Steven Alcantara

Member of cohort team documenting Buyer/Planner best practices, contributed a Max for minimum practice at P1, P2 etc. saving two to five thousand dollars across each level of proto builds in the Mid-Range Routing BU. Assigned to cross functional teams, planned and issued purchase orders for proprietary components such as PCB, ASICs, memory, allocated commodities and contract manufacturer builds to ensure supply continuity from initial Proto through Pilot plus 6 months. Worked closely with Engineering, Program Manager, Commodity Management in person or via a remote site, held weekly meetings with Contract Manufacturer both locally and in Asia to ensure the teams expectations were understood and that any product revisions were being implemented. Analyzed proto builds cost for contractual integrity, resolved any AP issues, reviewed supply partners excess and obsolete materials to confirm buying integrity, and provided input for the quarterly supplier scorecard review.

Implemented replenishment system on manufacturing floor for low-cost high usage components therefore saving time and removing 150+ SKUs from logistics’ responsibility, also presented and received approval from management to use Bi frequency thermo control units (TCU) which cut lead-times from twelve to eight weeks, reduced the number of SKUs and safety stock we traditional carried, an inventory carrying cost saving of $60,000 to $100,000. Managed Scales (table top, floor) and accessories, Thermo Control units, two to two thousand liter vessels (glass, stainless steel, ASME certified) and DeltaV software, Peripherals and rack mounts, Loaded build plan into MRP, placed purchase orders to meet build plan and rescheduled as required, managed order acknowledgements to insure OTD, escalation of supply chain issues when required, daily status meeting on risk components for upcoming builds, weekly MRB meeting, quarterly forecast and inventory analysis, resolved AP issues and tracked supplier performance.

Placed purchase orders to meet build plan, rescheduled deliveries due to changes to build starts dates, managed order acknowledgements to insure OTD, escalation of supply chain issues when required, daily status meeting on in- process and upcoming build shortages, weekly disposition meeting on non-conforming material, and resolved AP issues as needed.

Placed purchase orders for raw material needed at build start, reviewed production schedule issued change orders as needed. Supported indirect Buyer with Engineering requisitions when needed. Sent out and evaluated RFQs for best cost, also engaged with domestic and overseas supplies to procure legacy components (i.e., thru-hole components), assessed and reported on any material risk, worked with manufacturers on alternate sourcing, managed AP issues, and dispositioned any excess and obsolete material.

This was a short-term assignment as an indirect buyer. I supported the R & D and New Product Introduction engineering groups. I created purchase requisitions based off Engineering requirements, which included but not limited to raw material, mechanical tooling and Test equipment as well as service and calibration for said test equipment. I also provided component and BOM costing in support of productions releases.

Entered customer’s requirements into database, placed purchase orders for all raw materials to meet planned start date. Updated open orders and notified suppliers when needed. As well as supporting Engineering requisitions which included test equipment purchases and services such calibration. Sent out and evaluated RFQs for best costs while ensured contractual cost agreements were met if any, met with customers to discuss bills of material, material risk, alternate sources, cost drivers and scheduling. Managed AP issues and onhand excess and expired material.

Planning and purchasing of mechanical (machined, sheet-metal) components and general assembly hardware, Purchase order management, pull ins, push outs, risk mitigation, second sourcing, excess mitigation due to recent schedule changes, purchase order pushouts, cancellation requests, risk management, weekly reporting to management of any component issues affecting build schedule. Note: I began my contract at ProteinSimple on March 16, 2020, which coincides with Santa Clara county’s Shelter in Place order, my training of the company’s processes, and procedures had been via video conferencing which limited my duties to the above mentioned but are not all inclusive.

Subcontractor, Carpentry and welding construction.

Launched mid-range routing platform with an annual revenue of thirty Million dollars which consisted of 3 main boards, two daughter cards, and nine blades for First Customer Ship (FCS). Product Lifecycle management (PLM), including continuity of supply and component risk mitigation between Proto and FCS. As well as designing supply chain strategies to maximize fulfilment goals, validated supplier forward costing and reported main cost drivers and any cost reductions or cost avoidance activities to executive management. All in addition to the NPI Buyer/Planner responsibilities noted below, all to ensure a smooth transition from NPI to Mass Production

Managed Celestica’s High-profile account, Cisco Systems who later recruited me citing the good work I had provided on their account. Added customer’s bill of materials to ERP, placed purchase orders for all raw materials, PCBs, active and passive component, sheet metal, second op printing to meet build plan and managed change orders based on updated schedules. Sent out and evaluated RFQs for best cost or negotiated a lower cost to meet cost model. Met with customers to discuss bills of material, CAD drawings, material risk, alternate sources, cost drivers and scheduling. Managed AP issues and on hand excess and obsolete material.