James Brecht
Building Products Merchant
Outlook,SK
Summary
Managing professional with more than 35 years experience in junior and senior management levels, in multiple industries. Results driven, detail oriented, team focused manager, with entrepreneurial spirit. Consistently demonstrating the skills and knowledge to exceed expectations, in planning, organizing, leading, and controlling.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
7
7
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Language
Work History
Building Products Merchant
Federated Co-operatives
05.2019 - Current
- Primary lead for lumber and building materials (LBM) commodity products for the CRS.
- Built and continuously developing the infrastructure, processes, tools and teams to enable central purchasing of LBM commodities and mobilizing the CRS to effectively use the centralized approach.
- Broadening commodity procurement channels through strategic relationship management with producers, mills, re-manufacturers, brokers, traders and wholesalers to ensure the best opportunities are available to the CRS.
- Built and developed data acquisition, analysis and refinement to manage commodity market insights and decision making.
- Built and developed data acquisition, analysis and refinement to gain valuable customer insights and make data based decisions on program development, inventory management and HUB operations.
- Presenting and interpreting markets dynamics to CRS teams and local Coops to assist in commodity decision making and business planning.
- Securing and managing lumber, panels, and EWP programs, contracts and cash opportunities for direct to store and commodity HUB facilities.
- Working closely with vendor base to manage system requirements at the best available cost and service alignment.
- Developed and managing the systems, process, and teams to successfully execute seasonal and non-seasonal block buy programs.
- Reporting to leadership through data analytics and interpretation for business analysis and strategic development of initiatives to grow LBM in the CRS.
- Developing and delivering multiple strategic presentations to local Coops and HABS leadership supporting LBM business development and execution.
- Coaching and guiding the Building Products Support team in implementing protocols and standard operating procedures.
- Recruitment, training and staff development to align with FCL employment vision and goals.
- Engage with LBM Zone teams to support the LBM commodity goals at the local Coops.
- Performed regular competitor analysis to stay informed about industry trends and adjust strategies accordingly.
- Streamlined inventory management tasks for increased efficiency and accuracy.
- Conducted market research to identify trends, enabling introduction of in-demand products.
- Enhanced team's product knowledge through regular training sessions, leading to better customer service and increased sales.
- Increased sales by negotiating favorable terms with suppliers, ensuring competitive edge in market.
- Analyzed sales data to identify underperforming products, making strategic decisions on inventory in commodity HUBs.
- Enhanced customer engagement by implementing feedback system, leading to service improvements and higher satisfaction rates.
- Managed inventory levels effectively, reducing overhead costs and minimizing waste in commodity HUBs.
- Compiled and analyzed data to determine approaches to improve sales and performance.
- Collaborated with upper management to implement continuous improvements and exceed team goals.
Managing partner
SBSI
01.2003 - 05.2019
- Reporting to ownership group:
- Introduced new products and lines to compliment existing business and increase revenue
- Created and developed engineered wood, estimating/design department, increasing corporate revenue by 25%
- Introduced and developed new communication standards, and effectiveness through the introduction of software and human systems, to augment existing legacy systems
- Increased client confidence with real-time, client focused Customerrelationship Management (CRM) principles
- Guided new initiatives in existing markets, to increase market share, while maintaining existing customer satisfaction
- Worked with other managing partners, to achieve financial goals, prescribed by the ownership group, through cost control, asset acquisition, budgeting, inventory management, sales management, marketing, and brand identity
Assistant manager (Lumber department)
Drumheller Co-op (Home and Ag Center)
01.2002 - 01.2003
- Reporting to the lumber department manager:
- Introduced and developed, estimating and design into and existing lumber division
- Managed staff, through hiring, training, and developing, new and existing employees
- Purchasing, and inventory management, both commodity and consumer lines
- Department budgeting, cost management, asset management
IT and inventory control systems
Drumheller Co-op
01.2000 - 01.2002
- Reporting to the General Manager:
- Installed and implemented POS and electronic inventory management system for the Home and Ag center
- Networking installation and administration, including POS training and development
- Established standards and protocols for information systems
- Data entry, and management, meshing electronic systems with traditional paper systems, for all departments in the Home and Ag Center
- Inventory management and GL entry
Manager
Drumheller Co-op (Scratch Bakery/Deli)
01.1997 - 01.2000
- Reporting to the General Manager:
- Day to day operation of a scratch bakery and full service deli in a vibrant and productive food store
- Staff management, including performance appraisals, hiring, training and development
- Budgeting, cost control, inventory management
- New product development from concept to ready to sell
- Marketing, promotion, and brand development
General Merchandise Assistant Manager
Drumheller Co-op (Home and Ag Center)
01.1995 - 01.1997
- Reporting to the Hardware Manager:
- Staff management, including scheduling, training, and development
- Inventory management, including purchasing, planograms, merchandising, sale (flyer) management
- Product development and promotion
Education
Grade twelve diploma with honors -
Delisle Composite High School
09.1980 - 06.1984
2-years - pre-journalism majoring in English, minor in Economics, English literature major, minor in history
University of Saskatchewan
09.1984 - 05.1988
Skills
Microsoft Office (Word)
Microsoft Office (Excel)
Microsoft Office (Power Point)
Microsoft Office (Access)
Microsoft Office (Outlook)
Trello
Autocad
sketchup
BC-calc
saphire
structural design
File management
networking
computer systems
Cost control
budgeting
reporting
financial analysis
Sales
marketing
branding
promotion
Sales management
CRM
team building
Timeline
Building Products Merchant
Federated Co-operatives
05.2019 - Current
Managing partner
SBSI
01.2003 - 05.2019
Assistant manager (Lumber department)
Drumheller Co-op (Home and Ag Center)
01.2002 - 01.2003
IT and inventory control systems
Drumheller Co-op
01.2000 - 01.2002
Manager
Drumheller Co-op (Scratch Bakery/Deli)
01.1997 - 01.2000
General Merchandise Assistant Manager
Drumheller Co-op (Home and Ag Center)
01.1995 - 01.1997
2-years - pre-journalism majoring in English, minor in Economics, English literature major, minor in history
University of Saskatchewan
09.1984 - 05.1988
Grade twelve diploma with honors -
Delisle Composite High School
09.1980 - 06.1984
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