Arden Lynn
Glen Allen,VA
Summary
Dedicated procurement professional with robust history of driving procurement strategies and optimizing supply chain processes to achieve organizational goals. Highly skilled at fostering collaborative team environments and adapting to dynamic business needs. Proven skills in contract negotiation, vendor management, and strategic sourcing, valued for reliability and results-oriented mindset. Determined, organized and self-motivated professional experienced in project management, team development and process improvement. Skilled in developing and implementing strategies to increase efficiency and performance. Passionate about driving business growth and creating positive work environment.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Associate Director of Procurement
Virginia Department of Education
07.2024 - Current
- Overseeing and monitoring compliance of the procurement efforts for the central office school division staff
- Managing a team of four Procurement officers
- Developing training and development plan for procurement staff
- Developing and monitoring key performance indicators for Procurement Team
- Developing and conducting training for procurement and non-procurement staff members
- Serving as Program Administrator for the Small Purchase Charge Card program, and as eVA Lead
- Delegating and responding to Procurement-related FOIA requests
- Providing all necessary trainings to the internal agency clients and vendors on the state procurement functions, eVA, and SPCC programs
- Manage, in conjunction with HR, hiring, on-boarding and separation activities
- Project management oversight of procurement projects with a value of more than $100K, including construction projects, professional services, technology, as well as general goods and services
- Actively conduct procurement efforts (complex, high-dollar, special project-related)
- Agency SWAM Champion
- Development and execution of engagement/team building programs
- Department of Education Engagement Committee Member (chair of DOE Music program)
- Review proposed regulatory changes and evaluated potential impacts on business operations.
- Establish team priorities, maintained schedules and monitored performance.
- Evaluate employee performance and conveyed constructive feedback to improve skills.
- Define clear targets and objectives and communicated to other team members.
Division Director for Complex Procurement (Office of Procurement & General Services)
Virginia Department of Health
02.2022 - 07.2024
- Overseeing and monitoring compliance of the procurement efforts for the central office and 35 local health district offices across the state
- Managing a team of five Procurement officer
- Development of career paths and succession planning for procurement staff
- Developing and monitoring key performance indicators for Complex Procurement Team
- Serving as Program Administrator for the Small Purchase Charge Card program, and as eVA Security officer back-up
- Delegating and responding to Procurement-related FOIA requests
- Providing all necessary trainings to the internal agency clients and vendors on the state procurement functions, eVA, and SPCC programs
- Manage, in conjunction with HR, hiring, on-boarding and separation activities
- Overseeing all procurement projects with a value of more than $100K, including construction projects, professional services, technology, as well as general goods and services
- Actively conduct procurement efforts (complex, high-dollar, special project-related)
- Agency SWAM Champion
- Planning and execution of Music on the Mezzanine employee engagement program and VDH mentorship program
- Division-internal oversight of external audit response activities
- Plan and execute teambuilding efforts within procurement division
- Application reviewer for VDH Internship Academy
- Established effective communication channels across departments, improving collaboration and information sharing among teams.
- Managed cross-functional teams for successful project completion within budget and ontime.
- Built partnerships with other divisions to leverage collective strengths in developing comprehensive solutions for clients'' needs.
Procurement Manager – Administrative Services Division
Virginia Department of Transportation
07.2021 - 02.2022
- Managed all procurement efforts made by the three-member team of contract officers
- Delegated new procurement sourcing requests
- Updated and maintained accurate records involving various high-dollar, high risk, and complex procurement actions
- Conducted hiring and separation activities as well as developed employee training plans in partnership with HR
- Negotiated Agency-Vendor disagreements, contract terms, service level agreements, standard operating procedures, and scope of work documents
- Actively participated in risk mitigation effort in response to vendor default
High Risk Strategic Procurement Consultant (PO III)
Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority
02.2019 - 07.2021
- Provided training and coaching to procurement staff members and assisted with the drafting and implementation of Authority Procurement policies and procedures
- Managed construction solicitations for renovations made to existing warehouses, sealed/unsealed Bidding (IFB), sealed/unsealed competitive negotiations (RFP), quick quote procurements, sole source justification requests, and cooperative purchasing arrangements
- Oversaw all high-dollar, high-risk, complex procurements for the Authority relating to the relocation from Richmond City to Hanover County, VA
Procurement & Contract Administrator
Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation
05.2017 - 02.2019
- Coordinated the training and development for JYF staff on eVA usage, SPCC usage, and general procurement rules and regulations
- Managed the procurement administrative staff by creating and implementing procurement tracking and retention systems
- Served as the Surplus Property Administrator and SWAM Coordinator
- Responsible for all procurement over the small purchase threshold of $5,000
- Developed and executed training in contract administration, surplus property and state procurement regulations for agency staff
- Enhanced client relationships by providing exceptional support during the contract negotiation process.
- Maintained strict confidentiality of sensitive information while handling sensitive client contracts.
- Ensured timely execution of contracts by closely monitoring deadlines and coordinating efforts with internal teams.
- Stored and filed contract documents in orderly, organized systems.
- Addressed contract disputes and provided advice and guidance to resolve issues.
Buyer
Canon Virginia, Inc.
09.2011 - 05.2017
- Facilitated and served as translator/interpreter for communications/meetings with Canon Inc members as well as with vendors
- Coordinated Green Procurement Program
- Sourced and expedited the production of parts from domestic and overseas suppliers
- Evaluated the supplier facility environments, including supplier EMS and part chemical content
- Drafted and managed Drawing Control Procedures and liaised with Canon Incorporated (Japan ordering)
- Obtained endorsement as a “Canon-certified Environmental Evaluator”
- Presented with the “Canon Spirit Award for Excellence in Customer Service”
- Graduated from the “Canon Emerging Leaders” program, with UVA/VA Tech
Translator/Interpreter
Canon Virginia, Inc.
09.2011 - 01.2013
- Translated production-related documents from Japanese to English and English to Japanese
- Conducted simultaneous interpretation for production-line construction and start-ups, environmental and quality assurance projects, engineering presentations, and conferences
- Supported the translation and interpretations of Canon-sponsored programs (Newport News Sister Cities)
- Served as lead interpreter for QA and line installation
- Contributed to the creation of Canon Dictionary (Japanese and English glossary of terms used in the translation of manufacturing documents)
Board of Education Foreign Teacher Liaison/Assistant Language Teacher Program
01.2015 - 01.2017
Education
Change Management Certification -
Cornell University
10.2024
Inquiry Driven Leadership Certification -
MIT Sloan School of Business
06.2021
Master of Business Administration -
University of Maryland University College
12.2019
Master of Environmental Management -
University of Maryland University College
05.2017
Postgraduate (TESOL) Certification -
The University of Edinburgh
05.2002
Bachelor’s degree - Applied Linguistics (Japanese Language)
Boston University
05.1997
Skills
- Project Management
- Influential Leadership
- Risk Analysis
- Environmental Compliance Oversight
- Strategic Alliance Development
- Organizational Change Management
- Process Optimization
- Strategic Negotiation
- Policy Development
- Effective Leadership Communication
- Public Sector Procurement
- Collaborative Team Development
- Professional Coaching
- Engaging Presentation Skills
- Japanese/English Translation and Interpretation
- Technology Acquisition Expertise
- Contract Oversight
Accomplishments
- Collaborated with multi-state team in the sourcing and acquisition of maintenance and enhancement for the Crossroads system (WIC program).
- Resolved procurement protest through effective coordination of resources and communication.
- Facilitated high-functioning, self-organizing team by building an environment of team security and collaboration.
Certification
- DiSC Certified Practitioner, 2025
- Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM), 2024
- Cornell Change Management, 2024
- JPLT Level 1 Proficiency
- Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO)
- Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB)
- NIGP Certified Procurement Professional (NIGP-CPP)
- Virginia Contract Administration & Risk Management (VCARM)
- Virginia Construction Contracting Officer (VCCO)
- Virginia Contracting Officer (VCO)
- Virginia Contracting Associate (VCA)
- NIGP-CCP Certification, 2023
- American Heart Association CPR certification, 2023
- NIGP Cloud Procurement Specialization certification, 2023
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Japanese
Full Professional
Timeline
Associate Director of Procurement
Virginia Department of Education
07.2024 - Current
Division Director for Complex Procurement (Office of Procurement & General Services)
Virginia Department of Health
02.2022 - 07.2024
Procurement Manager – Administrative Services Division
Virginia Department of Transportation
07.2021 - 02.2022
High Risk Strategic Procurement Consultant (PO III)
Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority
02.2019 - 07.2021
Procurement & Contract Administrator
Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation
05.2017 - 02.2019
Board of Education Foreign Teacher Liaison/Assistant Language Teacher Program
01.2015 - 01.2017
Buyer
Canon Virginia, Inc.
09.2011 - 05.2017
Translator/Interpreter
Canon Virginia, Inc.
09.2011 - 01.2013
Inquiry Driven Leadership Certification -
MIT Sloan School of Business
Master of Business Administration -
University of Maryland University College
Master of Environmental Management -
University of Maryland University College
Postgraduate (TESOL) Certification -
The University of Edinburgh
Bachelor’s degree - Applied Linguistics (Japanese Language)
Boston University
Change Management Certification -
Cornell University
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