JOHN R SMITH

510 Meadow View Lane
Manakin Sabot, VA 23103

Home: (804) 784-4346

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SUMMARY

A senior-level logistics and transportation professional with extensive experience in all areas of logistics including domestic and international transportation, building alliances with key 3^rd-party logistics providers, and implementing strategic initiatives that drive increased bottom line performance. Proven success in building effective relationships and engaging business units in progressively more professional and effective logistics practices. Participative management style tied to strong business and work ethic.

EXPERIENCE

MeadWestvaco

1968–2004

As Director of Logistics, provided Logistics direction and support for a leading global producer of packaging, papers, consumer and office products, and specialty chemicals.  Responsible for $450 million annually in transportation expenditures, including rail, truck, export, air freight, rail fleet management, and hazardous materials. 

Strong experience in improving productivity and in the use of outsourcing.  Expertise in strategic planning, project management, and cost reduction.  Possess broad-based industry knowledge. Hands-on, energetic, results-oriented team player with a track record of significant accomplishments.  Possess excellent problem solving skills, working effectively in complex environments. 

Leadership 

• Successfully led the Logistics integration during the merger of two large corporations.  As Director of Logistics Integration formulated policy and best practices.  Led functional teams to rationalize corporate and field organizations. Led modal teams to negotiate new contracts with motor, rail, and ocean carriers resulting in cost savings of $8.6 million and cost avoidances of $30.4 million.  The merged organization has 13 paper mills and 82 converting plants throughout the world.  The U.S. transportation spend is $450 million.
• Champion of the Logistics function on SAP implementation team.
• Participated in the Inventory Diagnostic Team, a six sigma process team, developing methodology for inventory cost evaluation and facilitating future inventory decisions.
• Led the Inventory Cost Implementation Team, which concluded with new inventory cost report.
• Leader of Westvaco’s Logistics Strategic Review Team, formulating logistics policy for the company.
• Participating on a company-wide Core Carrier Team focused on consolidation of the motor carrier base to achieve lower costs and improved services.  Current spend is $200 million with 250 motor carriers. Goal is a 5% cost reduction and a 50% carrier reduction.
• Provide opportunity and career development paths for personnel.

Operational Improvements

• Improved markedly the performance in providing timely documentation on export shipments by establishing targets and metrics.  On-time performance improved from 35% to 92.5 %.
• Resolved long standing rail demurrage bill issue through a change of process resulting in a cost reduction of $271,000.
• Instituted On-time delivery report as a metric for carrier performance.
• Successfully implemented use of rail boxcars for shipments to Mexico, resulting in better service, reduced damage, and reducing costs by $400,000.
• Initiated changes to work process for load planning resulting in more effective transportation planning and an increase in on time shipments to our customers.

Process Improvements

• Improved freight damage claims process resulting is recovery of $985,000.
• Resolved significant air freight issues with change of air freight process and procedure.
• Developed uniform Damage Reporting form, Daily Report, and Trailer Inspection Form which are being used across the division.
• Improved trailer inspection process at paper mills reducing safety incidents by 80%.
• Implemented ISO 9000 Quality process within business unit with auditor approval on first evaluation.
• Initiated trailer pool at mill location resulting in more efficient trailer loading and increased motor carrier capacity.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

MBA, Business, Monmouth College, West Long Branch, NJ
B.S., Business Management, Fairleigh, Dickinson University, Rutherford, NJ

Numerous transportation, logistics and management programs, conferences and seminars.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Commissioner on the Port of Richmond, VA Commission

Member of the National Industrial Transportation League

Member of the Board of Directors of the Council of Logistics Management, Richmond, VA

Past Chairman of the American Forest and Paper Association’s Transportation Committee

Past President of the Pulp and Paper Transportation League

Licensed to practice before the Interstate Commerce Commission

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