John Conte

Experience

• 

  FinditParts

  Vice President of Supply Chain

  Feb 2023 - Present

  FinditParts is the nation’s largest eCommerce provider of heavy-duty truck and trailer parts. From hard-to-find parts to everyday preventative maintenance items, we offer more than 4 million heavy-duty OEM, branded, and aftermarket parts ready to ship. Each month thousands of repair shops, fleets, and owner-operators rely on FinditParts to streamline their part-sourcing efforts and keep their trucks on the road.

  • Championing a supply chain revolution at FindItParts.com, I am committed to evolving and expanding our offerings in the heavy-duty truck parts industry. As Vice President of Supply Chain, my expertise lies in navigating the complexities of e-commerce and logistics to cater to all heavy-duty truck and trailer part needs efficiently.
  • At FindItParts, my journey has involved significantly enhancing our product range and supply chain capabilities. This growth reflects in our reputation as the go-to online resource for heavy-duty truck parts. By identifying and addressing the challenges our customers face, I have played a pivotal role in transforming the industry to offer a more streamlined and effective purchasing experience.
  • Our platform merges the ease of 24x7 online ordering with the reliability of expert technical support. Customers enjoy an intuitive search experience, finding exactly what they need using part numbers, keywords, or cross-references. Our dedicated professionals are always available to help with technical queries, ensuring a smooth and informed buying process.
  • We take pride in delivering a superior online shopping experience, highlighted by robust order tracking and complete access to purchase history. My focus on enhancing supply chain efficiency and expanding our product offerings continues to set new standards in the heavy-duty truck parts market, ensuring FindItParts remains synonymous with quality, convenience, and customer satisfaction.

• Conte Logistics Consulting, LLC

  Founder and CEO

  Nov 2015 - Present

  We believe that logistics and supply chain management make the world a better place. Without it, we would not have food on our tables, entertainment or competitive options in the marketplace. When it comes to your business and specific needs we will partner together to develop and execute a logistics and supply chain strategy that will meet and exceed you and your customers goals. Conte Logistics Consulting was developed to help small to medium-sized companies unlock hidden savings found within their operations today. Using the most cutting edge and industry best practices available in combination with our years of experience we are certain that we can partner together and achieve cost savings. Logistics and Supply Chain Management as a cost center is an old school thought process and we have proven experience in converting those operations into profit centers for our partners.

  • Since its inception in 2015, Conte Logistics Consulting, LLC, led by John Conte, has established itself as a leading consultancy in the supply chain sector. We specialize in delivering customized logistics solutions that streamline operations, enhance efficiency, and promote sustainable growth for our clients. Our core areas of expertise include advanced shipping carrier negotiations, innovative warehouse design, strategic regional carrier modeling, and seamless TMS/YMS/WMS implementation.
  • Role Overview:
  • As Founder and CEO, I have been at the forefront of transforming supply chain operations for a diverse clientele. My approach combines strategic leadership with hands-on project management to deliver solutions that not only meet but exceed our clients' expectations. I have successfully negotiated favorable shipping rates and terms with major carriers, designed warehouses that significantly improve operational efficiency, and implemented cutting-edge Transportation Management Systems (TMS), Yard Management Systems (YMS), and Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) that enhance visibility and control across the supply chain.
  • Key Accomplishments:
  • Shipping Carrier Negotiations: Spearheaded negotiations with leading shipping carriers, securing cost-effective rates and improving service levels for our clients.
  • Warehouse Design: Led the design and optimization of warehouse operations, utilizing space more efficiently and enhancing workflow for faster order fulfillment.
  • Regional Carrier Modeling: Developed regional carrier models that optimized delivery networks, reducing transit times and costs, and improving reliability.
  • TMS/YMS/WMS Implementation: Successfully implemented state-of-the-art TMS, YMS, and WMS solutions, significantly improving supply chain visibility, efficiency, and scalability.
  • Skills and Qualifications:
  • Extensive experience in supply chain management and logistics.
  • Proven success in strategic negotiations and partner relations.
• 

  SimpleTire

  Head of Logistics

  May 2022 - Feb 2023

  Sixty years ago, Sam Walton started a single mom-and-pop shop and transformed it into the world’s biggest retailer. Since those founding days, one thing has remained consistent: our commitment to helping our customers save money so they can live better. Today, we’re reinventing the shopping experience and our associates are at the heart of it. When you join our Walmart family of brands (Sam's Club, Bonobos, Moosejaw and many more!), you’ll play a crucial role in shaping the future of retail, improving millions of lives around the world. We are ecstatic to have been named a Great Place to Work® Certified May 2023 – May 2024, Disability: IN 2023 Best Places to Work, and Fast Company 100 Best Workplaces for Innovators 2023. This is that place where your passions meet purpose. Join our family and build a career you’re proud of.

  • As the Head of Logistics, I played a pivotal role in innovating and streamlining our logistics operations to redefine tire purchasing online. My focus was on enhancing our supply chain efficiency and expanding our tire assortment to cater to a diverse range of customer needs.
  • Under my leadership, SimpleTire.com saw significant advancements in logistics, leading to an enriched inventory of tires from various manufacturers. This expansion not only diversified our product offerings but also improved availability, ensuring customers always found the tires they needed.
  • I was instrumental in integrating cutting-edge logistics technology, optimizing the supply chain to ensure fast, reliable, and cost-effective delivery. Our logistics model was tailored to meet the unique demands of online tire retail, combining speed and accuracy to enhance customer satisfaction.
  • Our platform, designed for seamless navigation, allowed customers to effortlessly find the right tires with tools to search by vehicle, tire size, or brand. Complementing this was our dedicated customer service team, ready to assist with any queries, ensuring an informed and hassle-free purchase experience.
  • At SimpleTire.com, we committed to offering not just a vast selection of tires but also a streamlined purchasing journey, from selection to delivery. My tenure as Head of Logistics was marked by continuous improvements in operational efficiency, customer service excellence, and a relentless drive to position SimpleTire as a leader in the online tire retail space.
• 

  SimpleTire

  Head of Supply Chain, Transportation

  Sep 2021 - May 2022

  Sixty years ago, Sam Walton started a single mom-and-pop shop and transformed it into the world’s biggest retailer. Since those founding days, one thing has remained consistent: our commitment to helping our customers save money so they can live better. Today, we’re reinventing the shopping experience and our associates are at the heart of it. When you join our Walmart family of brands (Sam's Club, Bonobos, Moosejaw and many more!), you’ll play a crucial role in shaping the future of retail, improving millions of lives around the world. We are ecstatic to have been named a Great Place to Work® Certified May 2023 – May 2024, Disability: IN 2023 Best Places to Work, and Fast Company 100 Best Workplaces for Innovators 2023. This is that place where your passions meet purpose. Join our family and build a career you’re proud of.

  • Leading the transportation team to create solutions that will exceed our customers expectations regarding the transportation of their products.
• 

  IKEA

  Senior Director of Product Management- Digital Fulfillment, Supply Chain and Logistics

  May 2020 - Sep 2021

  The IKEA vision is to create a better everyday life for the many people. Our business idea is to offer well-designed, functional and affordable, high-quality home furnishing, produced with care for people and the environment. The IKEA Brand unites more than 200.000 co-workers and hundreds of companies with different owners all over the world. It’s one brand, but it reaches millions of hearts and homes. Our value chain is unique. It includes everything from product development, design, supply, manufacture and sales – and of course it begins and ends with our customers. The IKEA retail business is operated through a franchise system. Today, 12 different groups of companies market and sell the IKEA product range under franchise agreements with Inter IKEA Systems B.V. Any jobs published on this page are offered by different companies operating under the IKEA Trademark. IKEA was founded in Sweden in 1943.

  • In my role as Senior Director of Product Management at IKEA, I spearheaded the digital transformation of fulfillment, supply chain, and logistics. My focus was on integrating innovative digital solutions to streamline operations and enhance customer satisfaction in the realm of home furnishing.
  • At IKEA, I led the development and implementation of cutting-edge digital fulfillment strategies. This involved optimizing our e-commerce platform to ensure a seamless online shopping experience, from browsing to delivery. My team and I worked diligently on expanding our digital capabilities, enabling customers to enjoy a smooth, efficient, and transparent purchasing journey.
  • Central to my role was the enhancement of supply chain processes through technological advancements. I was responsible for integrating smart logistics solutions, which significantly improved inventory management, order processing, and delivery speed. This not only boosted operational efficiency but also elevated IKEA’s commitment to sustainability in logistics practices.
  • Under my leadership, the digital transformation in logistics and supply chain at IKEA was marked by a customer-centric approach. We employed data-driven strategies to anticipate customer needs and preferences, ensuring that IKEA stayed ahead in providing personalized and convenient shopping experiences.
  • My tenure at IKEA was defined by the successful merger of technology with traditional supply chain and logistics principles, setting new industry benchmarks for digital fulfillment in the retail sector. This strategic integration not only enhanced customer engagement and satisfaction but also played a crucial role in reinforcing IKEA’s position as a global leader in home furnishings
• 

  Holman

  Director of Logistics and Operations

  Sep 2015 - May 2020

  Holman offers a unique set of complementary services that address your changing needs. From fleet management, upfitting, vehicle accessories, vehicle sales, insurance, investing in the future of mobility, or all the above, we listen, we think, and we create solutions just for you.

  • Director of Logistics and Operations – (2016-2020)
  • Operations and Logistics Manager – (2015-2016)
  • Responsible for all logistics and supply chain activities including $100M+ in inventory across 60 locations including logistics for 40 dealerships parts departments, 10 manufacturing facilities and also 10 distribution centers.
  • Leading 100 union and non-union employees including 3 Managers, 7 Supervisors, 2 Logistics Coordinators and 1 Logistics Analyst. Supervisors are responsible for 90 warehouse and truck driver employees.
  • Management of department P&L, KPI/metric development and reporting, vendor relationship management, negations with vendors and union members, liaison between operations and information technology, sales and marketing.
  • Oversee regional, national and international logistics operations including trucks used for reverse logistics with a fleet made up of 26’ box trucks.
  • Cost centers changed to profit centers with regards to shipping, using data and analytics I was able to develop a same-day shipping "amazon" service for a fee to our customers and also was able to develop and implement a handling fee. These services and improvements added an additional revenue of $1mm in the first year.
  • Location optimization, using logistics data a re-design was developed and implemented to add and remove distribution centers, and also to partner with 3PL warehouse locations. This resulted in a cost savings of $750k annually.
  • Worked with WMS systems included SAP and Microsoft Dynamics; TMS Systems including Cloud Based – Kuebix, Freightsnap, Zuum, AFS; and Business Objects for reporting and Sales Force for reporting.
  • Implementation of transportation management software, resulting in a year one cost savings of $400k relates to a $2.2mm shipping spend (20% reduction)
  • System above was implemented across the entire Holman Enterprise and cost savings of $18mm (18% reduction)
• 

  Holman

  Manager, Vehicle Supply Chain

  Sep 2012 - Sep 2015

  Holman offers a unique set of complementary services that address your changing needs. From fleet management, upfitting, vehicle accessories, vehicle sales, insurance, investing in the future of mobility, or all the above, we listen, we think, and we create solutions just for you.

  • Managed national fleets globally providing services for Fortune 500 Companies including procure the chassis, order all the equipment, coordinate the install, all the logistics for vehicle delivery, and licensing.
  • Responsible for managing a team of 50 overseeing all vehicle transportation and manufacturing status for all 100,000 orders placed annually for our fleet customers.
  • Revenue generation through developing and implementing a program for customers to pay for express vehicle order placement with the OEM (5% of the chassis cost) This resulted in an annual revenue generation of $16mm in revenue on average
  • Oversaw all the digital supply chain where third-party partners were utilized to execute the tactical efforts
  • Responsible to manage the internal and external client expectations.
  • Recommendations of vehicle specifications and order cycles to maximize cost savings for our customers was a primary function of this role, lead a time of 50 supply chain administrative professionals as well as Supervisors.
  • Development and implementation of a vehicle build status tracking link that would allow modification centers (2,000 of them) to enter build status milestones direct into our system, that system then posted out to customer's dashboard for supply chain visibility. This resulted in a workforce savings of 15 headcounts ($900k annual) and allowed for exception management and proactive client notification, resulting in improved customer service out of the operations (Survey results of 22% from 10%).
  • Vehicle Transportation Revenue Generation, taking a pass-through cost and negotiating new pricing with vendors we were able to pass through some savings while keeping margin in-house. This then morphed into a "white glove" premium pay service. Combined revenue generation from both programs annually was $4.6mm annually.
• 

  Holman

  Supply Chain Supervisor

  Aug 2011 - Sep 2012

  Holman offers a unique set of complementary services that address your changing needs. From fleet management, upfitting, vehicle accessories, vehicle sales, insurance, investing in the future of mobility, or all the above, we listen, we think, and we create solutions just for you.

  • Responsible for providing status reports and information for all vehicles to clients and coworkers
  • Built and analyzed reports to show vehicle status, buildouts, delays, and restrictions utilizing SAP BusinessObjects
  • Responsible for monthly department goals and report findings to upper management
• 

  CDM ELECTRONICS INC

  Supply Chain & Logistics Manager

  Jan 2006 - Dec 2011

  CDM Inc. was founded in 1993 and specializes in the authorized distribution of interconnect products and the manufacturing of engineered cable assemblies. CDM is headquartered in Southern New Jersey and operates from an ISO 9001:2015/AS9100D certified 43,000 square foot, state-of-the-art distribution and manufacturing facility. CDM also maintains a 51,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Salisbury, MD, along with a regional sales office in Richardson, TX and Huntsville, AL. CDM is a valued partner to the world’s best-known military contractors, aircraft manufacturers, communications providers and medical diagnostic equipment leaders. CDM employs a staff of certified assembly technicians, mechanical and electrical engineers, quality and testing technicians, and interconnect industry professionals who all share a customer focus. CDM has a proud history of providing creative and cost-effective solutions to industry leaders for a wide range of interconnect applications.

  • Supply Chain and Logistics Manager (2008-2011)
  • Shipping and Receiving (2006-2008)
  • Managed a team of 7 employees overseeing incoming and outgoing shipments worldwide of electrical components and wire assemblies.
  • Confirmed that exports met federal trade regulations.
  • Performed quality inspections of all purchased product, which is used for re-sale, inventory, or production.
  • Oversaw three warehouses of inventory totaling over 3 million dollars. Other duties include employee scheduling, reviews, and other managerial duties.
  • ERP/TMS Data Connection: This project connected the applicable shipping data points needed to generate a shipment for either parcel or freight and using a reference number would auto-feed all the pertinent information into the shipping system from the ERP sales order. This was a time saving and operational excellence addition as there was very little human touch to generate the shipment reducing mis-ships to just 0.01% annually (100,000 shipmentsroughly 10).
  • Related to above: The time to create a shipment was reduced to 62 seconds vs 3 minutes. This resulted in higher through-put allowing more customers to experience same day shipping raising the customer service bar for CDM.
  • Warehouse product layout optimization (Six Sigma), developed a new warehouse layout to remove wasted steps from the process, resulting in in a total time savings of 8000 labor hours or $144k
• 

  Radwell International

  Logistics Specialist

  Sep 2000 - Jan 2006

  At Radwell, a CVC and Greenbriar Portfolio Company, our primary mission is to keep your production lines running smoothly and efficiently. As a global leader in industrial automation solutions, we are dedicated to providing you with an extensive inventory of automation parts, expert repair services, and proactive solutions that minimize downtime and maximize productivity. Our direct relationships with over 400 manufacturers worldwide enable us to offer "factory fresh" products straight from the OEM, ensuring the highest quality and reliability. Our commitment to excellence ensures that we are your trusted partner in maintaining uninterrupted operations.

  • I specialize in enhancing supply chain efficiency, reducing transportation costs, and optimizing inventory management. My expertise encompasses strategic logistics planning, inventory control, and implementing cutting-edge logistics technology, making me a key player in achieving operational excellence and customer satisfaction.
  • Core Competencies:
  • Supply Chain Optimization: Expertise in managing end-to-end supply chain operations, from procurement to customer delivery, ensuring seamless, cost-effective processes.
  • Cost Reduction & Efficiency Improvement: Proven track record in negotiating with suppliers and transporters, route optimization, and adopting lean logistics practices to significantly lower expenses and boost operational productivity.
  • Data Analysis & Forecasting: Skilled in leveraging data analytics for supply chain insights, forecasting demand, and adjusting inventory levels to meet market needs efficiently.
  • Stakeholder Collaboration: Strong collaborator with suppliers, internal teams, and customers to enhance service levels and resolve logistical challenges.
  • Key Achievements:
  • Transportation Cost Reduction: Achieved a 15% reduction in transportation costs through strategic carrier negotiations and optimizing logistics routes.
  • On-Time Delivery Excellence: Maintained a 98% on-time delivery rate, fostering exceptional customer satisfaction and loyalty.
  • Warehouse Efficiency: Enhanced warehouse operations efficiency by 20%, improving order processing times.
  • Inventory Management: Developed a demand forecasting model that decreased inventory costs by 10% while ensuring a 99.5% product availability rate.
  • In my role at Radwell International, I am committed to leveraging my deep knowledge in logistics and supply chain management to drive forward operational improvements, reduce costs, and enhance customer service. My focus on innovation, efficiency, and strategic planning makes me a valuable asset for teams aiming for excellence in logistics operations.