Derek Flake
About Derek Flake
Derek Flake is the Global Commodity Manager, PCBA at Emerson in St. Louis, Missouri, with a background in supply chain management and business administration.
Current Role at Emerson
Derek Flake currently serves as a Global Commodity Manager, PCBA at Emerson in St. Louis, Missouri, United States. In this role, he manages global procurement strategies, focusing on optimizing the supply chain for printed circuit board assemblies (PCBA). His responsibilities include vendor management, performance metrics, and strategic sourcing. His efforts have led to significant improvements in supplier performance and supply chain efficiency.
Previous Experience in Supply Chain and Management
Derek Flake has a diverse background in supply chain management and operations. He previously worked as a Content Developer at Carnegie Mellon University School of Computer Science in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Before that, he was an MBA Supply Chain Intern at Emerson in Greater St. Louis Area. Between 2016 and 2018, he managed Midwest Pest Control and Home Guard Pest Control as General Manager/Owner in Little Rock, Arkansas. Earlier roles include Operations Analyst at Rimports in Provo, Utah, and Human Resources Intern at Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd in Korea. He also worked as a Project Manager at Brigham Young University.
Educational Background
Derek Flake earned his Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Carnegie Mellon University - Tepper School of Business, focusing on Business Administration and Management, General, between 2018 and 2020. Prior to this, he obtained his Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Management, General, from Brigham Young University, where he studied from 2009 to 2015. His education provides a strong foundation for his roles in supply chain management and operations.
Key Achievements at Emerson
At Emerson, Derek Flake led a cross-functional team to optimize the supply chain process, resulting in a 15% reduction in lead times. He also implemented a new vendor management system that improved supplier performance metrics by 20%. Additionally, Derek developed a comprehensive training program for new hires in the supply chain department, ensuring that incoming professionals are well-prepared for their roles.
Additional Contributions and Certifications
Derek Flake is an active mentor for young professionals in the supply chain industry through the Institute for Supply Management (ISM). He holds a Six Sigma Green Belt certification, which he used to streamline operations at Emerson. He participated in the Emerson Leadership Development Program, focusing on strategic sourcing and procurement. Derek also authored an article on the impact of global trade policies on supply chain management, published in the Journal of Supply Chain Management, and presented a paper on supply chain optimization at the 2021 Global Supply Chain Management Conference.