Brandon Lai
Rowville,Australia
Summary
Strategic Procurement Specialist with over 10 years in supply chain leadership, managing $70M in annual spend across 200+ SKUs. Achieved 95% DIFOT and reduced state transfers by 67% while importing 700+ containers annually. Expertise in market analysis and cultivating supplier relationships to drive cost efficiency.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
PROCUREMENT SPECIALIST - IMPORTS ANZ
Entyce Food Ingredients Pty Ltd
Scoresby, Australia
01.2024 - Current
- Oversaw $70 million annual procurement spend across 200+ SKUs, doubling product range from 100.
- Facilitated yearly import of 700+ containers, optimizing logistics structures and enhancing operational efficiency.
- Maintained 95% DIFOT consistency through effective replenishment planning and inventory management.
- Established fixed sea freight rates, ensuring budget predictability and cost control within import operations.
- Reduced state inventory transfers by 67%, generating substantial cost efficiencies.
- Reduced monthly waste in Sydney by $13K through refinement of operational processes addressing logistics shortages.
- Collaborated with teams to accurately forecast demand and align procurement strategies, improving supply chain responsiveness.
- Conducted thorough supplier evaluations to maintain high quality standards in food product sourcing.
PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR
Entyce Food Ingredients Pty Ltd
Carrum Downs, Australia
11.2022 - 12.2023
- Led 15-20 staff in supervising production operations, achieving output targets, ensuring product quality, and maintaining GMP compliance across manufacturing lines.
- Managed end-to-end inventory control processes, ensuring accurate month-end stocktakes, efficient goods receiving, timely dispatch, and effective FIFO rotation.
- Ensured OHS/GMP compliance through regular site inspections and implementation of corrective actions.
- Collaborated with QA leadership to ensure SQF and UL certification requirements.
- Developed, commissioned, and documented SOPs for newly acquired equipment, enabling smooth operator transitions.
PROPERTY MANAGER & SALES ASSISTANT
Harcourts Manningham / Coronis Group
Melbourne, Australia
09.2021 - 11.2022
- Managed residential and commercial property portfolios, overseeing leasing, maintenance coordination, compliance reporting, and fostering tenant relations to ensure satisfaction and retention.
- Coordinated property inspections and maintenance with tradespeople, ensuring clear communication with stakeholders to uphold service standards.
- Conducted ingoing, outgoing, and routine condition reports with attention to detail and regulatory compliance.
- Prepared rental market comparison reports and valuations, negotiating with clients to support informed sales and leasing decisions.
MANUFACTURING SUPERVISOR
Entyce Food Ingredients Pty Ltd
Carrum Downs, Australia
10.2019 - 06.2021
- Supervised production teams to achieve daily operational targets.
- Oversaw bagging line operations maintaining production efficiency and SQF/UL compliance.
- Managed inventory control through stocktakes and FIFO rotation to ensure optimal stock levels.
OPERATIONS MANAGER
PappaRich USA Inc.
New York City Metropolitan Area, USA
10.2017 - 09.2019
- Established and managed centralised distribution kitchen operations supporting multiple restaurant locations.
- Implemented quality control standards, ensuring product consistency across all locations.
- Negotiated raw material pricing with suppliers, enhancing cost control across restaurant network.
- Analysed wages and COGS, identifying performance gaps and implementing workflow improvements.
ASSISTANT OPERATIONS MANAGER
PappaRich Australia Pty Ltd
, Australia
04.2016 - 11.2017
- Supported operations manager in updating standard operations manual and facilitating new restaurant openings across Australia to ensure consistency and compliance.
- Coordinated rollout of new menu items across franchise network, ensuring timely implementation and adherence to brand standards.
- Conducted restaurant audits across food safety, service quality, and cleanliness criteria.
- Trained front-of-house staff, enhancing customer service and fostering effective team communications.
WAREHOUSE MANAGER
Asian Delicious Cuisine Pty Ltd
, Australia
08.2014 - 03.2016
- Coordinated day-to-day warehouse operations, ensuring timely deliveries, effective distributor liaison, accurate ordering, and efficient goods receiving.
- Oversaw quality control, food storage conditions, temperature compliance, and inventory management processes.
- Provided staff training, scheduling, and maintained a safe workplace environment.
- Addressed franchisee inquiries and collaborated with suppliers to troubleshoot issues and implement solutions.
Education
Bachelor of Business - Accounting & Finance
Monash University
Melbourne, VIC01-2013
Skills
- Procurement and contracts management
- Supplier contracts negotiation
- Supplier management
- Import operations
- Freight rate negotiation
- Purchasing strategies oversight
- Contracts oversight
- Spending oversight and analysis
- Demand planning
- Supply chain planning and execution
- 3PL coordination
- Inventory optimization
- Inventory management
- Purchasing oversight
- Spending analysis
- Supplier negotiation
- Problem solving skills
References
Available upon request
Timeline
PROCUREMENT SPECIALIST - IMPORTS ANZ
Entyce Food Ingredients Pty Ltd
01.2024 - Current
PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR
Entyce Food Ingredients Pty Ltd
11.2022 - 12.2023
PROPERTY MANAGER & SALES ASSISTANT
Harcourts Manningham / Coronis Group
09.2021 - 11.2022
MANUFACTURING SUPERVISOR
Entyce Food Ingredients Pty Ltd
10.2019 - 06.2021
OPERATIONS MANAGER
PappaRich USA Inc.
10.2017 - 09.2019
ASSISTANT OPERATIONS MANAGER
PappaRich Australia Pty Ltd
04.2016 - 11.2017
WAREHOUSE MANAGER
Asian Delicious Cuisine Pty Ltd
08.2014 - 03.2016
Bachelor of Business - Accounting & Finance
Monash University