WENDY CULWELL
Bentonville, AR 72712 | 479.599.8019 | [email protected]
linkedin.com/in/wendyculwell
SUMMARY
Dedicated and self-motivated professional with a strong work ethic and the ability to lead, motivate teams, and build strong
customer relationships. Brings extensive experience as a buyer, sourcing manager, and internal consultancy in key areas such
as import supply chain, negotiation, and global leverage. Delivers short and long-term results across diverse category
portfolios using business analytics, supply chain analysis, category strategy, and cross-functional alignment. Able to provide
solutions from various perspectives to facilitate the lasting success of an enterprise. Looking for a new venture in an area
related to category management or global sourcing operations.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
WAL-MART STORES, INC., Bentonville, Arkansas
Sourcing Support Lead, 2014 - Present
Responsible for improving indirect spend management for Realty Maintenance and Recycling Income in 100% influence-
based role by developing and implementing short and long-term strategy for support area, and gaining support for category-
specific strategy. Provide direction by analyzing business objectives and customer needs; developing, communicating,
building support for, and implementing business strategies, plans, and practices; analyzing costs and forecasts and
incorporating them into business plans; determining resource requirements; evaluating operational processes; measuring
outcomes to ensure desired results; identifying and capitalizing on improvement opportunities; demonstrating adaptability
and sponsoring continuous learning.
Provided an internal consultancy service that required building trust with engineers and their leaders to lay the
foundation for end to end procurement transformation. Provided purchasing leverage, spend analysis tools, total
cost of ownership, category strategy, negotiating and contracting, procurement efficiency, and payments auditing.
Drove credibility by placing the focus on the stakeholders experience, understanding their priorities and
requirements, resulting in significant financial gain (Ex: Trash Hauling 6% savings, Lighting services 27%, Electrical
services 4%, Plumbing 3%, Parking Lot Repair 21%, Roofing cost mitigation), and increase in recycling profit (Ex: 23%
old corrugated cardboard).
Liaised between various parties to ensure a thorough understanding of the project requirements, deliverables,
critical path, roles and responsibilities, to ensure delivery on commitments.
Provided visibility for data-driven business decisions. Conducted supplier portfolio reviews, new contractor
capability assessment, facility visits, commodity reviews, price negotiations, defined performance criteria and
created dashboards to monitor contract compliance.
Developed trust with direct reports and provide opportunities for development by involving them in development of
alternatives, sharing the bigger picture, and encouraging an ownership mindset. Guided the development of project
plans, process and stakeholder maps, pilot design, and best practices documentation.
Provide communication materials for various levels and needs (case building, dashboards, slide decks, one-pagers,
etc.) and conduct periodic business reviews with the leadership team.
Delivered a 3-year joint financial plan which has already doubled our business penetration and is possible because of
demonstrated owner-mindset and a partnership approach which opens doors to desired larger projects.
Senior Manager, Technology-Enabled Sourcing, 2011 2013
Drove adoption of source-to-pay systems (Ariba and SAP), by providing training and coaching to remote teams on purchasing
and technology leverage. Reported resulting cost reduction to leaders.
Designed and implemented the electronic auction program for merchandising groups: Walmart Chile, Massmart South
Africa, Walmart Mexico, Walmart Brasil, Global Security, and Private Brand negotiation.
Trained in-country teams to manage all stages of project deliverable requirements, principles of procurement and
negotiation, including RFI, RFP, Auctions. Realized 15% average cost reduction for various retail categories.
Developed and documented best practices for supplier engagement and conditioning to drive competitive bidding and
obtain maximum cost savings and consistency during purchasing events.
WENDY M. CULWELL page 2
WINN-DIXIE STORES, INC., Jacksonville, Florida
Strategic Sourcing Manager, 2008-2011
Buyer role for goods and services used in Store Operation and Logistics. Responsible for creating and implementing a
purchasing strategy resulting in liquidity and continuous cost reduction. Identified and prioritizing initiatives with the highest
ROI, managed end-to-end buying process, collaboratively managed multiple projects in matrix environment, contract
management, developed supplier performance and inventory metrics.
Record of results with an average 9.7% realized cost reduction and 5% liquidity gains as result of e-sourcing and
negotiations for commodities (Ex: plastic goods 7-12%, paper goods 30% cost reduction) and services (Ex: uniform rental 31%,
janitorial services 8%, inventory services 23% cost reduction).
Drove continuous cost and service level improvement through developing partnerships with key suppliers and the
Operations organization to identify and test alternative specifications resulting in 12% savings on food-contact stretch film;
also negotiated and launched a plastics recycling campaign with Marketing resulting in 5% increased revenue within 3
months.
Led the Private Brand launch process improvement representing 25% of food sales, by leveraging a cross-functional team
with finance and merchandising to develop item-specific financial evaluation model to determine potential ROI of new items,
item life-cycle management, clarification of roles and responsibilities matrix, and establishing process for visibility at key
product development milestones.
WAL-MART STORES, INC., Bentonville, Arkansas
Merchandise Logistics Analyst, 2008
Analyzed dry grocery categories and prepared recommendations to reconfigure the supply chain.
Evaluated the best distribution flow for direct imports as conversions from domestic to imports occurred.
Established process to identify and correct inefficient ordering patterns to reduce shipping costs.
Accessories Sourcing Manager, 2007 2008
Managed entire supplier portfolio for ladies accessories and backpacks. Negotiated price and quality to meet target margins
and improved joint planning with suppliers. Managed critical handoffs between all involved parties product design, modular,
finance, offshore teams, and vendors- to drive timely execution of conversions, advance buys, and provide program
oversight.
Trade Development Manager, 2003 2007
Generated business insights and advised senior leaders in all global trade matters. Analyzed sourcing potential and generated
briefings on trade patterns, country economics, manufacturing competencies, and efficiencies based on existing trade
agreements. Worked with consulates and local trade associations to unlock new source markets.
EDUCATION
John Brown University, Bachelor of Business Organizational Management
Utah Valley State University, Environmental Technology Management
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Dale Carnegie Course
Leadership Essentials: Leading Leaders
ADR International Strategic Sourcing Training
Harvard Negotiation & Leadership
TECHNICAL SKILLS
Analysis: Excel, Tableau, PowerPoint, Learning Power BI at the moment
Sourcing & ERP software: Ariba, SAP, Trade Extensions, Service Channel
Retail Tools: Retail Link, GRS, OMS, Host Applications, Routing, Online Item File
