Meet Rachel DeLatte, a Purchasing Team Lead who’s proof that curiosity and determination can take you far. Since joining FCX in 2016, she’s grown from receptionist to team leader, now guiding her purchasing team with care, precision, and a love for solving challenges.
What is your current role and what does a typical day look like for you?
I’m a Purchasing Team Lead at FCX Performance. My day usually starts with running reports to keep inventory balanced and making sure customer backorders are covered. I manage and support the purchasing team by reviewing their workload, answering questions, and helping resolve issues so orders keep moving.
I also handle supplier pricing, making updates and reviewing reports to keep purchasing accurate and efficient. Another part of my role is reviewing stock order requests to make sure the right products are being ordered at the right time. A big focus for me is keeping the team organized and on track so we can meet deadlines and fulfill orders on time.
How long have you been with the company, and what initially drew you to your position?
I’ve been with FCX Performance since January 2016. I started out as the receptionist, which gave me the chance to interact with every department and learn how the business runs. That experience quickly showed me that purchasing was the area I wanted to grow in.
After about a year, I moved into the Purchasing Assistant role, later became a Purchasing Specialist, and eventually worked my way into my current role as Purchasing Team Lead. I’ve really enjoyed my journey here; the work keeps me busy, challenges me in the right ways, and it’s a role I genuinely find rewarding.
Being detailed, organized, and analytical helps me manage the moving parts of purchasing, while staying kind, understanding, and motivated makes it easier to work with others and keep things on track.
The best advice I’ve received is to never stop learning and not to be afraid to ask questions.
My go-to routine is writing a to-do list every morning. It helps me stay organized and prioritize what needs to be done.
Tea over coffee any day, and I’m a night owl through and through. Mornings are definitely not my thing!
Do you have any pets? If so, tell us about them.
Yes, I have three! Gidget is my 16-year-old tuxedo cat who runs the house. Priest is my 9-year-old Siberian Husky and the sweetest dog you’ll ever meet. And then there’s Bella, our Golden Retriever, who’s not quite 2 yet; she loves to cause chaos and keep us on our toes.
