John Ferguson

Experience

• 

  W.M. Sheppard Lumber Company

  Sept 2000 - Oct 2017

  Purchasing Agent

  • Managed procurement of MRO supplies, negotiated service agreements, and tracked purchase orders in Excel.• Achieved 15-20% annual cost savings on MRO products, totaling $2.4 million in spend.• Oversaw projects like tree planting and farm management to ensure continuity in operations.

• 

  Claude Howard Lumber Company, Inc.

  Nov 2017 - Jun 2018

  Purchasing Agent

  • Negotiated an 18% cost savings on MRO products for a $2.4 million annual spend through strategic sourcing.• Managed a team of two in procuring MRO products, commodities, fabrication materials, and services.• Oversaw incoming MRO materials and outgoing shipments for repairs and services.

• 

  M-D Building Products

  Jul 2018 - Dec 2020

  Buyer

  • Managed procurement of MRO products, commodities, and raw materials for custom plastic products and vinyl weatherstrip production.• Negotiated pricing for commodities, components, and raw materials, securing $525,000 in cost savings over 18 months.• Implemented JIT deliveries, reducing raw material inventory from $10 million to $8 million in two-and-a-half years.

• 

  JR Ferguson Farms, LLC

  Jan 2021 - Nov 2023

  Owner and Operator

  • Managed all aspects of marketing, sales, distribution, invoicing, and bookkeeping for JR Ferguson Farms, LLC.• Developed the site, negotiated land and equipment purchases, and oversaw daily operations.• Increased farm production capacity by 10% and improved yield by 15%, resulting in a $7,000 profit increase.• Reduced lettuce production input costs by 50% through sourcing from alternative vendors, achieving $2,400 annual cost savings.

• 

  Vermont Slate Company, LLC

  Feb 2024 - Sept 2024

  Procurement Manager

  • Managed procurement for domestic slate and cladding products from Vermont Valley and coordinated international imports from CUPA Pizzaras.• Implemented operational improvements in procurement, receiving, and sample room processes to enhance efficiency.• Achieved a 20% improvement in on-time delivery rates through strong vendor management and secured $210,000 in cost savings.