Dave Larson

Senior Buyer / Inventory Analyst HIred to take over brands managed by the company President so he could focus on the big picture. Took on Inventory Analyst role in 2020 with focus on company goals of maintaining high fill rate, turning inventory 3-4 times/year and maximizing margin. Promoted to Purchasing Manager in 2021 where I manage a team of 11 buyers including 2 above me in company structure. Key Contributions: - Initiated a new purchasing strategy focused on front-loading inventory and investing more dollars to achieve higher fill rate. - Company leading Sr Buyer with focus on strong relationships, revenue growth and brand product line representation. - Successfully managed team through extreme growth during the pandemic boom and limited overstock exposure as sales slowed. - Pioneered obsolete inventory reporting and strategy to eliminate it. - Developed improvements to ordering software that enables buyers to make more informed decisions. - Work closely with IT to improve reporting that provides ETA and product rationing information to our dealers, customer service and sales team. This was especially helpful during the covid bike boom.

At Quality Bicycle Products, I advanced up through the ranks to Senior Buyer; charged with managing 4 major accounts valued at $14M annual sales, including 1 Top 10 account and 3 in Top 30. I managed vendor relations, product management, forecasting/inventory management with emphasis on fill rates > 95% across 4 DCs, open-to-buy targets, and marketing via company website. I also oversaw > 4,000 SKUs across tires, wheel components, saddles, pedals, and cockpit components. Key Contributions: • Assumed accountability for one of company’s largest vendors and grew sales 70% in < 4 years by greatly expanding product offerings and updating forecasting and inventory strategy. • Supported vendors in product management by providing expert advice on emerging markets and declining markets to help drive strategic planning and decision-making. • Drove vendor growth that has outpaced company’s overall growth by 2X to 3X in recent years. • Partnered with vendor-side Director of Sales to boost sales by 340% over 14 years. • Served as Interbike trade show representative for 15 years; attended vendor meetings for past 14 years.

At Trek, I partnered with an Outside Sales Representative to drive sales across 2 assigned territories. Key Contributions: • Collaborated to provide customers with world-class service and to meet or exceed all monthly sales goals throughout tenure. • Fielded heavy incoming & outgoing call volume, order entry, and warranty processing.

In this early career role, I performed as a manufacturer’s representative for presence-sensing devices such as pressure-sensitive safety mats, safety light curtains, and safety switches. I partnered with distributors for sales to automotive companies such as Chrysler and Ford as well as their parts and assembly suppliers. I sold directly to OEMs. I also drove inside sales, input orders, prepared quotes with AutoCAD drawings, and liaised with vendors, distributors, and end users. I represented company at industry trade shows. Key Contributions: • Developed and introduced new returned goods follow-up protocol to keep distributors updated with common problems reported by end users. • Drove cost-savings effort for major OEM by transitioning them from custom safety mats to standard-sized mats. • Assembled light guard demo units for use by outside sales, which boosted sales efforts. • Participated in accounting, shipping, and inventory monitoring.

As head mechanic, I was responsible for performing everything from minor repairs to complete overhauls and wheel builds. I also helped with bicycle sales and fitness equipment assembly. I volunteered my mechanic skills at the MS150 and Ironman events.

Our office was responsible for tele-fundraising and providing members with campaign updates. I gained a vast knowledge of environmental issues, and I grew into a consistent fundraiser.

Earning a college degree was an expectation in my family and it was something I wanted for myself as well. I didn't have a course of study in mind until I took my first class in Communications and was drawn to it. My focus was in Speech Communication and this was something I took on as a challenge to myself. Public speaking was always difficult for me as I was a shy person when growing up and had great difficulty giving book reports and presenting to the class in my Junior High and High School years. These courses helped me grow as a person and helped me to become far more comfortable speaking in front of groups.