Nancy Elwell McFarland
Oklahoma State Department of Education
Guthrie
1
Certification
20
years of professional experience
Forward-thinking Senior Director of Operations and Certified Procurement Officer (CPO II) with 25+ years of experience leading statewide operational improvements, procurement modernization, and team optimization. Proven ability to increase productivity by 25% and reduce staffing needs by 33% through streamlined workflows, technology adoption, and strategic leadership. Adept at building collaborative teams and elevating operational performance across public sector organizations.
Work History
Director of Operations
1 Year 4 Months- Throughout my career, I have consistently delivered operational excellence and led transformative initiatives in procurement, policy development, and team leadership. My extensive background spans both strategic and hands-on management roles, enabling me to drive impactful results across diverse public sector environments. I am dedicated to fostering innovation, optimizing processes, and supporting organizational growth through collaborative problem-solving and results-oriented strategies.
Procurement Manager
1 Year- Developed procurement policies that strictly adhered to the requirements of the Central Purchasing Act. These policies were designed to ensure compliance with state regulations, promote transparency, and maintain accountability throughout the procurement process. By following established legal guidelines, the organization was able to uphold best practices in procurement and reinforce consistent standards across all purchasing activities.
- Optimized consensus bidding and streamlined procurement workflows.
- Collaborated with finance teams for budget forecasting accuracy.
- Managed mailroom operations and electronic equipment acquisitions.
- Led agency specific operational strategies focused on maximizing efficiency and ensuring compliance with the statutes and other mandates.
- Reduced ratifications by 15% - offering monthly training sessions to all administrative staff that enter requisitions for the agency.
Shift Supervisor/Assistant Store Manager
7 Years 4 Months- Oversaw daily store operations, ensuring that service standards were consistently maintained and the store environment met company expectations.
- Handled key operational tasks, including managing tills, pricing products accurately, monitoring inventory levels, and implementing effective loss prevention strategies.
- Generated shift reports as the evening and weekend manager to provide management with up-to-date information on store performance and operations.
- Addressed customer issues promptly and worked to foster positive relationships with shoppers, helping to ensure a welcoming and professional store atmosphere.
- Trained staff members and promoted ongoing team development, supporting the growth and effectiveness of store personnel.
- Created and adjusted employee schedules as needed to ensure adequate coverage and efficient store operations.
- Entered, verified timesheet and approved for payroll, assisted in employee quarterly performance reviews.
- Confirmed and reviewed deposits for Loomis.
Procurement Specialist II
1 Year 5 Months- Identified cost-efficient suppliers by leveraging statewide contracts, enabling agencies to benefit from reduced costs and streamlined purchasing.
- Processed change orders and expedited large purchase orders that exceeded agency-specific thresholds, ensuring timely acquisition of goods and services.
- Facilitated Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for designated state agencies, supporting effective and transparent procurement processes.
- Served as the Central Purchasing procurement concierge for the Oklahoma Broadband agency, providing specialized guidance and support.
- Supported agency onboarding into the statewide e-procurement system, assisting with integration and adoption of new procurement technologies.
- Facilitated competitive bidding processes and maintained consistent communication with agencies, fostering collaboration and transparency throughout procurement activities.
- Developed and shared some brownbag training to help agencies understand processes.
Contract & Acquisitions Agent III
15 Years 2 Months- Negotiated contracts, resulting in an 80% reduction in agency markup. This achievement significantly lowered costs for the agency and optimized the value of its procurement activities.
- Oversaw Request for Proposal (RFP) and Request for Information (RFI) procurement processes, ensuring transparency and compliance throughout the acquisition cycle.
- Delivered prompt and high-quality customer service to internal and external stakeholders, maintaining strong relationships and supporting agency needs efficiently.
- Trained new agents to enhance department efficiency, equipping team members with the necessary skills to support procurement and contract operations.
- Managed contract renewals and annual service negotiations, securing continued services and favorable terms for the agency.
- Facilitated Prebid meetings with suppliers, promoting clear communication and understanding of requirements prior to bidding.
Education
Associate of Arts - General Studies
Associate of Arts - Business Administration
High School Diploma
Skills
E-Procurement Modernization
Streamlining Operations
Enhancing Team Collaboration
Leadership and Coaching Initiatives
Policy Formulation and Development
Budget Management and Forecasting
Procurement Card Administration
Fleet and Travel Coordination
PeopleSoft - CORE
Certification
- Nationally Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB) by UPPCC - May 2013
- Certified Procurement Officer (CPO II) State of Oklahoma Central Purchasing, 2005
Timeline
Director of Operations
Oklahoma State Department of Education
04.2025 - CurrentRead More
Procurement Manager
Oklahoma State Department of Education
04.2024 - 04.2025Read More
Procurement Specialist II
Office of Management & Enterprise Services
10.2021 - 03.2023Read More
Shift Supervisor/Assistant Store Manager
CVS Pharmacy
10.2016 - 02.2024Read More
Contract & Acquisitions Agent III
Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation
07.2006 - 09.2021Read More
American School of Correspondence
High School Diploma
Read More
De Marge College
Associate of Arts from Business Administration
Read More
Oklahoma City Community College
Associate of Arts from General Studies
Read More