John De Souza

Analysis and procurement of products from various countries including China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Vietnam, USA, Malaysia, Australia, etc. Organising the shipment of these products and the end to end supply chain. Also responsible for the costing of all products that we sell to the retail industry. Setting up 3PL distribution sites across New Zealand and managing these for delivery and performance. Also working with freight forwarder and local distribution, to ensure timely delivery of products and services. Working closely with sales and customer services.

Planning and procuring of materials using the MRP for the 5 divisions of the company i.e. Refrigeration & laundry divisions in Auckland, Range and Dishwaher in Dunedin and the Refrigeration and Laundry Divisions in Brisbane, Australia. Some materials procured included steel, compressors, fan motors, fan blades, tube connectors, hoses, valves, pumps, accumulators, filters, glass, etc. I was also involved in various projects, which included cost downs. I also negotiated and implemented procurement contracts with quality, cost, delivery and total cost of ownership being the important aspects of a successful negotiated contract. I had to liase and represented the procurement function with the freight forwarder on a daily basis to ensure that all shipments were delivered on time. I was also part of a business planning team, whose main objectives were quality, cost, delivery, safety, people and product.

This was a very special project, which built the rail network for the Hong Kong new airport and new local Lantau lines. Responsibilities included planning, requisitioning and procuring of all overseas and local materials and plant required for the project. The materials included rail, rail movement joints, special turnouts, timber and concrete sleepers, clips, insulators, shims, shoulders, railpads, baseplates, coachscrews, ferrules, fishplates, buffer stops, thermit welding material, etc. The plant included included locomotives, regulators, tampers, hopper wagons, flat wagons and other small plant used on the job. Due to the size of the job, I had to set up 3 storage areas and DG stores. I had a team of 15 staff working for me at these 3 storage areas. I also handled around 40 containers of imports per week plus break cargo of rail and turnouts. The rail and turnouts had to be received mid-stream with barges meeting the mother vessel. I also successfully negotiated sub-contracts for barging, inland transportation, lifting equipment including cranes.

This was a very historic project after the gulf war of 1991. The project involved restoration of the 3 oil refineries to their original state before the war. Responsibilities includes checking requisitions, issuing RFQ's, tendering, receiving and evaluating quotations, performing bid tabulations, providing letter of awards, placing and sending out purchase orders. Everyday contact with local vendors and International principals, and extensive use of the Kuwait VEC List. Major purchases included US$3.3 million - pipe (Multiple requisition, multi bid award), US$1.2 million - crude fractionator tower. Experience in local purchasing (cement, flanges, etc.) as well as major International purchases in Kuwait. Responsibilities also included expediting vendor supplied materials and relevant documentation for the purchased materials. Constant checking with awarded vendors to avoid slippage in delivery, and hence maintain or improve upon original delivery. Receive drawings form vendors and co-ordinate with engineering for approval. Making change orders/amendments as and when required.