Jim Braun

Jim Braun, CPSM is a professional and results driven leader with expertise in risk management, supply chain management, inventory control, sourcing, and procurement. Supply chain focused using a variety of methods to create competitive advantages, fulfill internal customer requirements, improve operating margins, cash flow, quality, and customer satisfaction. Extensive experience in resolving operational and financial risks, managing supplier relationships, and managing commodities across all food, packaging, and energy categories.

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Jim Braun is the Sourcing Manager at Custom Foods of America, a manufacturer of soups, macaroni & cheese, and other fluid to semi fluid food products. Jim sources all new ingredients and packaging materials while controlling costs for existing raw materials, which totals about $55MM in annual spend. In addition, Jim Braun manages all supplier relationships, provides information to multiple internal parties, works on special projects, and manages the increasing amount of paperwork required of food manufacturers.

President at National Association of Purchasing Management, East Tennessee

September 2012 - Present | Knoxville, TN

Actively participate in determining the direction of the chapter via board meetings, help to grow the organization, seek out and arrange for speakers at monthly membership meetings, seek out and book the venues for monthly membership meetings, arrange and direct monthly Board meetings, create and distribute monthly newsletter, ensure tax form is filed in a timely manner.

Sourcing Manager at Custom Foods of America

May 2011 - Present | Knoxville, TN

Contract negotiations; commodity management; operational and financial risk management; cash flow management; new item sourcing; cost savings projects; supplier development and relationship management; special projects management.

Membership Chair at National Association of Purchasing Management, East Tennessee

September 2011 - May 2013 | Knoxville, TN

Actively participate in determining the direction of the chapter via board meetings, keep all necessary records of membership, and help to grow the organization.

Board Member at National Association of Purchasing Management, Akron Chapter

January 2011 - May 2011

Acted as Webmaster and Director of Newsletter. Created a new website and started the process of finding a professional to create a top notch site. Updated the newsletter to look more modern and distributed to membership at least twice per month. Created and managed presence on LinkedIn.

Purchasing Manager at Main Street Gourmet

October 2001 - May 2011

Contract negotiations; commodity management; operational and financial risk management; cash flow management; inventory control; new item sourcing; managing people; special projects management.

Materials Manager at Main Street Gourmet

September 2000 - October 2001

Minimized on hand inventories and worked with production to ensure all items needed were on hand on time.

Institute for Supply Management

2009 – 2010

Certified Professional in Supply Management

The University of Akron

1999 – 2007

Bachelor of Science

Concentration: Accounting

Activities: Beta Alpha Psi national honors fraternity

Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals

SC Pro Level 1 certification

Concentration: SC Pro Level 1