Achal Patel

About Achal Patel

As a dedicated and results-oriented supply chain professional, I bring over three years of experience in optimizing procurement processes, enhancing inventory management, and fostering strategic partnerships with industry-leading clients. My expertise is backed by a Master’s degree in Operations Research from Northeastern University, where I honed my skills in demand forecasting, vendor negotiation, and strategic planning.Currently, I serve as an Associate Buyer at Cedar’s Mediterranean Food Inc, where I lead the strategic development of supplier relationships and streamline procurement processes. My proactive approach has resulted in significant cost savings, improved on-time delivery rates, and enhanced data accuracy, driving continuous process improvement.Throughout my career, I have successfully collaborated with prominent clients like Walmart, BJ\'s, Sabra, Aldi, and Panera Bread, delivering tailored supply chain solutions that meet specific requirements. My analytical acumen is supported by proficiency in ERP tools, Power BI, Advanced Excel, Tableau, SAP, Python, and R, ensuring data-driven decision-making and operational efficiency.

Experience

1. Associate Buyer

   Cedar's Foods

   Jul 2023 — Present · Haverhill, MA, US

   Supplier Relationship Management: Fostered supplier relationships by establishing performance metrics and negotiating favorable pricing terms, achieving a 95% satisfaction rate through proactive quality assurance.•Procurement Workflow Optimization: Streamlined procurement processes for 100+ SKUs, reducing lead times and storage costs by 15% through improved coordination and process efficiency.•Order Management & Logistics Coordination: Directed the end-to-end lifecycle of purchase orders, expedited shipments, and resolved transportation bottlenecks, driving a 10% improvement in on-time deliveries.•Inventory Cost Optimization: Designed and implemented a min-max inventory system leveraging standard deviation analysis, leading to a 15% reduction in capital utilization and enhanced inventory control.•Quality Assurance Resolution: Collaborated with quality teams to address discrepancies, ensuring defective items were removed from circulation and replaced, preserving product integrity and compliance.•ERP Data Maintenance: Improved operational efficiency by maintaining purchase order records in NAV Vision, updating factory data, quantities, and pricing, resulting in a 25% increase in data accuracy.•Cross-Functional Collaboration for: Worked closely with Production and Sales Managers to execute special order strategies and reduce aged inventory, cutting obsolete stock levels by 10%.•Contract Negotiation & Price Analysis: Conducted price analysis to identify cost-saving opportunities and successfully negotiated contracts with suppliers, ensuring optimal pricing and reducing procurement expenses

Education

• Northeastern University

  Master of Science - MS, Operations Research

• Vellore Institute of Technology

  Bachelor of Engineering - BE, Chemical Engineering