Matthew Richards began his career after graduating from Michigan State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management.  The University’s Supply Chain program is ranked as the top program in the nation and upon his graduation Mathew’s talents and knowledge were quickly put to work as the Assistant General Manager for Schupbach’s Sporting Goods Inc. While at Schupbach’s Matthew would develop innovative strategies and training programs that ensured the creation of a true sales force. His service oriented platforms infused his team with a cohesive organizational framework that motivated and inspired them to increase sales by over 65% in an exceedingly competitive marketplace. 

After leaving Schupbach’s Mr. Richards joined Cabela’s Inc., a publicly traded company, (NYSE:CAB), and the “World’s Foremost Outfitters” in active outdoor apparel, sporting and recreational equipment. Matthew Richards’ illustrious career as an expert in the field of supply chain analysis and organizational management has traversed a wide range of duties and is replete with his share of success stories.  

As the Associate Category Manager for Cabela’s Inc. Mr. Richards was responsible for growing one of the company’s merchandise categories of 28 million dollar annual sales by double digits while simultaneously increasing their gross margins by an unprecedented triple digit base points. His exemplary managerial abilities spanned eight foreign and twenty-seven domestic vendors that incorporated product development sourcing, price negotiation and cultivate long term marketing partnerships which proved invaluable to the corporation’s success.  

In 2005 Cabela’s was experiencing a rate of growth that quickly threatened to implode the company due to distribution infrastructure inadequacies.  Tapped to spearhead this pivotal program for developing and implementing a fully actualized methodology, Matthew created a program that would integrate turn-key solutions for existing concerns while allowing for further expansions.  The ramp up was rapid and the need to produce detailed instructions and procedures was required to guarantee its success.  Due to his diligence, experience and creativity Cabela’s new system provided a level of achievement that represented not just an operational savings of 3.9 million dollars but solidified the company’s continued profitability through their aggressive expansion plan.

When public feedback about poor overseas working conditions by such brand named manufacturers as Nike and Apple became International news, Cabela’s took a proactive approach to the issue head on.  Once again senior management tapped Matthew to lead a team in the development of their own Social Responsibility Program. Within a year he had brought forth a fully operational and comprehensive Social Responsibility Program designed to proactively ensure Cabela’s supply chain would be free from unethical practices.

Mathew gained additional responsibility for Cabela’s risk management focusing on Conflict Minerals (minerals obtained/traded through inhumane methods also known as Blood Diamonds. As Cabela’s point of contact for the US Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection through the Customs- Trade Partnership Against Terrorism program (C-TPAT).  Mathew furthered his business acumen with a Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt Certification; a program developed by Bill Smith of Motorola that incorporated innovative quality improvement methods learned over the last 6o years.  The course taught students ability of manufacturing processes to produce a very high proportion of output within specification.  Through the course of his career Mr. Richards’ skills and tireless work ethic have proven he is the right man for the job and his successful programs and systems are still in use today.  Mathew has never let a challenge go unmet and continues to seek ways to improve for himself and those around him.