Matthias Kopecky

• Managing small team of 4 purchasing managers with 175+ assigned suppliers specific to european vehicle makes, chemicals, tools & equipment, and Weber division.
• Work with team to measure and insure suppliers are performing in areas of on-time shipping performance, and quick backorder fulfillment to maintain high fill rates at DC's.
• Lead and manage commercial agreement and terms negotiations annually with suppliers.
• Work closely with VP of Product Management on program building strategies, supplier consolidation efforts, and reporting needs.
• Key member in helping enhance reporting needs and processes.
• Collaborate with IT on initiatives.
• Enhanced vendor relations through strategic meetings, industry events, and trade shows.
• Manage business relationship for membership in GroupAuto International, a global buying group.

• Directed strategic planning efforts and managed a small team responsible for 100+ suppliers specific to spare parts for european vehicle makes and chemicals.
• Increased back-end support through negotiations of additional rebates, warranty reimbursement, location expansion support, improved payment and freight terms, and more.
• Worked closely with product management team to help develop programs to remain the "first to market leader."
• Participated in cross-departmental meetings to develop strategies with sales, marketing, supply chain, ops, and finance.
• Fostered supplier relationships via strategic in-person meetings, trade shows, and industry events.

• Led strategic initiatives in supplier warranty allowance and reimbursement negotiations to increase support and mitigate costs of warranty returns.
• Helped manage and streamline processes related to handling of warranty and returns pallets working together with DC Ops teams.
• Directly oversaw purchasing and and processes for Overseas Genuine/OES suppliers.
• Assisted SVP Purchasing with various "special projects."

SSF Imported Auto Parts LLC is the nation's premiere importer and wholesale distributor of automotive spare parts for European vehicles.

• Member of Corporate Management Team reporting directly to CEO.
• Managed purchasing and supply chain for 200+ suppliers, 55,000+ SKU's, 8 warehouse locations, $36M+ in inventory, and $140M+ in revenue.
• Managing Marketing Team starting in January 2018 to create more synergies between Product Management and Marketing Teams.
• Managed team responsible for negotiating supplier contracts and annual purchase goals to maximize purchase rebates, return/warranty allowances, and marketing support.
• Developed a comprehensive Tool, Equipment, and Diagnostics program designed for automotive repair shops specializing in European vehicles.
• Created and launched new value-added service solutions for customers, including hands-on Technical Training program for professional automotive technicians.
• Assisted IT in enhancing programs, UI, reporting, and processes in IBM AS400 ERP system.
• Created new KPI reporting to track product manager program and catalog development, inventory trends, and purchasing agent productivity.
• Introduced new analytics using available industry data for VIO (vehicles in operation) to measure application and program coverage and sales performance in specific markets.
• Responsible for the organizations Sell Pricing Matrix which establishes sell pricing for various customer types and sales channels.
• Key member in planning and managing acquisitions.
• Managed a 20 member team which includes Purchasing Agents, Sourcing Specialists, Product Managers, Data Analysts, and Marketing.
• Hired, developed, and trained new team members and fostered the growth and career advancement of existing team

• Managed purchasing agents and supply chain for 200+ suppliers.
• Responsible for creating department budgets and forecasts.
• Expanded program offering for customers through increased catalog application coverage and SKU count from 30,000 to 55,000 with an inventory increase from $14M to $38M, resulting in revenue increase from $65M to $140M+ (2007-2017).
• Managed Product Management and Cataloging Team responsible for building and maintaining industry leading catalog for automotive spare parts.
• Negotiated supplier contracts resulting in cost savings within the supply chain and additional revenue through supplier rebates.
• Played key role in 2012 sale of company to current ownership group Wessels + Mueller AG (WM SE). Prepared KPI reporting and analytics for potential buyers and assisted in ownership transition.
• Planned opening inventory for new warehouse locations.
• Managed a 15 member team which included Purchasing Agents, Sourcing Specialists, Product Managers, and Data Analysts.

• Tasked to manage and oversee the largest sales team in the organization with 35 + Inside Sales Associates and 2 Outside Field reps. Focus of team was sales of automotive spare parts to independent repair shops nationwide.
• Responsible for $8M in sales growth to $53M over 2 year span while overcoming severe market pressures during early stages of economic recession.
• 4,000+ active customers nationwide.
• Assisted in creating budgets and developing sales targets for sales group and individual sales associates
• Involved in restructuring sales team and critical policy changes

• Responsible for managing supply chain, inventory, and key supplier relationships.
• Managed and maintained targets for inventory turns, fill-rate, and overstock for 8,000+ SKU's and 40+ major suppliers.
• Key member in supplier meetings, trade shows, annual line reviews, and pricing and product information analysis.
• Team lead for a group of four purchasing agents while Senior Buyer.