Open to opportunities

Lawanda Herring

@lawandaherring

Message

Procurement and buyer professional with 10+ years driving cost reduction and supplier performance.

United States

Message

What I'm looking for

I’m looking for a buyer/procurement role in high-volume manufacturing where I can drive cost reduction, validate supplier pricing, manage purchase orders and suppliers, and use ERP and KPI reporting to improve procurement efficiency and production continuity.

I’m a Buyer and purchasing professional with 10+ years of experience in procurement, supplier management, cost/value analysis, and material planning for high-volume manufacturing. I’m known for purchase order management, strategic sourcing support, and ERP-driven procurement that keeps production continuity moving.

I focus on cost reduction through supplier pricing validation, pricing analysis, and standard cost/variance work—while maintaining quality and compliance. I consistently support SOX and internal audit requirements, including purchasing and order accuracy processes, and I handle export compliance in supplier relationships.

I bring hands-on experience across SAP, Oracle ERP, AS400, and MRP, plus reporting with Power BI, Tableau, and advanced Excel. With an MBA and training in supply chain principles, cost accounting, and analytics, I partner cross-functionally to optimize inventory, improve workflows, and elevate vendor performance using clear KPIs and dashboards.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Buyer / Senior Accountant

Chromalloy

Jan 2024 - Jan 2025 (1 year)

Managed supplier pricing validation, purchase orders, and cost analysis for aerospace manufacturing operations. Ensured SOX and internal audit compliance and identified supplier cost-reduction opportunities while maintaining quality and production continuity.

Purchase Order Management Supplier Pricing Validation Cost Variance Analysis SOX Compliance Vendor Management Procurement Analytics

Buyer / Program Project Coordinator

Novelis

Jan 2022 - Jan 2024 (2 years)

Validated supplier pricing and purchase agreements and investigated cost discrepancies with sourcing and finance. Built KPI dashboards to track vendor performance and supported SOX and internal audits to improve purchase order workflows and procurement efficiency.

Supplier Pricing Validation Cost Discrepancy Investigation KPIs Vendor Performance Management Procurement Workflow Improvement

Material Planning Analyst / Buyer Support

Caterpillar Inc.

Jan 2019 - Jan 2021 (2 years)

Created and managed purchase orders for 10,000+ components to support high-production manufacturing. Monitored supplier performance and delivery schedules, performed cost and inventory optimization, and supported ERP-based MRP purchasing and production planning.

Purchase Order Management MRP Supplier Performance Cost Analysis Inventory Optimization Material Planning

Senior Customer Management Representative

Chromalloy

Jan 2011 - Jan 2019 (8 years)

Procured aviation repair parts by managing supplier relationships, lead times, and cost efficiency. Negotiated pricing, sourced alternative suppliers, ensured export and internal procurement policy compliance, and supported production planning and inventory control for high-demand manufacturing.

Procurement Of Repair Parts Supplier Relationship Management Pricing Negotiation Lead Time Management Export Compliance Inventory Control Production Planning