David Ems
Highlands Ranch,CO
Summary
Results-driven senior procurement executive with a proven track record of successfully leading global procurement and strategic sourcing organizations managing over $4.2 billion in spend. Known as a collaborative relationship building that optimizes supplier spend on a significant scale while driving innovation, process improvement, and thriving supplier partnerships.
“Dave is an exceptional leader and expert negotiator and brought tremendous value to FDC and Western Union by significantly lowering our cost structure” - Kim Patmore Board of Trustees, Charles Schwab Funds/formally FDC & WU CFO
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director of Procurement
City and County of Denver – Department of Transportation and Infrastructure
01.2022 - Current
- Successfully built a highly valued procurement and strategic sourcing organization.
- This organization manages $4.2 billion in indirect, technology, and infrastructure spending.
- Aligned the strategic sourcing team with enterprise goals, category plans, and supplier management
- Cultivated long-term strategic partnerships with suppliers, optimized supplier engagement, and generated cost-reduction initiatives totaling $424 million
- Transformed our internal processes and supply base to be more agile, flexible, and responsive to our design and construction customers.
- Built a customer-aligned Sourcing Center of Excellence, which increased simplicity and improved user experience, efficiency, and cycle times by 32%.
- Led technology initiatives that enhanced our ability to serve internal customers and departments
- Hired and developed talent that delivered significant value-added services.
- Led cross-functional teams in change management, enhancing operational excellence and collaboration.
- Led contract negotiation efforts for major suppliers, ensuring favorable terms that supported business requirements while mitigating risk exposure.
- Evaluated emerging technologies such as e-sourcing platforms or automation tools to enhance procurement operations.
- Championed procurement best practices throughout the organization by providing training and support to stakeholders in areas such as contract management, supplier selection, or risk mitigation.
- Enhanced supplier relationships through regular communication, collaboration, and mutual goal-setting for long-term partnerships.
- Collaborated with internal stakeholders to define procurement objectives aligned with overall business goals and strategies.
Chief Procurement Officer
City of Littleton
01.2019 - 01.2021
- Performed spend analysis, modeled total cost of ownership, developed sourcing strategies, and led contract negotiations, achieving a 15% cost reduction in key supplier contracts within the first year
- Reviewed current supply base to improve their capabilities, resiliency, sustainability, and innovations
- Established KPIs for supplier performance, achieving a 25% improvement in delivery times
- Enhanced user experience in sourcing, procurement, and supplier performance management
- Selected to lead all procurement sourcing and operations for the Multi-Jurisdictional Metro Denver team, overseeing the COVID-19 response in Denver (population: 2,900,000).
- Collaborated cross-functionally to identify opportunities for improving efficiency in purchasing procedures.
- Monitored market trends closely to identify potential shifts in pricing or availability that could affect procurement decisions.
- Achieved cost savings by conducting thorough market research before initiating the purchasing process.
VP Global Strategic Sourcing
First Data (2001-2007), Western Union Financial Services (2007-2018)
01.2001 - 01.2018
- Led $3.0B in global procurement spend, achieving a 14.2% average annual savings over 12+ years
- Built a high-performing team and created a customer-aligned Sourcing Center of Excellence (CoE), improving user experience, efficiency, and cycle times by 24%
- Performed cost modeling for strategic decision-making and implemented market intelligence gathering and spend analysis to deliver innovative solutions
- Developed strategies and negotiated improved contract terms that enhanced operational efficiency
- Engaged business customers in collaborative strategic sourcing and category management strategies
- Developed and implemented supplier performance management and quality assurance programs
- Developed and executed RFP/RFQ/RFI processes, enhancing supplier compliance and procurement strategies and establishing KPIs to monitor performance.
- Consolidated the supply base by 62% and generated a 17% cost reduction
- Delivered transformative change and aligned the procurement organization to the needs of the business.
- Cultivated a high-performance culture within the organization by setting clear expectations for employees at all levels, providing regular feedback, and recognizing achievement.
- Collaborated closely with various department heads on strategic planning initiatives to ensure alignment between corporate goals.
- Drove digital transformation efforts within the organization by implementing advanced technology solutions that streamlined workflows and improved customer experience.
- Implemented cost-saving measures by conducting thorough financial analysis and identifying areas of inefficiency within the organization.
- Enhanced employee engagement and satisfaction by implementing comprehensive training programs and performance management systems.
- Championed diversity and inclusion initiatives throughout the organization, fostering greater collaboration among teams and departments.
- Developed and implemented new strategies and policies in collaboration with executive partners to establish and achieve long-term business objectives, providing the company with strong and sustainable organizational leadership.
- Introduced process improvements that reduced operational costs while maintaining high-quality standards across all departments.
- Negotiated favorable contracts with vendors, securing advantageous terms for the company while maintaining strong professional relationships.
Education
M.B.A in Finance and Accounting -
Regis University
Denver, Colorado05.2004
B.A. Business Management -
Western State Colorado University
Gunnison, Colorado05.2001
Skills
- Global Strategic Sourcing
- Spend Optimization Expert
- Lifetime ISM Certification (CPM)
- Global Procurement
- Spend Analysis
- Market Analysis and Intelligence
- Expert Negotiator
- Value-Added Partnerships
- Supplier Performance
- Cost Modeling and TOC
- Cost Reduction
- Contracts Management
- Financial and Cost Analysis
Certification
Certified Purchasing Manager (C.P.M.) Lifetime Certification from the Institute for Supply Management (ISM)
Accomplishments
- Created highly valued "go-to" global procurement and sourcing teams
- Obtained year-over-year cost savings over 12+ years, 14.2% average
- Developed value-added partnerships to deliver exceptional results
- Known as a trusted advisor and leader that optimizes vendor spend
Timeline
Director of Procurement
City and County of Denver – Department of Transportation and Infrastructure
01.2022 - Current
Chief Procurement Officer
City of Littleton
01.2019 - 01.2021
VP Global Strategic Sourcing
First Data (2001-2007), Western Union Financial Services (2007-2018)
01.2001 - 01.2018
M.B.A in Finance and Accounting -
Regis University
B.A. Business Management -
Western State Colorado University
Certified Purchasing Manager (C.P.M.) Lifetime Certification from the Institute for Supply Management (ISM)
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