This document is a resume for Justin Sowa seeking a position as a strategic sourcing or commodity manager. It summarizes his experience developing purchasing strategies that generated multimillion dollar savings for global manufacturers. As a sourcing manager and category manager, he has experience leading teams, developing strong supplier relationships, and implementing strategies that optimized costs, quality, and efficiency across organizations. His resume highlights specific successes in cost reduction, contract negotiation, and process improvement for various employers in the manufacturing industry.

1. 2548 Canterbury Road  Cleveland Heights OH 44118  414.469.9150  sowa.justin@gmail.com
STRATEGIC SOURCING / COMMODITY MANAGER
Accomplished in designing ground-breaking purchasing strategies for multinational,
billion-dollar manufacturers. Exceptionally well-versed in all aspects of strategic
purchasing with strong track record of generating multimillion-dollar revenue savings
and expanding profitmargins. Experienced in development, mentoring, and leadership
of top-performing teams. Dedicated to inventory optimization, manufacturing quality,
corporate profitability, and staff motivation. Positive relations with suppliers across 4
different continents while spearheading critical corporate initiatives.
Core Competencies
 Adaptive & Strategic Planning
 Supplier Relations & Negotiations
 Cross-Cultural Communications
 Efficient Organizational Structures
 Policy & Procedure Development
 Material Quality Enhancement
 Cross-Functional Team Leadership
 Waste & Cost Minimization
 Global Project Management
 Purchasing & Procurement
 Strategic Savings Initiatives
 Staff Management & Training
 Team Building & Motivation
 Cost Review & Benchmarking
 Multi-Million-Dollar Contracts
 Y-o-Y Cost Savings
 Risk Mitigation
 Productivity Improvement
 Systems Implementation
 Process Standardization
 Contract Restructuring
Career Success
DIEBOLD NIXDORF, North Cantorn, Ohio 2016 to Present
Drives connected commerce & consumer centric solutions within the banking, retail, postal & service station sectors.
Sourcing Manager – Electromechanical: Temporary assignment assisting with merger of Diebold and Wincor Nixdorf.
BENDIX COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SYSTEMS, Elyria, Ohio 2013 to 2016
A $1 billion subsidiary of the Knorr-Bremse Group, the €6 billion global leader in transportation technologies, Bendix has 2,000+
dedicated employees throughout North America.
Regional Category Manager – Aluminum
Strategized entire aluminum category for North America, devising high-impact plans for all product lines. Designed comprehensive
global supply base to fulfill all requirements. Drove cross-functional teamof Supplier Development Engineers, Product LineDirectors,
and a Tactical Buyer to peak performance levels. Visited suppliers throughout Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and North America.
Maximized efficiency by introducing significant process improvements and best practices.
Controlled $50 million spend for die castaluminum parts,sand castings,and zinc die castings. Continually identified and capitalized
on cost-saving opportunities and ensured lowest transportation costs across 4 plants. Deftly negotiated supplier contracts and
researched best market/supplier options. Worked with all key stakeholders across matrix organization including costmodeling team
to assess validity of price changes and optimized currency risk sharing ratios to stabilize costs.
 Implemented cost savings of $2.5 million; expanded pipeline 300% through negotiation, resourcing, and value analysis /
value engineering (VA/VE). On track to save additional $1.25 million in 2017.
 Avoided $200,000 in unnecessary costs by implementing freight term changes with 3 key Chinese suppliers. Consolidated
number of North American suppliers from 30 to 21.
 Retained partnership with key supplier who threatened to raise prices by $1 million. Convinced supplier to rescind price
increase and business cancellation threat by leveraging exceptional communication skills.
 Clarified modification costs and ensured seamless transfers to new suppliers by creating tool transfer checklist, which
included partlists and 3D drawings of all tools. Wrote Aluminum Category White Paper to increase stakeholder knowledge.
 Achieved unprecedented results while saving project that lacked feasible design. Beat productdelivery deadlineby 2 weeks
after onboarding best-in-class supplier that created approved design/samples.
 Prevented supply disruptions while managing 6 supplier insolvencies. Minimized production and payment issues by
proactively communicating with insolvent/bankrupt suppliers; developed effective contingency plans.
MEGGITT AIRCRAFT BRAKING SYSTEMS, Akron, Ohio 2012 to 2013
A $400 million division of Meggitt PLC, a £1.6 billion global company specializing in aircraft systems.
Senior Buyer – Strategic Sourcing, New Product Introduction
Created and implemented high-impact sourcing strategies while overseeing sourcing activities for Line Replaceable Units (LRU).
Negotiated million-dollar contracts with LRUsuppliers,visitingfacilities in Los Angeles,Singapore,Malaysia,and Thailand. Represented
Procurement Department in new product introduction teams.
JUSTIN SOWA, CPSM, C.P.M.
Saved $2.5 Million Year-Over-Year
Consolidated 15 Suppliers into 2
Cut 10% of $25 Million Spend

2. JUSTIN SOWA, CPSM, C.P.M., PAGE 2 414.469.9150  sowa.justin@gmail.com
 Facilitated critical "40 by 14" initiative, reducing implementation time by 9 months. Better positioned company to move
40% of addressablespend to cost-effective countries by 2014 by tappinginto 10% of spend that was unrestricted, based on
ITAR regulations. Transferred data into user-friendly format after introducing project tracking system.
 Brought LRU sourcing for Bombardier Global 7000/8000 program from 3 months behind to 6 months ahead of schedule.
 Safeguarded company from liabilities by rewriting general agreement terms. Mitigated risks and controlled costs by adding
warranty/indemnification protections to contracts.
KOHLER CO., Kohler, Wisconsin 2010 to 2012
Multibillion-dollar manufacturer of plumbing products, furniture, cabinetry, tile, engines, and generators.
Global Category Coordinator / Senior Buyer – Strategic Sourcing
Whileworking in Global Faucets,a $450 million business unit,supported plants in North America, Asia, Europe, and the Middl eEast.
Managed multiplecommodities whileservinginternal customers across thecompany.Acted as pointof escalation for supplier delivery
issues.Negotiated pricing/freightcontracts whilevisitingglobal supply base. Controlled $25 million spend for hoses,plastic injection
molding, plastic resin, colorant, rubber, fasteners, and drains.
 Consolidated 15 global suppliers into 2 suppliers capable of passing all required tests. Obtained competitive pricingfor all
locations and opened local manufacturing opportunities i n China and Europe.
 Implemented projects resulting in $2.5 million in cost reduction, representing 10% of total spend, with strategic sourcing
process, supplier transitions, and VA/VE. Employed 5-step strategy development process.
 Inherited and successfully completed difficult negotiations whilemitigatingexposure to liability.Increased productliability
coverage, warranty requirements, and cost-reductions. Authored white paper for hose category to demonstrate impact of
effective company strategies/communications.
WISCONSIN PHARMACAL CO., Jackson, Wisconsin 2008 to 2009
Manufacturer of over-the-counter creams and jells producing $20 million in annual revenue from a single facility in Wisconsin.
Purchasing Manager
Expertly directed company's purchasing activities whileoptimizinginventory of multiplewarehouses, selectingsuppliers,negotiating
lower prices, and supervising 1 buyer. Managed $12 million purchasing volume for packaging and chemical categories.
 Generated $375,000 in annual savings by reducing inventory 25%. Gained approval for Kanban programs and drove correct
demand for materials. Designed supplier manual.
 Negotiated $200,000 in cost savings through contracts with chemical and corrugated suppliers.
SEATS, INC., Reedsburg, WI 2006 to 2008
Manufacturer of aftermarket truck, lawn, garden, and military vehicle seating products generating $75 million in yearly revenue.
Senior Buyer
Handled all rawmaterial purchasing,managing$10 million spend for sheet/coil steel, steel tubing, powder coating,industrial fabrics,
and gases. Analyzed/generated requests for quotes (RFQ), negotiated final contracts, and developed global supply base. Conduc ted
quality audits based on ISO 9001:2000 standards for both domestic and international suppliers. Supervised global sourcing team.
 Saved $600,000 byslashing operational expenses 6%. Spearheaded global sourcingproject,revamped steel biddingprocess,
and strategically negotiated contracts for $150,000 additional reduction.
 Developed and delivered 4-part seminar demonstrating industry best practices in global sourcing.
Past success as International Procurement Agent at Asian Business Consultants (2002 to 2006). Achieved 15%-40% cost reductions for
clients and increased on-time product delivery from 85% to 92%.
Education | Training | Affiliations | Honors
Education: Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Louisiana StateUniversity
Training: 5S; Global Business Conference; Crucial Conversations;Emotional Intelligence; JIT; Strategic Sourcing; Lean Six Sigma
Affiliation: PurchasingManagers Association of Cleveland (PMAC)
Honors: Kohler Spot Bonus for Strategy Development in the Fastener Category
Bendix Global PurchasingExcellenceReward
Recognition for Meeting Cost and Delivery Objectives of the Daimler Modular Compressor Program