About Me

Adam Probst

Last updated 1 May 2025

Why "Harnessed Laziness"?

I hate repetitive work: if I can eliminate it or automate it, I do. And so I fulfill my desire to stop doing the repetitive work! After teaching myself Excel formulas, Microsoft Visual Basic of Applications (VBA), and Google Apps Script / Java, I have released projects that reduce time spent by well over 90%. This blog will talk about those projects, as well as offer other ways that I think through my musings on nearly 20 years in industry.

I am looking for full-time work in the long term, and in the short term I'm available on a project-by-project basis for automation, process improvement, or other consulting. You can reach me at blog@saprobst.com .

I also cross-post on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamprobst/

What's the header image?

The images on the site are public domain photos of the Northrop/McDonnell-Douglas YF-23 "Black Widow II". It was to be the next-generation "advanced tactical fighter" to replace the F-15 and lost the contest to the YF-22 which went on to be developed into the F-22 Raptor. Although it was faster and harder to see on radar, it didn't have the same (impressive) low-speed maneuverability of the YF-22, and some elements of the design were higher-risk (like the limited space for a weapons bay). Still, it's a beautiful airplane and I have a soft spot for it.

My career to-date:

I've been aerospace-mad as far back as I can remember. In 2025 I was laid off from a major US manufacturer as part of a large-scale reduction in force. All of the company's Commodity Management was centralized from the business units, and my position was eliminated. Coincidentally, I had been looking for my next role (mostly within the company), so the layoff has increased my urgency and made me look further afield. I'm looking forward to learning a new business.

I'm looking for a Director or VP-level role.  I drive team performance through automation, organization, and people management.

I'm a process-optimization expert who leverages automation to provide maximum responsiveness with minimum effort. Demonstrated history of leading $100M+ proposals and contract negotiations, driving new product introductions. Adept at executing work transfers in operations and supply chain. Delivering results in diverse and challenging roles.

For more information, please contact me at blog@saprobst.com and I can provide an updated resume.

Recent Professional Experience

Chief Financial Officer (CFO) 2024 - Present

Created reporting and modeling to support local small business 

• Learned Google Apps Script / Java to design and develop catalog-management system cutting manual entry by 90%.

Senior Manager, Commodity Management Metrics and Tools 2024 - 2025

Developed and implemented reports and automation for Supply Chain group using Excel, Visual Basic for Applications (VBA), and SAP. Analyzed data to create performance metrics and drive continuous improvement. Oversaw cross-functional projects to enhance supply chain efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

• Implemented automated quoting process achieving 98% reduction in touch-time and improving archiving.
• Expedited key product line mitigating on-time delivery gap from 2 years to 90 days.
• Created 3K parts / 11K purchase requisitions tracker, allowing for significant decrease in past-due requisitions.
• Led projects “out of scope” for other managers, including $200M export violations settlement and gap closure on FAA undue burden assessment submittals, bringing company back into compliance with regulation.

Senior Manager, Raw Material and Embedded Spend 2023 - 2024

Selected to support division president’s initiative on indirect raw material strategy. Worked with central team to populate databases and facilitate new supplier qualifications. Routinely led or supported other teams ad-hoc.

• Championed commodity management strategy, gaining approval of $200M purchasing agreement and leveraging preferred pricing for reduced cost throughout the supply base.
• Temporarily assigned leadership of 4 direct reports, elevating performance and efficiency through targeted coaching and performance management, yielding better military proposal turn-around times.

Senior Manager, Supply Chain Work Transfers 2020 - 2023

Executed 1K+ outsourcing and supplier-to-supplier work transfers per year with international and remote team of 4-7 direct reports. Grew team (including hiring 2 candidates) and scope (to include Operations transfers).

• Completed 200-part work transfer from Turkey eliminating a geopolitical risk without affecting deliveries.
• Developed Excel VBA / SAP “overlap tool” automation which cut time 99.4%.
• Wrote and updated 20+ job instructions, standardizing processes and instructing on proper tool use.

Senior Program Manager, New Military Programs 2018 - 2020
Program Manager, New Military Programs 2013-2018

Profit-and-loss (P&L) accountable for 3-10 multi-million-dollar new product introductions including proposal, negotiation, design, qualification, and first flight. Oversaw continuous improvement activity for military business unit.

• Directed and negotiated $100M+ proposals and contracts to US government prime contractors resulting in several awards.
• Expedited engineering, supply chain, operations, and testing for 300+ parts, achieving first-flight approval.
• Established Change Board, enabling cross-functional discussions and decisions.
• Assisted other program deliveries by spending 4 months on-site at factory, minimizing customer line-stop.