Casey Arrington, Product Manager in Nosara, Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica
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Casey Arrington

Verified Expert  in Product Management

Product Manager

Location
Nosara, Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica
Toptal Member Since
December 21, 2018

Casey graduated with high honors from the top supply chain management program in the US. He has 10 years of experience in product and project management, transforming some of the most innovative companies in the insurance, healthcare, finance, blockchain, and aerospace industries across the US and Canada through the use of IT products and solutions. Casey has worked at SpaceX and is a proud contributor to one day becoming a multi-planetary species.

Project Highlights

A New Blockchain: Transforming White Papers into a Plan of Action
Blockchain Architecture Review, Project Scoping, Project Roadmap Creation, Projected Resource Allocation, User Story Writing,
Product Research, Solution and Data Architecture, and Product Design for Satellite Imagery Storage and Display Solution
Led product research and design for a user-facing product, and designed an effective and efficient data storage solution.
Launched Supplier Portal
Key member in the design, creation, and successful launch of SpaceX’s first fully integrated external facing application.

Expertise

Work Experience

Lead Product Manager

2022 - PRESENT
ZTX
  • Drove every feature, from idea to implementation, and deployed in two of the three products at ZTX.
  • Managed the team of product managers at ZTX, as well as various pods comprised of back-end engineers, Unity engineers, game designers, and producers, through every major initiative deployed at ZTX in the last two years.
  • Acted as a key member of the core steering committee. Drove strategic decisions on the product and project, including the $ZTX token launch, early access play tests, content releases, main-net product releases, and overall product direction.

Business Strategy, Marketing, Communications, and DAO Development Expert

2020 - 2022
Sifchain Finance
  • Built a business development strategy and a team centered around Sifchain's core strategic differentiators of margin trading, cross-EVM bridging capabilities, and developer onboarding, resulting in a robust game plan with clear OKRs.
  • Led the comms and operations team by creating a marketing strategy, including a brand upgrade, strategy development, and execution plan. This led to clear customer acquisition through the entire onboarding funnel.
  • Acted as a key contributor to creating the Sifchain DAO, outlining its purpose, onboarding, compensation, governance processes, and tooling. Adapted to the DAO's growth by upgrading key processes and restructuring for effectiveness.
  • Worked with a head of marketing and helped execute marketing strategy consisting of PR, paid ads, paid and earned media, key personnel interviews, and specific marketing campaign execution, all tracked via KPIs and analyzed for constant improvement.
  • Headed several AMAs, interviews with key influencers, and community town halls and presented progress on key features and milestones.
  • Led the writing of bi-weekly medium articles, including coverage of project technical milestones and progress, marketing progress, business development updates, and DAO updates.
  • Assisted in leading the re-architecture of the Sifchain external facing documentation site, consisting of a deep-dive analysis of the best ways to format and present both functional and highly technical information.
  • Helped revamp the Sifchain Discord server to cultivate an open and inviting community that catered to both a casual observer/questioner and a heavily involved participant.

Product Manager

2020 - 2022
Sifchain Finance
  • Led the launch of the initial Sifchain decentralized exchange (DEX) alongside the Sifchain EROWAN token ICO. The product launch garnered over $10 million in total value locked (TVL) within 24 hours, while the ICO generated around $26 million.
  • Managed a cross-functional team of front-end and back-end developers, DevOps, designers, testers, and core bridging infrastructure to launch the Sifchain DEX's v2 that incorporated a re-vamped and upgraded UX and new best-in-class features.
  • Conducted efforts around instilling Agile project management practices across the entire technology team, resulting in clearer deliverables, tighter cross-team coordination, and shortened time to delivery.
  • Created detailed specifications and saw those specifications through design, testing, and implementation around key features, such as incorporating IBC technology, reward distribution, and front-end provider initiatives.

Product Manager - Core Protocol

2019 - 2021
Dapper Labs
  • Served as a product manager responsible for translating the Flow blockchain whitepaper into a project roadmap. The roadmap consisted of 162 user stories, translated into a Gantt chart showcasing resource allocation and dependencies.
  • Led a team of five that was responsible for analyzing the Flow blockchain architecture thoroughly, resulting in a final scoping document deliverable highlighting various areas of improvement and ways to mitigate those areas while hitting key milestones.
  • Acted as a product manager responsible for the Core Protocol team, Node Operator relations, and hitting key decentralization milestones. I was a key component in the Flow blockchain's successful MainNet launch while decentralizing healthily and stably.

Product Manager

2017 - 2018
SpaceX
  • Managed a team of seven developers through the design, development, and support of all purchasing applications within a custom-built ERP system, serving a customer base of 5,000+ people and representing the second most utilized applications within SpaceX.
  • Developed end-to-end solutions by conducting initial deep dive research, creating functional and technical requirement documentation, table structure designs, technical solution designs, and UX designs.
  • Oversaw all development stages and led functional testing, QA testing, training, change management, and all post-go-live support for 20+ major features over 1-year. Got recognition through multiple customer-initiated 'Kick-Ass Awards' and was acknowledged as the exemplary team within our division.
  • Collaborated with internal stakeholders to define strategic initiatives and prioritize features and enhancements to create product strategy roadmaps, ensuring efficient feature rollouts and on-time enhancement deliverables, while quickly adapting to changes in an extremely fast-paced environment.
  • Utilized an Agile methodology, leading sprint planning, kick-off meetings, backlog grooming sessions, daily stand-ups and post-mortems, delivering to tight timeframes through effective prioritization decisions based on data-driven ROI and internal strategic goals.
  • Modernized request for purchase order (RFPO) app. Did complete re-write and technology stack upgrade of the RFPO app, resulting in enhanced user experience, improved data accuracy, and less clicks/unnecessary time spent within the app while increasing application flexibility and decreasing technical debt.
  • Redesigned the purchase order release process by entirely redesigning fragmented/independent processes into a fully integrated message-bus architecture solution, providing more flexibility and greater control of the release process.
  • Integrated tax software into all purchasing applications with the successful integration of third-party tax software into all purchasing applications, leading to immediate $3 million per month in tax exemption savings.
  • Launched supplier portal as a key member in the design, creation, and successful launch of SpaceX’s first fully integrated external facing application built to allow suppliers to communicate directly, undertake actions, and access all necessary supplier-buyer relationship information, removing these responsibilities from internal resources.
  • Migrated current application logic into public APIs. Spearheaded effort to remove logic from within applications and create public APIs, producing consolidated, centralized components and allowing easy integration with other internal and external applications.

Manager - Sales & Business Development

2016 - 2017
Virtusa
  • Executed four sales presentations to prominent client for potential next phase project, preparing and presenting demo material, highlighting capable functionality, creating proposed solution with projected timeline and resource allocation, resulting in a next phase green light with projected revenue of $2 million.
  • Managed 7-person team through full lifecycle implementation of a new product, to determine best solution given market trends and desires, achieving a next phase project with expected revenue of $2 million.
  • Significantly contributed to five RFPs across multiple prospect clients, creating tailored solutions and managing to tight timelines.

Product Manager, ERP Financial System Implementation

2016 - 2017
Virtusa
  • Served as technology lead for ERP Financial Systems Implementation, leading multiple blueprinting workshops, coordinating users across multiple functional and technical teams, and collaborating with internal and external resources to gain a holistic understanding, delivering detailed business process design documents to client outlining current state/future state analysis.
  • Led multiple informational sessions and hands-on demos showcasing ERP system functionality, highlighting industry best solutions and recommending future process improvements, providing client with actionable solutions which required minimal customizations and undercut project system implementation cost.
  • Successfully completed and tracked necessary customization items, providing in-depth documentation on how to accomplish each solution recommendation, while managing to an aggressive timeline.

Product Manager

2011 - 2016
Virtusa
  • Served as a key member of ERP Financial Collections/Disbursements Systems Implementation, serving in a client facing role responsible for determining business requirements, providing customized solutions, documenting project specs, and overseeing recommended solutions to completion.
  • Transitioned into a client relations role and served as the main liaison between Virtusa and client, maintaining strong client relationship as recognized by continued business well beyond expected duration.
  • Led testing and defect tracking, seeing these areas into the next phase of user acceptance, while providing sufficient documentation and knowledge transfer.
  • Developed and executed highly effective training program, receiving high remarks and positive feedback from current production support team and end users.
  • Completed a full lifecycle implementation of a CRM system and had sole responsibility for requirement gathering, data conversion/integration, custom configuration, testing, and demo presentation/training materials.

A New Blockchain: Transforming White Papers into a Plan of Action

Blockchain Architecture Review, Project Scoping, Project Roadmap Creation, Projected Resource Allocation, User Story Writing,

Summary: An emerging company has developed a new blockchain architecture that will completely revolutionize non-financial based uses of the blockchain technology. Innovatively designed from the ground-up to handle millions of real-time interactions, this reconstructed architecture will open the flood-gates for expanded use of blockchain technology in exciting new industries. This cutting-edge network has been proven in white papers and is backed by tens of millions of dollars in capital.

The Sitch: While ingenious, this revolutionary blockchain architecture currently only exists in theories and white papers. The client knows the design principles, the functionality, and the desired goals of the network, but they are unclear on how to take their ideas from paper to reality. And since nothing like this exists out there today and upfront investment of the project is costly, the client needs an expert set-of-eyes on their ideas to ensure that nothing is hiding in their blind spots. With their first partner already contracted and a public announcement of what they are building, the client is up against a tight timeline. The go-live date for the MVP (minimal viable product) is just 2 months out, and the more comprehensive V1 go-live date is a mere 7 months out. Both of these dates cannot be missed in order to keep their investors and partners engaged and to ensure first-mover advantages are realized.

The Goal: Quickly produce a backlog of appropriately sized workable items for their engineers, a project plan that showcases both the priorities & dependencies for their project managers, and a scoping document that highlights what needs to be done, how it needs to be done, and when it needs to be done, including potential areas of concern, for their CEO.
The End Result: A robust deliverable of 162 clearly defined user stories including associated story points and prioritizations, culminating in a custom-crafted gantt chart to showcase resource allocation and dependencies. The blockchain architecture was analyzed inside and out during this process to ensure no rock was left unturned and all findings on the system were provided in a final scoping document. This all-star team transformed this theoretical idea into a concrete plan of action in just 5 weeks. With a clear path to not only meeting, but surpassing their upcoming milestones, the client is equipped to revolutionize blockchain.

Product Research, Solution and Data Architecture, and Product Design for Satellite Imagery Storage and Display Solution

Led product research and design for a user-facing product, and designed an effective and efficient data storage solution.

More than 200 million satellite images of our home, Planet Earth, are becoming unclassified. But the images sat idle stored away in their physical warehouse. A solution was created to bring the images to the digital age. The current process to fulfill a request for a satellite image took roughly 4 people and 2 to 3 weeks from request to delivery. The process was time-consuming, draining on resources, prone to manual error, and not scalable. There was also a major loss in value potential as there is little visibility to the existence of the images. Storage of images in physical format only makes the images highly susceptible to natural disaster and total loss. The goal was simple, bring these images to the digital age with key principles: ease of accessibility and flexibility to support a wide range of user needs.

My part: Project scoping and product design, product research, use case, and user persona creation, solution architecture guidance, data storage solution creation, georeferencing research and integration, ML/AI research and integration, map provider vendor research and selection.

Launched Supplier Portal

Key member in the design, creation, and successful launch of SpaceX’s first fully integrated external facing application.

Key member in the design, creation, and successful launch of SpaceX’s first fully integrated public facing application built to allow suppliers to communicate directly, undertake actions, and access all necessary supplier-buyer relationship information, removing these responsibilities from internal resources. One other product manager and I led a team of 6 developers through the design, architecture, and implementation of this custom-built application that is now used by suppliers to see their purchase orders, confirm them, pay for them, see all related documentation, and see historical information. This product was completely designed (UI/UX, DB architecture, API architecture, security, and automated data feeds) from scratch by myself and my fellow product manager. This product resulted in: quicker turnaround times from initial communication to suppliers to receiving of parts, quicker and more accurate communication from buyers to suppliers, a 1-stop shop for suppliers to see and digest all relevant documentation, and provides a method for constant and consistent feedback to facilitate continuous improvement.

Designed a Custom Project Management Solution, Highlighting All Functional and Technical Needs, Along with a Fully Robust Project Plan

Solely responsible for the complete design of a custom project management software solution and created a project plan.

A $400 million construction company utilizing an off-the-shelf (OTS) Project Management software that bills at 1% of revenues. The current software is not only expensive but its capabilities are severely under-utilized. The company has never built software before and has 8 months until the next contract renews.

I was brought in to completely design a custom full-replacement solution, create a product roadmap for how to get there in 8 months, and propose a resource allocation strategy to meet this need.

Integrated 3rd Party Tax Software Into All Purchasing Application

Successful integration of 3rd party tax software into all purchasing applications resulting in a $3 million/month savings.

I was solely responsible for integrating/implementing a 3rd party tax software into the purchasing process within our home-grown ERP system. I worked alongside another product manager who designed the overall financial process and database architecture and handed it off to me to be implemented into all of the purchasing processes within our system. I was responsible for the data migration strategy and execution, and the successful tax calls to the software, which included: automated sending of information, automated receiving of information, adjusting purchase orders when necessary with the relevant information, and automatically and accurately communicating the information to suppliers. This effort resulted in an immediate $3 million savings/month. The project cost, including the purchasing of the tax software and all labor efforts, were paid off in the first month of it being live.

Modernized RFPO Application

Complete re-write and technology stack upgrade of request for purchase order application in home-grown ERP system.

Complete re-write and technology stack upgrade of RFPO application, resulting in enhanced user experience, improved data accuracy, and fewer clicks/unnecessary time spent within the application, while increasing application flexibility and decreasing technical debt.

This application caters to a user-base of over 5,000 people and is one of the most traffic-heavy applications within the home-grown ERP system. Because of the extremely diverse user group and the high number of visits, the UX/UI design was critical to the overall success. After doing extensive user research and analysis, and conducting user behavioral studies, the final design resulted in a more efficient user experience within the application, while also increasing the overall accuracy of the information input by the user. Along with the UX/UI re-design, I took this opportunity to remove built-up tech debt in the application to allow us to react more swiftly to future enhancements. The roll-out of this new application included a data migration effort that I also completed utilizing Microsoft SQL.

Complete Design of Custom Built RFQ Application

Led design and architecture of new Request for Quote (RFQ) application within custom-built ERP system.

I completely designed a Request for Quote (RFQ) solution, including DB architecture, technical solution design, functional solution design, and UX/UI design. The design of this new product had to seamlessly integrate into the as-is purchasing process, and hold enough benefits to attract user engagement. During the solution design, I did deep-dive research in the as-is process with our internal buyers, spoke in great detail with SMEs, and incorporated industry best-practices. The design allows for the system to improve on itself, taking historical information from past RFQs to provide recommendations to buyers in quality standards, past defects, price breaks, and other potential suppliers. It also would seamlessly integrate into a contract module, allowing buyers to create contractual agreements with suppliers and to eliminate unnecessary repetitive tasks during the purchases process.

Designed and Implemented Revision History Application

Led the complete design and implementation of a new Revision History Application within custom-built ERP system.

I was responsible for the full design of the entire solution including DB table design, technical solution design, data conversion strategy, and implementation/testing, solution architecture, internal application display of history, and external display of history to suppliers. I conducted deep-dive research to answer the critical questions of what are we going to capture, how are we going to capture it, how are we going to display it internally and externally, and how is this solution sustainable over time. I was responsible for getting internal stakeholder buy-in through functional specifications and projected ROI.

This product saved time for internal users when trying to answer ‘how did the purchase order get this way?'. This product is extremely vital when dealing with the amount of turnover we had with our buyers.

This product also saved immense amounts of time for our suppliers as they had dedicated resources assigned to try and figure out what changed from PO to PO revisions. The information would get constantly lost or overlooked, resulting in critical delays in production

Designed and Implemented Tool to Capture Trace-ability Information from Suppliers

Led the design and implementation of a process that would capture and store trace-ability information from suppliers.

I led the complete and overall design and successful implementation for a process that automatically requests trace-ability information from suppliers, and automatically uploads and stores them within our custom-built ERP system. I was responsible for creating all relevant documentation, including process flow diagrams, functional specifications, technical specifications, Excel template creation, and communication materials for suppliers. I worked extremely close with my stakeholders and key suppliers to design a solution as automated as possible for both us and our suppliers. The end product automatically determines, based on information present on a purchase order, if we need to request traceability information for that part from a specific supplier. It would then automatically generate an excel template that is e-mailed to the supplier. The supplier would fill in all required information and e-mail the excel back to us, which would then be automatically received and uploaded into our system (while having numerous error checks in place). This solution took a very manually intensive process and automated the entire thing, saving hours of time for us and our suppliers.

Migrated Current Application Logic into Public APIs

Spearheaded effort to remove logic from within applications and create public APIs.

Spearheaded effort to remove logic from within applications and create public APIs, producing consolidated, centralized components and allowing easy integration with other internal and external applications. I was fully responsible for writing both functional and technical documentation, initial testing and bug identification/tracking, QA testing, and user testing to ensure a successful/non-disruptive roll-out. These changes allowed us to centralize all logic, making future changes and enhancements much less disruptive and quicker to implement and test.

Redesigned Purchase Order Release Process

Full re-design of the fragmented/independent process into a fully integrated message-bus architecture solution.

A complete and full redesign of the Purchase Order release process. This was originally a very fragmented/independent process that I re-designed and turned into a message-bus type architecture where each successful completion of a step triggered the start of the next step. This gave us far greater control of the process, made it less error-prone, and protected us for when the process would fail in the middle. I led this effort and worked with one developer to completely document the as-is process, to-be process, write the functional/technical documentation for it, implement it, fully test it, and integrate it into our production system in under two weeks time. Because it was a time sensitive task and because we bore full burden of it being error proof, I also wrote numerous reports that would immediately detect and notify us if something were to go wrong after it was live.

Project Manager for all Supply Chain Specific Applications

Managed a team of 7 developers and 2 product managers through the development of all supply chain specific applications.

Utilized agile methodology to manage a team of 7 developers and 2 other product managers through all projects dealing with supply chain specific applications. Led sprint planning sessions, daily stand-ups, backlog grooming, and sprint review/retro sessions. I managed not only our internal team, but also 3 different, and often times conflicting, business stakeholders ensuring happiness with the quantity and quality of work that was being done. We were recognized as an exemplary team at SpaceX utilizing agile, as recognized by numerous 'kick-ass' awards.

Implemented Automatic Attachment and Sending of Relevant Documents to Suppliers

Led the design and implementation of a solution that automatically determines, attaches, and sends documents to suppliers.

I led the overall design and implementation of a solution that would automatically determine all relevant documents, based on information on the purchase order, attach them to the purchase order, and send them to the supplier. Examples of this include necessary quality clauses, part drawings, part specifications, contracts, revision history, etc. I was responsible for completing all relevant documentation (functional specifications, technical specifications, testing documentation), testing solution and bug tracking, QA testing, user-handoff, and change management efforts. This solution is a huge time saver for our buyers as they would previously have to do all of this manually, often times forgetting certain documents. This allows buyers to simply allow the system to automate this entire process for them, so they could focus on more value-added activities.

Architect of Master Data Design for Canada-based Insurance Company

Created Master Data design for SAP ERP implementation for Canada-based insurance company.

During an SAP Financial System ERP Implementation, I was responsible for creating the Master Data architecture to be used to represent all customer information within the new ERP system. The master data design is one of, if not the, most important aspect to an SAP ERP system implementation. It drives how other processes will need to react when running, storing, and interpreting data. In creating a Master Data design, you must take into consideration ALL processes that may be affected by it to ensure that the design can handle/accommodate all of the client's requirements. I was brought in to do this work and to create a master data design that would set the foundation for the SAP ERP implementation.

Utilized Machine Learning to Predict Should-cost for Parts

Led the development for the creation of a should-cost pricing tool that utilized machine learning for greater accuracy.

Responsible for creating and spec'ing out the solution for a tool that would use machine learning to suggest what the cost should be for a specific part. I worked with a BI engineer on this feature to calculate the ‘should cost’ of a part that anyone had the potential of buying for a rocket/research & dev/etc., We incorporated ML in order to calculate the rate, and improve on it each time as buyers bought more of it, across various suppliers. The goal of this was to ensure that whoever was buying the part, they had the tools and knowledge necessary to ensure we were not overpaying for it.

Full Design and Implementation of CRM System for US Insurance Company

Led the complete design and implementation of a CRM system used by US Insurance company call center.

I led the complete design and implementation of a CRM system for a US-based insurance company to be used by their call center. I led one developer in the development of this system, highlighting necessary customizations. I was fully responsible for the entire design of the CRM system, including the UX/UI, process flows, and integration into their SAP ERP system. I conducted numerous blueprinting workshops, gathering information on how users do their job currently, and how they would do it in the future. I focused on simplification, providing users with only the necessary information needed and having the system guide them through various actions they would need to undertake. I was also fully responsible for all data migration efforts from their legacy system, to their SAP ERP system, and then into their CRM system.

Designed and Implemented a Workflow System for Clients Within Insurance and Finance Industries

Designed and implemented a workflow system for multiple clients within the insurance and finance industries.

Fully responsible for requirement gathering, blueprinting workshops, gap identification, configuration documents, custom development identification, and completion of all functional/technical specifications for a new workflow system for numerous clients across the US and Canada in the insurance and finance industries. I led numerous sessions in order to gather information on requirements and as-is process, as well as numerous sessions on the future-to-be processes, taking into consideration industry best practices. I worked with external clientele to ensure I had a complete understanding of what was wanted and expected from our solution. I also worked with our internal developers, clearly articulating the necessary development needed to meet those needs. I then tested all requirements fully, and was responsible for all change management documentation and sessions, ensuring a smooth transition from the old process to the new process.

Implemented Integration Between ERP System and External Collection Agencies for Insurance and Finance Clients

Led a successful integration between ERP system and external Collection Agencies used to manage delinquent customers.

Fully responsible for requirement gathering, blueprinting workshops, gap identification, configuration documents, custom development identification, and completion of all functional/technical specifications for integration between ERP system and external Collection Agencies for numerous clients across the US and Canada in the insurance and finance industries. I led numerous sessions in order to gather information on requirements and as-is process, as well as numerous sessions on the future-to-be processes, taking into consideration industry best practices. I worked with external clientele to ensure I had a complete understanding of what was wanted and expected from our solution. I also worked with our internal developers, clearly articulating the necessary development needed to meet those needs. I then tested all requirements fully, and was responsible for all change management documentation and sessions, ensuring a smooth transition from the old process to the new process.

Implemented Payment Processing into ERP Systems for Companies in Insurance and Finance Industries

Implemented payment process capabilities into ERP system for companies in the US/Canada in the insurance/finance industries.

Fully responsible for requirement gathering, blueprinting workshops, gap identification, configuration documents, custom development identification, and completion of all functional/technical specifications for payment processing for numerous clients across the US and Canada in the insurance and finance industries. I led numerous sessions in order to gather information on requirements and as-is process, as well as numerous sessions on the future-to-be processes, taking into consideration industry best practices. I worked with external clientele to ensure I had a complete understanding of what was wanted and expected from our solution. I also worked with our internal developers, clearly articulating the necessary development needed to meet those needs. I then tested all requirements fully, and was responsible for all change management documentation and sessions, ensuring a smooth transition from the old process to the new process. I worked with company banks and legacy check processing systems to ensure seamless integration into the ERP system.

Designed and Implemented Refund Processes for Clients Within Insurance and Finance Industries

Designed and implemented refund processing in ERP system for clients across the US and Canada.

Fully responsible for requirement gathering, blueprinting workshops, gap identification, configuration documents, custom development identification, and completion of all functional/technical specifications for refund process for numerous clients across the US and Canada in the insurance and finance industries. I led numerous sessions in order to gather information on requirements and as-is process, as well as numerous sessions on the future-to-be processes, taking into consideration industry best practices. I worked with external clientele to ensure I had a complete understanding of what was wanted and expected from our solution. I also worked with our internal developers, clearly articulating the necessary development needed to meet those needs. I then tested all requirements fully, and was responsible for all change management documentation and sessions, ensuring a smooth transition from the old process to the new process. I also worked with the company house banks to ensure a successful transition to the new ERP solution.

Designed and Implemented Correspondence/dunning Processes for Clients Within Insurance and Finance Industries

Designed and implemented correspondence/dunning processes for multiple clients within the insurance and finance industries.

Fully responsible for requirement gathering, blueprinting workshops, gap identification, configuration documents, custom development identification, and completion of all functional/technical specifications for correspondence and dunning processes for numerous clients across the US and Canada in the insurance and finance industries. I led numerous sessions in order to gather information on requirements and as-is process, as well as numerous sessions on the future-to-be processes, taking into consideration industry best practices. I worked with external clientele to ensure I had a complete understanding of what was wanted and expected from our solution. I also worked with our internal developers, clearly articulating the necessary development needed to meet those needs. I then tested all requirements fully, and was responsible for all change management documentation and sessions, ensuring a smooth transition from the old process to the new process.

Redesigned Purchase Order Approval Process

Led the successful redesign of the purchase order approval process with an automated workflow to determine approvals needed.

I was fully responsible for taking an as-is approval process, which was the result of many independent changes/tweaks, and re-designing it into a more clear, concise, fluid process. The solution is a workflow-based rules engine that automatically determines who and when a purchase needs to go through approvals based upon the nature of the purchase and the amount of the purchase. The end solution is much more flexible and allowed for future changes/tweaks to happen quicker with less uncertainty. I created all relevant documentation outlining the as-is process and to-be process, identifying gaps and changes needed from a technical perspective. I was fully responsible for the complete end-to-end testing, and proper documentation to show so.

Grew Punchout Supplier Base Through cXML Integrations

Led the growth of our punchout system supplier base by consulting suppliers and incorporating standard cXML field additions.

Led the effort to grow our supplier base for our punchout system, which uses cXML to communicate information back and forth between us and our suppliers. I grew our supplier base from an as-is of 8 to 16 suppliers. In order to do this, I acted as a consultant to these suppliers, working with them on their implementation efforts, and the necessary information that would be needed via the cXML information delivery process. These efforts resulted in easier purchases to be made across all of SpaceX with suppliers that we have pre-negotiated pricing with. It also allows us to funnel users to specific suppliers to buy from, increasing the negotiating power of our buyers.

Created a Push/Pull Need Date Tool to Update Records in Mass

Designed and implemented an email watcher tool that will change dates on purchase orders in mass.

I was responsible for the full design, implementation, testing, bug fixing, re-testing, and the go-live of an email-watcher tool that allows a user to input information into an Excel workbook, email it, and update purchase orders in mass. This task, from start to finish, was done in a single weekend by myself and one developer as it was an extremely time-sensitive task given to us by the CEO of SpaceX. We were able to implement rules within this tool as well that would automatically update other information on the Purchase Order and was dependent on the input information and the current information on the purchase order. Because of its power, the automated rules, and the error-proof catches we put in place, this is still a tool that is used widely today.

Complete Redesign of Purchase Order PDF

Led the full re-design of purchase order PDF that is sent to every supplier when purchasing any service or good.

I led the complete re-design of SpaceX's purchase order PDF that is sent to every supplier when we purchase a good or service. I worked extremely close with the purchasing business team and the supplier relations team to design a completely re-vamped purchase order that is easier to read and digest, reducing the number of phone calls needed to buyers for clarity and reducing the number of errors made by suppliers. The solution allowed us to easily cater the purchase order, based on what we were buying, and only show relevant information on each PDF that is sent out. It reduced the overall maintenance needed from an on-going support basis and resulted in a much cleaner purchase order.
2007 - 2011

Bachelor's Degree in Logistics and Supply Chain Management

Michigan State University - East Lansing, MI

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