1. Hello,
My name is Richard Rafdahl and I have over 25 years of diverse procurement and supply chain management experience focused on
providing significant financial improvement with every organization and client I have had the privilege to work with. I would like to
briefly introduce myself and share with you my experience, qualifications and expertise which would match and compliment the
opportunity that is available. In addition to reviewing the attached resume, I hope you read the following and consider the value I
would provide to your organization.
Conceiving, developing and executing smart strategic initiatives that drive business efficiencies, responsible cost savings and margin
growth are what I am best at. Throughout my career, in senior executive procurement positions within diverse industries, I have
effectively succeeded in managing complex business initiatives while achieving exceptional results. Some examples of the business
initiatives and results are:
• As the founder of Cost Reduction Specialists I have assisted numerous organizations improve their profitability by
identifying “best in class” suppliers and securing intelligent, comprehensive and responsible cost savings within a variety of
expense and service areas. My clients range from large manufacturers, food processors, distributors, colleges and
municipalities.
• As a procurement consultant, I developed a strategic procurement team that focused on “best in class” sourcing,
comprehensive negotiations and value improvement with many different direct and indirect products and services for
various organizations. This team has assisted in saving my clients many millions of dollars and significantly improved their
financial position while educating internal safe of best practices.
• In my former role as VP of Procurement for 14 years with several organizations, my staff and I routinely exceeded our
financial and purchasing objectives each year. I also have years of team experience working with various C-level executives
as well as middle management and staff.
• As an executive procurement officer, I evaluated, identified and established long term relationships with key national and
international suppliers which provided the best value and performance available. This included routinely traveling to
Europe, Asia and Middle East in search of new supplier and product opportunities while maintaining existing programs.
• Developed Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for Procurement Department as well as Suppliers Community which provided
clarity regarding expectations and improved the performance standards and results for all.
• Led the development and improved performance of a 20 person purchasing and inventory management staff which
effectively reduced costs, increased turns by 50% while expanding international sourcing which accounted for significant
financial improvement for the organization.
• Recognized, researched and implemented a state of the art inventory management system which contributed to increased
inventory turns, timely replenishment control and supplier performance tracking.
I am confident in my ability to exceed your expectations with sourcing, negotiating, cost savings and process improvement and hope
you will consider my skills and expertise on a consultant basis.
Sincerely,
Richard Rafdahl
847-844-0484