RICHMOND, VA –
Employee spotlight regularly features outstanding non-supervisory personnel from throughout the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation and other DLA employees on Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia. Organizational directors may submit the names of employees they wish to feature in this column to DLA Aviation Public Affairs.
Name: Kristie Yates
Organization: DLA Aviation, Supplier Operations, Aviation Fixed Wing & Components Division, Boeing Integrated Supplier Team
Years of service at DLA: Two years, two months
Describe your job at DLA. As a purchasing agent I perform pre-award acquisition functions on purchase orders that include evaluating bid offers, conducting market research, soliciting purchase requests, performing price analysis and recommending awards to my contracting officer.
How do you support the warfighter? I perform the pre-award acquisition tasks to ensure the warfighter gets the material they need.
What do you like most about your job and why? I am extremely lucky to have the team that I do. My supervision, team lead and team members all work together supporting each other so we can deliver to the warfighter.
What aspect(s) of your current job gives you the most personal satisfaction? Being able to acquire quotes to exceed the monthly metric in the OEM world can be difficult. So, when I exceed my metric by processing more awards that will send material needed by the warfighter, it gives me a lot of satisfaction.
What are your best practices for achieving goals or accomplishing tasks? Utilizing systems such as the Quote Analysis Tool, Weekly Status Report, and Acquisition Dashboard helps me to achieve my goals. These tools and reports allow me to manage my time efficiently by providing important information in one location. I can research quotes, prior procurements, prior awardees, backorders, if there are multiple PRs, and much more.
What are some of your passions outside of work? When I’m not at work I enjoy time with my family and friends. Whether it is as simple as having dinner or going on trips, as long as we’re together, I am happy!
Who is the most influential person in your life, either past or present? My mom is simply the most wonderful person. She is hardworking, motivating, loving and selfless. She is always present for my kids, my husband, and me. My life will be a successful one If I turn out to be half the woman she is as a mother, wife, employee, grandmother, etc.
Have you had a mentor that helped you grow in your career? I have had several mentors that I am beyond grateful for. I would not be where I am today without the knowledge and encouragement of Crystal Holmes, Shirley Wilcox, Christina Jones, Tiffani Perry and the whole Boeing IST team.