James Kiester

Aug 2018 - Jan 2019：　Contract with DoCLASSE KK Ltd.

- Trained Logistics Director to manage the Kyoto Distribution Center.

- Negotiated with 3PL providers to plan and setup warehouse operations for DoCLASSE Retail and Fitfit Retail.

Feb 2019: Relocated both businesses from Kyoto to Kumagaya, Japan.

- Negotiated with Sagawa Global Holdings (SGH) to establish outsourcing contract and costs.

Mar 2019-Mar 2020: Trained and managed Sagawa staff in operational procedures. Managed PL costs and long range plans. Implemented 5S program and used the PDCA cycle to improve operations.

Apr 2020 - Jan 2020: Due to limited space (2400 tsubos) at Kumagaya, the DoCLASSE Retail and Fitfit Retail businesses had to be separated.

Feb 2020 - Jan 2021: Negotiated with SGH to locate a separate location for Fitfit and relocated the operation to Ranzan.

Feb 2021 - Present: Buying and selling used cars and provided translation services for the Kakegawa Crane School

Jun 2010- Jul 2013: Setup of Warehousing Operations for 3 Separate Sites:

- Conducted nationwide warehouse search. Negotiated contracts with outside providers and rates for facility leases to minimize costs to company.

- Designed warehouse layout and Mechanized Material Handling System (MMHS) for all sites. Negotiated with vendors to finalize designs, purchase, and installation of racking and MMHS system.

- Designed and created a customized Warehouse Management System (WMS) for apparel businesses (mail order, website, wholesale, and retail operations).

- Built continuous improvement culture that attracted and retained high-performing employees while reducing costs.

- Secured discounts from third-party logistics service providers to deliver substantial cost savings.

- Managed over $20 Mil in inventory and 350 employees in a 210,000 square foot warehouse.

- Integrated warehouse operations with existing catalog/internet business and added retail and shoe business processes.

- New services: Next Day Delivery, Returns on Delivery, and setup operations for 362 days a year. Warehouse space was cut in half, shipping costs reduced by 40 Mil JPY/Year, and shipping supplies have been recently cut by 40%. Improved shipping quality by creating customized hangar shipping boxes for our customers (patent pending).

- New Services and Outsourcing: Introduced major services that increased overall company profit, reduced returns, and enabled the company to become the fastest shipper in the apparel direct marketing business.

- Parcel Pickup at Nationwide Yamato Delivery Points: Provides customer with an alternative to pickup package on their way to and from work or while out of the home, running errands.

- Introduced Cash on Delivery Services.

- Free Replacement Exchange Program (Rakugae ™): Results: Higher Customer Retention 6.3%, Shift from Refund to Replacement 25 mil JPY/Yr Additional Sales, and Direct Customer Contact & Up selling 27 mil JPY/Year. Total New Sales/Yr: 52 mil JPY.

- Returns Reduction & Recovery: Through educating the customer, we were able to reduce the return of old worn out clothing. Reduced overall return pieces from 280,320 to 259,121 for a total savings of 127 mil/yr.

- Total Outsourcing of Distribution Center Operation: Successfully transformed the DC into a totally outsourced operation. Rates are based on piece/package/count. Reduced variable operating costs from 1.25%/net sales to 1.04% (-16.8%) Annual savings of 17 mil JPY. - Supply Chain Management: Evaluated the LEJ supply chain to verify efficiencies & costs.

- Import/Traffic: Coordinated and negotiated with the LEUS office, 3 major forwarders, and 5 local customs brokers to change routing and reduce air traffic. Results: High quality, faster routing, and savings of 20 mil JPY.

- Nationwide Delivery: Negotiated with 5 carriers to improve service and cost. Results: Better customer service (specified date/time deliveries) and cost savings of 14 million JPY.

- Distribution Center (DC): Identified key business processes to create detailed instruction guides. Implemented annual business reviews to formally evaluate efficiencies and costs (10 mil).

- DC Management: Long Range Business Plans – Developed detailed plans for DC expansion over the next 5 years.

- DC Relocation: Warehouse search, layout designs, and plans for opening business in Takasaki. Moved facility to Fujieda 2 years later. Results: Highly successful move with no interruption to daily business. - Coordinated with the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry, the local tax office, and main US office to develop and implement import and quota procedures for the LEJ shoe business

1993 – 1994: Superintendent, Supply Contingency Plans, Headquarters Supply Chain Management: Developed procedures and plans to route military equipment and supplies throughout the Pacific during peace and wartime. Conducted annual inspections throughout bases in the Pacific to evaluate logistical performance and standardize procedures. Planned joint exercises with the Japan Air Self Defense Force to train and improve Japanese self-defense. Developed joint contingency plans for implementation during crisis and wartime situations. Provided simultaneous English /Japanese translations at exercises and conferences.

1992 – 1993: Chief, Materiel Storage & Distribution Warehouse Management: Directed the receipt, storage, inspection, and delivery operation for 5 supply warehouses, 1 retail store, and 45 forward supply locations at Yokota Air Base. Designed and coordinated with the Government of Japan to provide justification and cost analysis for funding of new warehouses. Designed and installed Mechanized Materials Handling Systems for the warehouse.

1990 – 1992: Chief, Management and Systems Logistics Management: Responsible for Systems, Training, Customer Service, & Inspection. Developed standardized procedures and analyzed performance of all Yokota supply activities. Developed training plans and programs for all newly assigned supply personnel. Provided customers with solutions to their supply related needs and problems through the supply customer service center. Designed and developed computer systems and reports to support the entire base to include procurement, finance, transportation, and supply management reports. Established procedures that controlled over $50 million of supply inventory.

Prior to 1990: Held other supervisory and management positions in Quality Control, Inspection, Administration, and Finance/Accounting.