Ben Kirkland
About Ben Kirkland
Ben Kirkland is a Category Manager at TELUS in Toronto, Canada, with a solid background in logistics and supply chain management.
Current Role at TELUS
Ben Kirkland currently holds the position of Category Manager at TELUS in the Toronto, Canada Area. In this role, he is responsible for managing specific product categories, ensuring optimal procurement strategies, and enhancing the overall supply chain efficiency. His duties likely include collaborating with various departments to align procurement activities with business goals and implementing best practices in category management.
Previous Experience at Plexxus
Kirkland has notable experience at Plexxus, where he worked as a Sourcing Specialist from 2018 to 2019, and as a Contract Specialist from 2015 to 2018. His responsibilities at Plexxus included managing supplier relationships, contract negotiation, and ensuring cost-effective sourcing. During his tenure, he developed and executed sourcing strategies that contributed to operational efficiencies and cost savings.
Supply Chain and Financial Roles
Ben Kirkland has a solid background in logistics and supply chain management, having held positions such as Supply Chain Analyst at Rexall and Supply Chain Specialist at BlackBerry. Additionally, he worked as a Financial Analyst in BlackBerry’s Product Cost Finance - NPI Programs. His roles involved analyzing supply chain processes, managing inventory controls, and conducting financial cost analysis to support business operations.
Educational Background
Kirkland graduated from the University of Guelph, earning two Bachelor of Commerce degrees in Business/Managerial Economics and Management Economics in Industry and Finance. This academic foundation provided him with a comprehensive understanding of economics, finance, and management principles, which he has applied throughout his professional career.
Technical Skills and Expertise
Ben Kirkland possesses technical proficiency in SAP and Business Warehouse (MRP) systems, which are critical tools for supply chain management. He is also skilled in using Kinaxis Rapid Response for supply chain planning and analytics, and has expertise in Bill of Material Analysis. His abilities in financial reporting, cost analysis, and the use of Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, Access, and Outlook, further enhance his effectiveness in his roles.