SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

Exceptional Negotiation Skills

Attention to detail in creating and analyzing contracts netted substantial savin
gs to employers. Superior investigative and negotiation skills, supplemented by
established relationships with vendors, yielded excellent cost saving results an
d the best price based on specification, pricing, and service level.
Food Industry Management
Strong experience in the Food Industry encompassing management at the retail, ma
nufacturer, and broker level; including training and development, sales manageme
nt, marketing, cost analysis tracking through various computer based tracking sy
stems to include the use of Microsoft Office programs and product promotion in s
upport of successful new product lines. Strong understanding of quality assuranc
e and food safety. Concentrated focus on product specifications, quality inquiri
es, and product recall. Retail customers to include Kroger (Ralphs) Fred Meyers,
Loblaws Canada , Costco, Dillon Stores, Jewel Stores, King Soopers, Associate F
ood Stores, C& S , Super Valu, Albertsons, He. Butt, Safeway, United Grocers
Training and Development
Developed, implemented, and presented training curriculum and programs to indivi
duals and small groups. Hands on experience.
Product Merchandising and Marketing
Designed and developed successful sales and marketing programs for products, inc
luding the development of marketing brochures to support new product line introd
uctions.
Technical Expertise
Extensive experience as a baker, cake decorator and trainer, as well as manageme
nt experience in all facets of operations in multiple retail locations.
Food Service Purchasing
Solid experience in the food service industry dealing with commodities (includin
g proteins, produce, and grains), dry goods, beverages, dairy, liquor, paper pro
ducts, and equipment.. Food Service Customer to include: Real Mex Foods (El Tori
to, Chevys. Acapulco), La Salsa, Cardenas, Top Valu, Ritz Carlton
Project Management
Excellent start-up experience with proven ability to assist in full construction
to include equipment, flooring, signage, seating, and refrigeration.
Food Safety and Quality Assurance
Directly worked with Quality Assurance regarding food safety and proper food han
dling. Oversaw quality related documentation for inspections. Participated in th
e Safety Committee regarding food handling and preventative safety measures.
Michele T. Goldman Page Two
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Mission Produce, Inc. Oxnard, California
Purchasing Manager 2007 to Present
* Procured produce from Mexico and Peru; utilized Canada, East and West Coast f
or products when deemed necessary.
* Managed all import documentation required for foreign-sourced products securi
ng all import/export bonds, dealing with brokers to "cross items in and out of t
he country." Comprehension of the process of a Bill of Origin and Commercial Inv
oices, as well as drawback bonds.
* Communicated and resolved daily issues between internal organizations and sup
pliers, participated in weekly cross-functional team meetings to cover open issu
es. Worked with ten outside Forward Distribution Centers and utilized over 500 s
uppliers to furnish the needs of each location. Weekly communications regarding
needs and expectations of all locations including Canada, Mexico, Japan, and Per
u.
* Participated in the creation and maintenance of quarterly supplier scorecard
measuring all aspects of suppliers' performance including cost, delivery, and qu
ality at a minimum. Contract national programs including stable price structure,
incentives for volume buying, freight elimination, and a 1% to 2% pay in ten cr
edits. Included all vendors in a team environment working together for one commo
n goal: good product, good service, communication, and problem solving.
* Managed and executed regular RFI/RFP/RFQ processes to drive competition:
* RFI: Request for Information - daily sourced and requested information and sp
ecifications on ordered items from all departments.
* RFP: Request for Proposal - documented and kept on file references for future
proposals potentially becoming national contracts. Good record keeping is the k
ey to having a reference point for future proposals.
* RFQ: Request for Quotation - Quotations were requested from various vendors t
o be compared to each other (at least three). This assured the department of pri
cing and kept everyone honest. Prior to purchase, a proposal must be submitted a
nd reviewed.
* Structured a Purchasing Department domestically and internationally including
nine distribution centers across the United States, Canada, and Mexico resultin
g in an effective and efficient procurement process.
* Established online ordering and billing ensuring savings of over $50,000.00.
* Import/Export Product: Established bonds for all applications at an aggressiv
e cost, saving over $20,000.00 in fees including drawback bond process.
* Over two million dollars in savings the first year was achieved by maintainin
g supplier relationships. Savings continue to flourish with the start of 2010, b
y creating aggressive volume programs, January projected savings will be over $3
50,000.00.
El Gallo Giro Downey, California
Director of Purchasing 1998 to 2007
* Diversity and authenticity was the key for purchasing from New Mexico, Mexico
, and Northern California for items that were not readily available from local d
istributors or growers (for example, Mamey, tripas, whole corn for tortillas). A
lso worked with China for biodegradable items.
* The first year saved company $150,000.00, after 8 years saved over $5 million
dollars
* Negotiated commodity buying that allowed for standardized food costing while
spearheading growth program to create competitive costs
* By combining purchasing under one to three distributors, to leverage daily co
sts and controls, store operating cash flow increased approximately 45% and sale
s increased from $3 million to $40 million dollars
Michele T. Goldman Page Three
The Pink Dot Malibu, California
Vice President of Purchasing 1997 to 1998
* By creating a centralized Purchasing Department, utilizing Sysco Food Service
Systems, created 5% savings in food costs
* Saved company over $250,000.00 before change in ownership
Dansk Specialty Foods Tustin, California
Director - Bakery/Account Executive 1995 to 1997
* Increased new customer base by 50, which increased sales by $250,000.00 per q
uarter
 * Created a Northern California customer base which added an additional $100,00
0.00 in sales per month
Atlas Horn, Inc. Hollywood, California
Director - Bakery/Account Executive 1994 to 1995
* Increased sales by $100,000.00 in three months
* Developed and motivated territory sales managers to increase profitability by
20% by acquiring additional line products and increasing customer awareness and
interest
Certified Grocers of California Commerce, California
Service Deli/Bakery Sales and Merchandising Representative 1991 to 1994
* Created and developed departments for the independent market to include Top V
alue, Cardenas Markets, 32nd Street Markets, Vallarta's, etc.
* Built successful Deli/Bakery locations for independent markets
Alpha Beta/Lucky Stores, Inc. Thousand Oaks, California
Service Deli/Bakery Manager and Trainer 1986 to 1991
* Successfully opened 10 new locations in Ventura County and trained all manage
rs, cake decorators, bakers, and customer service workers through opening and fi
rst 90 days
* Within the Ventura Division ranked Number 3 overall out of 50 locations, rank
ed Number 1 three to four times a year
EDUCATION
A. A. Degree Woodland Hills, California
Pierce College
OTHER KNOWLEDGE
MS Word, Excel, Outlook, AS400
REFERENCES UPON REQUEST