Purtilar is new CPO at Goodyear

Gary Miller retires

By Tom Stundza -- Purchasing, 9/12/2007 7:56:00 AM

Mark Purtilar has been appointed chief procurement officer of Goodyear Tire & Rubber in Akron, Ohio, one of the world’s largest tire companies. He succeeds Gary A. Miller, vice president and chief procurement officer, who is retiring. Purtilar, formerly vice president of global procurement for ArvinMeritor Automotive in Troy, Mich., now will oversee Goodyear’s global procurement strategy and be responsible for the company’s $11 billion in annual purchases.

At ArvinMeritor Purtilar was responsible for $3 billion annually in purchases by the automotive parts company, where he developed the company’s global supplier strategy, initiated a low-cost country strategy and routinely exceeded purchasing performance targets.

Purtilar first joined ArvinMeritor in 1994 as manager of purchasing and inventory planning and has held various positions in purchasing, aftermarket distribution and global procurement. Prior to joining ArvinMeritor, Purtilar worked for Sara Lee from 1983 as a manager in purchasing, production and capacity planning. Purtilar received his bachelor’s degree in ancient history and his masters of business administration in international business from Northern Kentucky University.

In an e-mail to Purchasing.com, Miller says he may pursue other purchasing management or consulting opportunities.