Alexa A. Gutbrod has over 25 years of experience in purchasing, sourcing, and cost reduction. She has worked in manufacturing industries for companies like Caterpillar and Bucyrus International. Gutbrod has a proven track record of negotiating contracts that resulted in significant cost savings through initiatives like eSourcing events and vendor management programs. She also has expertise in travel management, project management, and process improvement. Gutbrod holds an Associate's Degree in Business Administration and has received training in areas like Six Sigma, negotiation skills, and total quality management.

1. Alexa A. Gutbrod (414)-331-3999 • Lexie.bear@gmail.com
BUYING AND PURCHASING PROFESSIONAL
Results-focused, quality-driven professional with extensive experience in competitive bidding, purchasing,
and negotiations within the manufacturing industry. Proven expertise in cost reduction, planning, buying, and
product development. Strategic business planning, market analysis, and trend forecasting to successfully
increase revenue, meet, and exceed organizational goals.
OVERVIEW OF SKILLS
Six Sigma Green Belt • Process Improvement • Material Sourcing • Purchasing • Negotiations & Contract Management
New Business Development • eSourcing • Vendor Management • Competitive Market Analysis
Pricing Strategy • Travel Management • Project Management • Cross-Functional Leadership • Cost Reduction Strategies
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
CATERPILLAR | 2011-2015
SITE BUYER, INDIRECT MATERIALS
Responsible for all site eSourcing events which included: Paint Kitchen Project (savings $45,000), Project Leader
Uniform Sourcing Project (savings $186,683), and Shop Towel Conversion Project (savings $159,080). Implemented,
trained, troubleshot, and liaison for ARIBA Purchasing System for all MRO items.
• Experience with SAP, BAAN, and ARIBA ordering systems
• Project Manager for Vending Conversion Program. Original implementation in 2011 saved > $200,000
• 5s training and participation on several Rapid Improvement Projects with team savings > $100,000
• Participated on contingency team for potential union strike and completed 32 special training courses in
ergonomics, safety, and inspection to support this program
BUCYRUS INTERNATIONAL | 2008-2011 (prior to purchase by Caterpillar)
TRAVEL MANAGER, BUYER/ANALYST
Developed and managed Bucyrus travel program for all US sites for domestic and international destinations. Lead role
in new Global Travel Management Program, including training, working with travel management company, airline
representatives, hotel personnel, and consolidated our suppliers to net significant savings year over year. Sole
responsibility for all purchases for the Weld and Fabrication shops.
• Managed the vehicle rental, and airline contracts/relationships
• Secured cost reductions by developing programs with local hoteliers for savings of 20-45% on spend of $455,035
locally. Fostered relationships with global suppliers to improve employee travel experience
• Collaborated with TMC to generate significant airline savings and increased perks for travelers
• Assisted in crafting the Bucyrus Global Travel Policy
• Devised blanket-order system to reduce paperwork and ensure that correct departments and accounts were
charged
• Worked with outside supplier to set up KanBan & VMI programs that included barcoding to create a savings
exceeding $ 75,000 over six shop locations
• Liaison between the Bucyrus Production Team and outside suppliers. One project generated labor and material
savings in excess of $285,000 by implementing a new painting process by utilizing the expertise of outside
suppliers, Account Manager, and our team to find a strategy which was adopted throughout our campus
• Initiated project to have used pallets picked up at no charge for recycling and terminated the contract for the
incumbent supplier for $108,000 annual savings

2. Alexa A. Gutbrod (414)-331-3999 • Lexie.bear@gmail.com
CENTRAL AQUATICS | 2005-2011
SENIOR BUYER/PLANNER
Responsible for raw material purchases and inventory for four production units. Participated in daily production meeting
with plant manager to coordinate scheduling for two shifts across three departments. Instituted stocking programs with
corrugated suppliers to reduce inventory and increase turns from 1.9 to over 20. Worked with Product Manager to source
new containers, labeling, and packaging schemes for major product launch and rebranding including more than 60 new
SKUs, released to market in under five months. Listed as co-inventor on patent application submitted for new package
design. Key user and trainer for SAP system implementation. Accountable for product rationalization and all purchases
when affiliates were relocated and absorbed into our facility.
• Decreased safety stock of Asian product by 50% and saved $56,000.00 resourcing pallets, a 10% reduction.
• Created vendor managed inventory with key plastics suppliers
• Cost reduction in commodity products and improved supplier relationships totaling in >$350,000.00 in 2006 and
comparable savings for 2007
• Negotiated annual glass contract from proposed 10% increase to 2.5% decrease totaling $89,000.00 savings
MESSER-EUTECTIC, Welding Product Division | 1990-2005
PURCHASING AGENT
Accountable for major raw material sourcing and planning for stainless steel, aluminium and nickel wire, packaging
materials, minerals, and capitol expenditures to support private label, distributor, export, and direct business. Sole
purchasing and planning responsibility for National Retail Welding Program. Assimilated all raw materials from Eutectic
acquisition into Messer inventory. Sourced raw products, assisted in package design and function in Buyer/Planner
capacity for 100+ item retail welding program. Division representative for Global Benchmarking Team for raw materials.
Negotiated cash discounts and/or extended payment terms. Responsible for Purchasing Department in Messer's successful
ISO 9002 and 9003 Certification. Internal ISO Auditor.
• Primary purchasing contact with consultants for implementation of new MRP enhancement program poised to
add additional savings in inventory reduction
• Previous savings in excess of $400,000.00 equating to 5% total over purchased goods.
• 2003 savings exceeded $400,000 over $14,000,000 in purchases or 2.5%. 2003 YTD has yielded over $93,000.00
• Negotiated and administered $2,000,000.00 stainless steel consignment program with savings of 15% to 30% over
previous source
• 2004 consignment contract resulted in savings in inventory reductions exceeding $60,000.00 per month
EDUCATION & TRAINING
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN, OSHKOSH
PROSPECT HALL BUSINESS COLLEGE, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Associates Degree, Business Administration
CONTINUTING EDUCATION AND SEMINARS
• Karras Negotiation Skills
• Management Certificate Series, UW Madison
• Total Quality Training Program,
• The New Manager

3. Alexa A. Gutbrod (414)-331-3999 • Lexie.bear@gmail.com
• Many training courses through Caterpillar’s Continued Learning Program