Colton Kaplan

Headline

Venture Scout

Stealth

Founder

Founder Social Club

Coyax

COO and Advisor

Walmart

• Selected by senior leadership to provide network strategy, improving process prioritization through 5s warehouse layout yielding $539k cost savings and decrease in safety incidents by 30%
• Created inventory tracker for 1P and 3P freight to be systematically visible in receiving process improving on-time delivery by 10%, increasing efficiency, and exceeding customer expectations
• Utilized domain expertise identifying bottlenecks, internal stakeholders implementing process increasing 3rd party vendor service level agreement compliance, saving $500k in rework labor across network
• Mentored and coached 20+ associates fostering professional growth by conducting interviews, hiring, and training associates resulting in 90% reduction in problem pallets and best department across supply chain 
• Partnered with 5 product teams suggesting feature enhancements and bug fixes for 6 different software platforms through JIRA dashboards resulting in reduced waste, optimized efficiency, and 50k in savings

Next-Gen Inbound Manager

MastersCV

• Developed UI/UX interface and integrated software automating and optimizing efficiency for the customer
• Created process flow and built product roadmap launching 5 products in six months increasing revenue by 50%
• Identified pain points of target market, conducted market research and launched MVP going from 0 to 1
• Implemented agile and scrum methodologies executing sprints resulting in 30% response rate for outreach
• Prioritizing tasks of managing CRM, sales cycle, product marketing, and product and business development
• Executed data-driven analysis of competitor landscape resulting in iterating pricing models and monetization strategies

Founder and Product Manager

Net Impact Purdue

President

• Learned SQL, VBA, Teradata, and macros creating tools identifying item setup issues improving vendor compliance, and reducing net loss for an estimated savings of 2.5 million dollars network-wide
• Identified root causes working with software, QA, product, continuous improvement managers, inbound department leaders, and senior leadership increasing quality for customers reducing DPM in inbound freight
• Created feedback loop developing supply chain visibility for 95 departments in Fortune 1 company to merchandising teams identifying item set up issues for vendors and specific UPC information decreasing shrink
• Implemented feature requests for cycle count, general adjustments, and gross inventory adjustment reasons resulting in aided visibility regarding associates adjusting out inventory improving quality metrics

Supply Chain MBA Intern

Reef Kitchens

•	Monitored daily, weekly, and monthly inventories accurately forecasting supplies needed for upcoming shifts based on sales from previous days
•	Trained line cooks, assistant managers, and general managers on all policies, procedures, and brands executed resulting in personal and professional career growth
•	Scheduled staff to optimize peak times and reduce labor during slow periods; delegated responsibilities to hold each other accountable creating a team-oriented environment

General Manager

•	Developed par sheets to maximize profitability, reduce waste, and minimize excess ordering of products; available for all employee use, increased morale
•	Recruited more business by distributing marketing materials to local establishments resulting in more sales

Assistant Manager

Host of Change with Colton🎙 Podcast | Operations | Strategy | Lean Six Sigma | Supply Chain | Eliminating loneliness on the founder journey | Growing Founder Social Club Community

I am an accomplished supply chain professional and entrepreneur with a passion for growth and improvement.

Host the “Change with Colton” podcast, where my mission is to inspire founders to overcome adversity, gain confidence, and reach their unlimited potential.

Recently launched KindLabz which is the all-in-one supply chain for creators. We help build social impact brands that are sustainable. We are taking on all 17 sustainable development goals and giving back to the communities in need.

I helped Walmart eCommerce successfully launch the first two next-gen automated fulfillment centers. I am SME in inbound operations. I mentor leaders to help them grow in their careers professionally.

I focus on Supply Chain Management, Product Development, Data Analysis, Business Analysis, Engineering, Product Marketing, Software Development, Cross-functional Team Leadership, Sales Management, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), E-Commerce, Finance, Digital Marketing, Agile Methodologies, and Scrum.

With a goal-oriented mindset and a knack for problem-solving, I implement lean strategies to increase efficiency and reduce waste. 

I have a strong track record of working with cross-functional teams and leveraging data analytics to drive insightful decisions. I positively impact the world through entrepreneurship and product management.

In my free time, I enjoy reading, listening to podcasts, spending time with my wife, and playing with my Shih Tzu Mila.

Welcome to another Founder Social Minute.

Today we are joined by Sneh Dhruv, Founder and CEO of Trillboards.

TrillBoards helps people turn idle screens into a new source of income.

Through Founder Social Minute, I share stories of founders in the community who are collaborating, creating value, and helping each other move forward.

Excited to continue featuring more founders who are shaping the future of entrepreneurship.

Founder Social Club

#FSC #community #FounderSocialMinute #Trillboards

Podcast Host 🎙️| Founder Social Club | Eliminating loneliness for founders

Today I released the first episode of the Founder Social Club Podcast.

I started this to create a space where founders can learn from each other. Real stories, real challenges, and the decisions that shape the journey. 

Conversations about product, growth, hiring, fundraising, failures, and what it actually takes to build something meaningful.

Episode 1 is with Saurabh Misra, the founder of Codeflash. We talk about the future of coding, building from zero, founder market fit, and how AI is changing engineering.

This is day one. More conversations are coming soon.

You can listen here:

🎧 Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gN-jrNDX

 ▶️ YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gnn-Ycdc

Thank you for being part of this community.

#FounderSocialClub #Podcast

Welcome to another Founder Social Minute.

Today we are joined by Maureen Lepatan, Founder & CEO of Strathwell Inc

Strathwell Inc turns untapped spaces & services into unforgettable events.

Founder Social Club

#FSC #community #FounderSocialMinute #events

Hosted the second edition of the AI Startup Job Fair a few weeks ago with manny duenas!

It was a strong turnout with many talented people in the room.

Meet Daniel Elfving

Daniel has experience in customer success and a strong passion for blockchain, crypto, AI, and cybersecurity. He is now looking for his next role in these industries and is exploring where he can make the strongest impact.

We recorded a short Founder Social Club Spotlight to highlight his background and his experience at the event.

Sharing it here. If your team is hiring in these fields and would like an introduction, please feel free to reach out to Daniel or to me.

📸 Video Credit: Emanuel Francis

#FounderSocialSpotlight #FSC #startups #jobs

"In the early days of a startup, hiring slow and strategically is key. 

Focus on understanding your product and market first, then bring in specialized talent when it's time to scale." - Aquibur Rahman, Founder Mailmodo

Aquibur Rahman dropped a lot of knowledge on this one. 

Founder Social Club podcast.  👀 

#StartupGrowth #HiringStrategy #Entrepreneurship #FSC #podcast

Tesla

Global Supply Manager

Banjo Liquid Handling Products

• Developing rapport with 17 suppliers, negotiating lead times, implementing safety stocks, reducing backlog by 4 million dollars
• Communicating with cross-functional stakeholders developing analytical data-driven tools for supply chain visibility, shortages, and purchasing insights resulting in 15k in yearly savings
• Identifying excess inventory and conducting Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) on suppliers displacing 100,274 parts providing 28k in savings
• Utilized Oracle JDE ERP and SIOP systems forecasting demand, managing 60% of total supply chain, and 80% of revenue-generating components 
• Implementing transition of Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) to consignment, reducing stockouts, establishing contracts with vendors, and outlining payment terms
• Collaborating with engineering team eliminating obsolete inventory and procuring new components creating an innovative industry-leading product
• Optimizing inventory ordering methods reducing air freight shipments and saving 50k in logistics cost

Senior Buyer

Purdue University Krannert School of Management

•     Facilitate Krannert Executive Forum discussions between high-profile speakers and students
•     Grade students assignments, communicate with students, enforce policies, and maintain class record
•     Provide office hours to address students’ concern

Graduate Assistant

Gerson 

• Led product development evaluating pain points, partnering with executive leadership and key stakeholders
• Prepared detailed framework, technical design documents, and process flow diagram to raise capital 
• Strategically sourced talent and provided expertise maximizing output and creating project KPIs

MBA Consultant- Experiential Learning 

STEM Education Works

• Implemented new inventory system establishing reorder quantities, inventory shortages, and improved process resulting in 50% efficiency increase
• Utilized 5s strategies minimizing waste, fulfilling kanban levels, and improving production process by 20%
• Initiated bidding process for 85 high school districts reaching 90,000 individuals expanding revenue streams

Manufacturing Production Assistant Intern

•	Assist in the management of Krannert affiliated social media channels, publish attractive content and establish connections with target audience
•	Perform data coding and entry for information to be organized and updated in the different platforms used

White Lodging Services

• Supervised rooms operations within the housekeeping department; translated for new hires when necessary and walked them through the on boarding process
• MLR (main line receptionist); in charge of answering incoming calls and radio to smooth the communication between room attendants, housemen, and inspectors
• Inspected rooms and gave points of improvement 
• Operated HOTSOS, PMS, GXI frequently to keep the order of rooms operations and ease the relationship between the front desk and housekeeping department 
• Monitored inventory
•One on one interaction with guests to provide excellent service to the White Lodging standard

Supervisor 

LYFE Kitchen

• Completed inventory for all beverages in the establishment
•Collaborated with kitchen team to aid in food preparation, manage efficient deliveries and minimize customer service issues by verifying meals.
•Improved operational efficiency by using slow periods to restock employee and customer supplies, including ice, condiments, utensils, napkins, trays and delivery bags.

Intern 

HOTEL HEX

• Managed housekeepers to deliver an unforgettable experience for guests
• Assisted in running the daily operations required in front desk area using the OPERA system 
• Completed the inventory from the major hotel operations 
• Promoted the amenities the hotel has to offer to prospective clients

Recent graduate from Purdue University with my STEM MBA with a concentration in Supply Chain Management.

A highly adaptable, people-oriented, and analytical professional with demonstrated experience in implementation, project coordination, and performance management. Leverages forward thinking strategies and strong problem solving skills to create an impact in operations, procurement, and profitability. An intellectual dependable leader who enables an organization to improve their workforce and processes.

taplio

The Battle

Colton Kaplan

Daniella Cobos, MBA

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taplio

The Battle

Colton Kaplan

Daniella Cobos, MBA

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Colton Kaplan's LinkedIn Performance

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Performance ScoreColton Kaplan's LinkedIn Performance