Lauren Meir
San Jose,CA
Summary
Dynamic Procurement leader with a proven track record across multiple industries, transforming teams into strategic powerhouses. Experienced in business transformation, operational efficiency, and leading business turnaround from loss to profit. Known for leveraging supplier performance management and persuasive negotiations, achieving significant cost savings, and operational efficiencies. Skilled in fostering effective working relationships and driving international procurement initiatives, delivering long-term value across diverse markets.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Global Head of Procurement
Meta
Menlo Park, CA
03.2023 - Current
- Global responsibility for food, consumables, and front and back of house items required to run a five-day, three-meal program.
- Shifted the team from transactional purchasing to a strategic procurement function within 12 months.
- Manage a global team of procurement managers, focused on driving procurement excellence, and long-term value creation.
- Focused on SKU and supplier reduction, leading to lower costs in inventory and labor.
- Developed structured evaluations for in-house production versus external sourcing, using Make vs. Buy methodology resulting in a reduction of labor spend globally.
- Create collaboration and proactive stakeholder management, fostering communication and trust to improve processes, and drive operational efficiency.
- Negotiate top-to-top supplier relationships, implement cost-saving initiatives, and optimize category spend.
- Redefined small wares and single-use item usage, introduced a waste management methodology, and optimized CO2 emissions tracking across markets.
- Prioritized Zero-Based Budgeting (ZBB), and drove SKU rationalization across the North American market.
- Overhauled the food safety program to mitigate risk, and updated SOPs for seamless stakeholder alignment.
Head Of Procurement
Kanes Foods Ltd
Evesham, United Kingdom
02.2020 - 04.2022
- Overall responsibility for all site purchases, including food, packaging, and consumables. Totaling £42 million.
- Reported to the site MD and owner as a board member.
- Facilitated business transformation, changing from loss to profit in 12 months.
- Coordinated site operational changes, including the closure of two manufacturing facilities.
- Controlled site purchasing budgets and P&L input.
- Introduced and implemented a procurement strategy for the business, ensuring that the correct suppliers and products were purchased, managed, and maintained.
- Grew and stabilized the global supply base.
- Revolutionized and drove supplier relations and management processes.
- Managed the procurement team of buyers, supply chain analysts, replenishment team, and administrators.
- Collaborated cross-functionally with key stakeholders to ensure business visions and goals were met and reviewed.
- Facilitated supplier performance evaluations based on KPIs to maximize benefits in terms of delivery, price, and quality.
- Executed negotiated contractual documents and binding contracts.
- Analyzed supplier performance in relation to quality, cost, and delivery.
- I interviewed and hired staff, and oversaw staff training.
- Attended trade shows and traveled extensively to ensure suppliers maintain a diverse supply chain.
Purchasing Manager
Kanes Foods Ltd
Evesham, United Kingdom
07.2017 - 02.2020
- Spearheaded best practice meeting for Senior Management Team including all key stakeholders
- Pushed continuous improvement process to assist business turn around projects to enable the business to move forward
- Provided appropriate expertise and to be proactive and innovative in maintaining supplier base whilst reviewing technical and quality requirements
- Evaluated current suppliers and sourced out new vendors for tender opportunities
- Resolved critical inventory discrepancies by performing research and following up
Buyer
Aldi UK Ltd
Atherstone, United Kingdom
09.2011 - 07.2017
- Responsible for various categories predominantly Wine £200m spend, Sparkling Wine £105m spend and Chocolate £103m spend
- Identified market gaps through range reviews and developed new products with new and existing suppliers
- Ensured stakeholder buy in of current and proposed category ranges
- Working to tight budget expectations
- Identified and collaborated with key new suppliers to build brand reputation of both own label and supplier brand
- Managed supplier performance to ensure quality and supply KPI's
- Monitored and analyzed sales records, trends and economic conditions to anticipate consumer buying patterns, company sales and needed inventory
- Determined which products to be advertised, appropriate advertising medium, and ad timing
- Monitored competitors' sales activities by following advertisements in newspapers and other media
- Monitored consumer preferences and environmental trends to determine best way to introduce new green products
Key Account Manager
Smith & Nephew Orthopaedics
Warwick, United Kingdom
05.2007 - 09.2011
- Compiled reports on account progress, goals, and forecasts for account teams and stakeholders.
- Communicated and collaborated with internal teams to meet key client needs.
- Developed and fostered partnerships with senior stakeholders to drive category growth and create mutual value for customers and the company.
- Applied a customer-centric approach to understand customer needs and concerns, and develop creative solutions.
- Trained new employees on company policies and strong sales techniques.
- Updated and expanded client databases within the assigned territory.
- Developed strong relationships with clients to grow business networks.
- Attended industry events and conferences to attract potential customers and increase brand awareness.
Education
High School Diploma -
Kenilworth School
Kenilworth, United Kingdom07.2003
Skills
- Critical Thinking
- Customer Preferences
- International Procurement
- Procurement Contracts
- Supplier Performance Management
- Effective Working Relationships
- Supplier Selection
- Cost Assessment
- Persuasive Negotiations
- Team Goals
- Project Deadlines
- Strategic Goals
- Employee Motivation
- Procurement Proposals
- Complex Problem-Solving
- Best Practices and Tools
Certification
- NVQ Level 2 Business & Administration
- WSET Level 2- Wine & Spirits- Pass with Distinction
- The GAP Partnership- Negotiation Training
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Global Head of Procurement
Meta
03.2023 - Current
Head Of Procurement
Kanes Foods Ltd
02.2020 - 04.2022
Purchasing Manager
Kanes Foods Ltd
07.2017 - 02.2020
Buyer
Aldi UK Ltd
09.2011 - 07.2017
Key Account Manager
Smith & Nephew Orthopaedics
05.2007 - 09.2011
High School Diploma -
Kenilworth School
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