Production of detailed construction documents for a Tank Driver Trainer Facility.
- Developed interior space plans for various projects.
- Gathered and assimilated field information for projects at U.S. Air Force bases, enhancing project accuracy.
- Developed prototype AutoCAD system, reducing manual drafting workload for department.
- Utilized graphic and computer skills to construct presentation documents.
Education
Associate of Science Degree - Architectural/Aerospace Drafting and Design
Northwest Technical Institute
Eden Prairie, MNSkills
- Procurement analysis
- Contract management
- Vendor negotiation
- Supplier evaluation
- Cost-saving strategies
- Supply chain management
- Data reporting
Work Preference
Job Search Status
Open to workWork Type
Full TimeLocation Preference
RemoteSalary Range
$83000/yr - $200000/yrTimeline
Sr. Spec., Procurement
Acron Aviation
2025.03 - 2026.02
Sr. Spec., Procurement
L3Harris
2019.04 - 2025.03
Engineering Specialist III
ACPI
2015.01 - 2019.04
Manufacturing Services Manager
Nevers Industries Inc.
2012.01 - 2014.12
Buyer / Planner Analyst
DELL
2011.01 - 2012.12
Purchasing Manager
ELKAY Manufacturing
1994.01 - 2010.12
Architectural/ Master Planning Associate
Black and Veatch
1990.01 - 1994.12
Associate of Science Degree - Architectural/Aerospace Drafting and Design
Northwest Technical Institute