Keith W. Lewis
Chesterton
Summary
Procurement and supply chain executive with 20+ years of experience transforming purchasing organizations in high-growth, acquisition-driven environments. Proven success in vendor negotiations, cost optimization, ERP implementation, and cross-functional leadership. Recognized for building collaborative teams, reducing spend, and driving culture change while integrating complex systems and acquisitions.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Purchasing
Smitty’s Supply
04.2022 - Current
- Transformed purchasing from transactional to strategic, engaging suppliers to reduce overall costs by 4% year-over-year.
- Reduced tail spend by $100K within first 8 months.
- Stabilized supplier base and improved associate engagement.
- Implemented ERP and ISO processes to strengthen compliance and efficiency.
- Drove culture change in safety practices and accountability.
- Developed strategic pricing programs for major brands across national and local markets.
Manager, Shared Purchasing & Strategic Vendor Relationships
RelaDyne LLC (formerly Maxum Petroleum & Paulson Oil)
01.2015 - 01.2021
- Negotiated and managed vendor programs delivering $3M+ in rebates with competitive pricing.
- Centralized purchasing operations, reducing staff from 70 to 24 while improving efficiency.
- Partnered with cross-functional teams to reduce on-hand inventory by $20M in two months.
Senior Purchasing Specialist – Shared Services
RelaDyne LLC (formerly Maxum Petroleum & Paulson Oil)
01.2013 - 01.2015
- Served as lead buyer for non-fuel items including RelaDyne branded lubricants.
- Established procurement mission, vision, and annual objectives.
- Built shared purchasing foundation that scaled with rapid company growth.
Materials Management Manager
RelaDyne LLC (formerly Maxum Petroleum & Paulson Oil)
01.2012 - 01.2013
- Member of SAP core team for training, change management, and GoLive field support.
- Supported integration of Maxum Petroleum into RelaDyne.
Manager, Continuous Process Improvement
RelaDyne LLC (formerly Maxum Petroleum & Paulson Oil)
01.2011 - 01.2012
- Led implementation of perpetual inventory in 27 warehouses.
- Delivered productivity improvements across inventory processes.
SAP Implementation Lead – Materials Management
RelaDyne LLC (formerly Maxum Petroleum & Paulson Oil)
01.2009 - 01.2011
- Consolidated 7 operating companies onto a single ERP platform.
- Led migration of 10,000+ materials and trained 50+ employees.
Marketing Manager
RelaDyne LLC (formerly Maxum Petroleum & Paulson Oil)
01.2000 - 01.2010
- Managed branding, pricing, promotion, and procurement across automotive and commercial segments.
- Supported sales through analysis, product strategies, and customer programs.
Education
BS - Business Administration, Marketing Concentration
Valparaiso University
Valparaiso, INSkills
- Strategic Sourcing & Supplier Engagement
- ERP & ISO Implementation (SAP, IFS, SAGE, Procurement Systems)
- Cost Reduction & Inventory Optimization
- M&A Integration & Change Management
- Team Leadership & Development
- Contract Negotiations & Pricing Strategy
Timeline
Director of Purchasing
Smitty’s Supply
04.2022 - Current
Manager, Shared Purchasing & Strategic Vendor Relationships
RelaDyne LLC (formerly Maxum Petroleum & Paulson Oil)
01.2015 - 01.2021
Senior Purchasing Specialist – Shared Services
RelaDyne LLC (formerly Maxum Petroleum & Paulson Oil)
01.2013 - 01.2015
Materials Management Manager
RelaDyne LLC (formerly Maxum Petroleum & Paulson Oil)
01.2012 - 01.2013
Manager, Continuous Process Improvement
RelaDyne LLC (formerly Maxum Petroleum & Paulson Oil)
01.2011 - 01.2012
SAP Implementation Lead – Materials Management
RelaDyne LLC (formerly Maxum Petroleum & Paulson Oil)
01.2009 - 01.2011
Marketing Manager
RelaDyne LLC (formerly Maxum Petroleum & Paulson Oil)
01.2000 - 01.2010
BS - Business Administration, Marketing Concentration
Valparaiso University