1. JULIE SJUTS
2707 Scarborough Street
Bloomington, IL 61705 Cell: (217) 377-5210
Career Summary:
Supply Chain Management expert in the manufacturing sector with 20+ years of successful
experience in all areas of procurement and logistics management including supplier cost
improvement programs, supplier development, project management, budgeting, strategic
planning and management reporting. A highly motivated and skilled decision maker with the
energy, attitude, and the experience required to assess problems and implement solutions.
Possess ability to direct multiple resources in remote locations to achieve optimal results.
Major Accomplishments:
• Successfully implemented purchasing practices and technology in alignment with global
objectives for NAFTA’s direct and indirect spend improving purchasing efficiencies, strategic
sourcing with bottom line results, reporting directly to the business unit stakeholders.
• Led a global cross functional team to capitalize on savings opportunities in packaging. The
team succeeded in achieving annualized savings of 1.9M capturing global spend of $21M.
• Developed Purchasing Policies and Procedures with internal audit to ensure departmental
compliance to ISO 9001-2000 and ISO 14000 standards.
Professional Experiences:
VESUVIUS, Champaign, IL 1992 – 2011
Global Producer of Technical Refractories for the Molten Metals Industries, (net sales
2.5B, 12,000+ employees with 80 manufacturing facilities in 30 countries)
NAFTA Purchasing & Logistics Director (2008-2011)
• Responsible for managing a staff of 9 direct reports (strategic and tactical) with an annual
spend of $145M covering various commodities (Steel, Auxiliary Components, Packaging,
MRO, Resale, Regional Raw Materials, Travel, Energy, Communication and Services) for
multiple manufacturing operations, research labs, warehouses and administrative office sites
located in the U.S., Mexico and Canada
• Achieved total savings/cost avoidance of $3.3M over 3 year period (2009-2011) exceeding
budget by10%
• Directed the successful implementation of a 3rd
party consolidated MRO program to capitalize
on savings opportunities, improved spend visibility with detailed tracking/usage reporting
utilizing a web based portal. Achieved annualized savings of 1.4M which exceeded targeted
savings of 5% on 20M spend
• Surpassed planned savings objectives related to integration of Foseco and Vesuvius with
achieved annual savings of $185K for the master filter plant located in Cleveland
• Designed an automated global price change notification process to eliminate data entry
resulting in reduction of invoice variances to <.05% of dollars vouched
• Managed all domestic tolling operations with an annual spend of $1.3M with reported savings
of $180K
NAFTA Strategic Purchasing Manager (2005 – 2007)
• Coordinated the Capital Expenditure procurement activities with Manufacturing and Project
Engineers. Negotiated and awarded contracts up to $20M annually and assisted in global
capital negotiations where synergies existed
• Identified and implemented innovative cost savings purchasing initiatives for all types of
packaging materials in the NAFTA region

2. • Implemented and managed National Plant mobile equipment Leasing Program with fleet
of 100+ units with an annualized spend of $950K. Reduced fleet size by 15% optimizing
efficiency with achieved cost savings results
US Purchasing Manager (2002 – 2004)
• Established the centralized purchasing function necessitated due to the implementation of an
ERP system (JD Edwards). This included hiring and training 10+ Local Buyers who
procured the direct and indirect spend for 13 manufacturing plants and numerous warehouse
and consignment locations. Provided mentoring and guidance to ensure talent development
• Drove continuous process improvements and eliminated non value added activities which
resulted in a 45% staff reduction supporting consolidation of manufacturing operations
• Implemented a NAFTA procurement card program including sourcing original service
provider and program management. Grew program to 10M with an annual rebate of $90K.
Was later used as example of “best practice” in the organization and reviewed for feasibility of
global implementation
Corporate Logistics Agent (1999 – 2002)
• Defined JDE logistics “Super User” providing design input for the transportation module.
Established KPI’s to measure on time pickup and delivery performance and rebate reporting
at the business unit level. Worked directly with 3PL provider managing dedicated fleet and
LTL subcontracted carriers
Lead Buyer – Flo-Control and Automation Division (1992 – 1999)
• Responsible for procurement and sourcing of steel, ancillary components, MRO supplies
and contract services for five manufacturing plants establishing long term performance
based contracts linked to applicable indices with redetermination points
• Sourced unique materials and subcontract services in support of the corporate R &D center
meeting immense time constraints
Education, Professional Certification and Training
• Parkland College, Champaign, IL, Certification in Supply Chain Management with honors
• Pursuing a Bachelor of Science Degree in Organizational Professional Development,
Eastern University of Illinois, Charleston, IL, anticipated completion December 2017
• Member of the National Association of Purchasing Management (NAPM), 1983 through
current
• Supplier Quality and Development (8D) Training
• Supplier Assessment Training
• Finance for the Non-Financial Manager Training
• JD Edwards One World XE ERP Software
• SAP ERP Software
• Developing Global Leadership Training
• Internal Auditor Certification
• Member of the National Association of Professional Woman
• Awarded the 2013/2014 Professional Women of the year, recognized for outstanding
leadership and commitment within the Purchasing profession
• Attended training for Excel 2010 Basic, Intermediate and Advanced at Parkland College,
2013 completing 27 hours of instruction
Community Service
• Crisis Nursery Volunteer Champaign, IL
• Past Board Member of NAPM (ISM) serving as Membership Chairman