JAWANNA NICKELSON
North Aurora,IL
Summary
Results-driven Senior Buyer and Purchasing Manager with 10+ years of experience leading procurement operations, strategic sourcing, vendor negotiations, and fleet acquisition initiatives in fast-paced corporate environments. Proven track record of driving cost savings, improving supplier performance, and optimizing purchasing processes while maintaining compliance with company standards and contractual requirements. Skilled in contract negotiations, ERP/SAP systems, KPI management, vendor relationship management, and cross-functional collaboration. Strong leadership background with experience coaching teams, improving operational efficiency, and delivering high-quality customer and stakeholder support. Adept at analyzing market trends, streamlining procurement workflows, and implementing process improvements that enhance productivity, reduce costs, and support organizational growth.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Customer Support Manager-Remote Contract
Sonova USA
Aurora, IL
03.2025 - 2026
- Accountable for leading Customer Support; ensuring timely and accurate resolution of customer inquiries and concerns
- Identify opportunities and execute change to develop a consistent, scalable, service model which is a sustainable completive advantage for Phonak
- Act as a resource to sales, training, workforce/quality management
- Explore opportunities to improve capacity, utilization, and drive superior Customer Support. Offer innovative solutions to issues that impact our employees and customers
- Improve performance by raising efficiency and exploring new technology and process improvements
- Prepare reports and analyze call center data to im, L-processes, ensure resources are properly allocated, and maximize efficiency and customer satisfaction
- Organize staff to support workforce management, customer call patterns and new product introduction.
- Identified call trends to improve efficiency, reduce problem calls and suggest solutions to upper management.
- Managed customer service effectiveness by monitoring performance and assessing metrics.
- Completed performance evaluations and rectified issues to service clients and more effectively meet KPIs.
Purchasing Services Manager-Remote
Illinois Tollway Highway Authority
Downers Grove, IL
04.2022 - 03.2025
- Ensured transparency and timely delivery for Union Leasing customers by utilizing CRM software to document and track vehicle orders. Drove the achievement of departmental metrics by providing monthly coaching, conducting performance evaluations, and delivering targeted training to buyers. Built strong vendor relationships by partnering with automobile manufacturers to facilitate factory orders, negotiate cost savings, and resolve complex issues, such as upfit delays and invoice discrepancies.
- Streamlined fleet acquisition processes by assisting in the purchase of fleet vehicles, negotiating competitive pricing within 72 hours, and issuing purchase orders to dealerships and vendors to meet client expectations.
- Optimized vendor management by tracking and reporting vendor performance, maintaining scorecards, and ensuring compliance with company standards through site visits and evaluations.
- Supported continuous improvement by reviewing and quality-checking purchase orders, maintaining KPIs, and identifying areas for operational enhancement within the purchasing department.
- Facilitated nationwide vehicle distribution by arranging transportation and ensuring seamless delivery of fleet vehicles to clients across the United States.
- Performed monthly reconciliation of open purchasing orders.
- Created purchasing policies and procedures that complied with company standards and regulatory requirements.
- Tracked contract performance metrics and reported issues or non-compliance with appropriate stakeholders.
- Oversaw contract negotiations with vendors to secure favorable terms for goods or services procured by the city administration.
- Oversaw the acquisition of new clients, effectively managing contract negotiations and onboarding processes.
Purchasing Manager
Union Leasing Inc.
Schaumburg, IL
11.2016 - 05.2022
- Ensured transparency and timely delivery for Union Leasing customers by utilizing CRM software to document and track vehicle orders. Drove the achievement of departmental metrics by providing monthly coaching, conducting performance evaluations, and delivering targeted training to buyers. Built strong vendor relationships by partnering with automobile manufacturers to facilitate factory orders, negotiate cost savings, and resolve complex issues, such as upfit delays and invoice discrepancies.
- Streamlined fleet acquisition processes by assisting in the purchase of fleet vehicles, negotiating competitive pricing within 72 hours, and issuing purchase orders to dealerships and vendors to meet client expectations.
- Optimized vendor management by tracking and reporting vendor performance, maintaining scorecards, and ensuring compliance with company standards through site visits and evaluations.
- Supported continuous improvement by reviewing and quality-checking purchase orders, maintaining KPIs, and identifying areas for operational enhancement within the purchasing department.
- Facilitated nationwide vehicle distribution by arranging transportation and ensuring seamless delivery of fleet vehicles to clients across the United States.
- Performed monthly reconciliation of open purchasing orders.
- Created purchasing policies and procedures that complied with company standards and regulatory requirements.
- Tracked contract performance metrics and reported issues or non-compliance with appropriate stakeholders.
- Oversaw contract negotiations with vendors to secure favorable terms for goods or services procured by the city administration.
- Oversaw the acquisition of new clients, effectively managing contract negotiations and onboarding processes.
Senior Buyer
Wheels Inc.
Des Plaines, IL
01.2013 - 03.2016
- Accelerated vehicle acquisition by locating and negotiating competitive fleet pricing within 24 hours, securing immediate purchases upon authorization, and meeting client needs promptly.
- Augmented client satisfaction by building professional relationships and coordinating local vehicle deliveries to align with specific client requirements.
- Resolved financial discrepancies by investigating MPIC incentives and rebate collections, documenting progress, and achieving resolutions aligned with goal requirements.
- Enhanced procurement strategies by conducting bid events, preparing detailed bid analyses, and providing informed recommendations to the purchasing manager.
- Elevated team performance by mentoring over 15 new hires and equipping them with core skills in ordering, collision management, subrogation, driver tax compliance, and assistance.
- Managed supplier relationships to ensure optimal pricing and delivery timelines.
- Developed and implemented strategic sourcing strategies to enhance procurement efficiency.
- Utilized ERP systems for tracking purchase orders and supplier performance metrics.
- Achieved cost savings by implementing strategic sourcing and supplier negotiations.
- Managed vendor purchase order dispatch, delivery, and invoicing to set contractual guidelines and maintain budgetary regulations.
- Negotiated favorable contracts with suppliers, securing optimal terms and pricing structures.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Communication
University of Phoenix
1 2020
Master of Business Administration -
University of Phoenix
11.2026
Certificate - Marketing
University of Phoenix
Skills
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), Power BI, Windows (XP, 7, 10), Auto Quote, Salesforce, CRM, PC Car Book, Microsoft Teams, Skype for Business, SAP, ERP, AS400, Epic
Areas of Expertise
Purchasing Manager | Workforce Planning & Scheduling | Client Retention Strategies | Budgeting | Senior Buyer | Performance Monitoring | Training Program Development | Resource Allocation | Conflict Resolution | SLA Compliance | Data Analytics | Cross-functional Collaboration | Team Leadership
Timeline
Customer Support Manager-Remote Contract
Sonova USA
03.2025 - 2026
Purchasing Services Manager-Remote
Illinois Tollway Highway Authority
04.2022 - 03.2025
Purchasing Manager
Union Leasing Inc.
11.2016 - 05.2022
Senior Buyer
Wheels Inc.
01.2013 - 03.2016
Certificate - Marketing
University of Phoenix
Bachelor of Science - Communication
University of Phoenix
Master of Business Administration -
University of Phoenix