Irene Masui, MBA

Crafts and executes supply chain strategies to optimize customer satisfaction and minimize costs. Prepares planning system for new product launch; tracks and provides updates on key milestones and deliverables. Reviews, recommends, and negotiates service contracts, quotes, terms and conditions, and other agreements concerning the company’s business goals and guidelines. Oversees and manages the 3PL warehouses, co-packers, and factory relationships to ensure orders are processed timely and accurately. Prepares month-end reports and reconciles variances.

Worked closely with R&D and marketing to support new product developments, identified, or generated cost savings initiates, and supported implementation within aggressive timelines. Prepared requests for quotations (RFQs/RFPs), analyzed supplier’s responses, negotiated pricing, and confirmed purchase orders within budgetary limitations and scope of authority. Created weekly production schedules based on inventory availability and customer service goals/targets. Maintained optimal raw/packaging material inventory level through the correct use of planning and inventory parameters. Suggested and implemented procurement methods (Reorder Point, reducing lead times, or schedules releases) based on part characteristics, supplier, and demand to optimize material velocity and availability. Identified risks to on-time delivery, drive countermeasures, and communicated/escalated risk and countermeasures to leadership.

Developed sourcing strategies, and determined alternative sources of supply to ensure continuity, quality consistency, and competitive pricing. Responsible for $30 million in annual purchases from suppliers in China, Taiwan, Colombia, Mexico, Brazil, Ireland, India, Canada, USA. Conducted supplier site visits evaluating factories to their production, capacity, performance, and quality capabilities. Engaged in new product development process, from concept to development through production, to ensure timings, pricing, and quality targets were met. Directly assisted in logistics of goods between factories and national retailers such as Sam’s, BJ’s, Wal-Mart, Costco, and Family Dollar among others.

Reviewed historical sales trends, and interacted with sales, marketing customers, and finance to understand the demand drivers and incorporate them into the demand plan. Partnered with the product marketing team to develop supply strategies specific to each product’s lifecycle maturity and promotional activity. Accountable for achieving in-stock % and days of supply targets.

Processed POs and documents and maintained system records. Followed up on orders with suppliers and updated shipment status. Resolved quality or delivery disputes with suppliers, also monitored returns to ensure all documentation and credits were completed. In charge of purchasing from domestic suppliers including Kikkoman, Vitasoy, Panasonic, Japan Tiger, Nishimoto, JFC, and more.