Noula A. Ducato
Pleasant Prairie
Summary
Secure a challenging position using 22+ years’ Procurement experience to contribute to a successful team.
Results-driven individual with a solid track record in delivering quality work. Known for excellent communication and teamwork abilities, with a commitment to achieving company goals and delivering exceptional service. Passionate about continuous learning and professional development.
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
4
4
years of post-secondary education
Work History
PROCURMENT, SENIOR CONTRACT MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST
AbbVie, Inc.
North Chicago
03.2025 - Current
- Categories: ADVERTISING & COMMUNICATION, including CREATIVE AGENCIES, MEDIA, COMMERCIAL PRINT & PROMOTIONAL ITEMS.
- Negotiated contracts to secure favorable terms and conditions for purchases.
- Sourced and evaluated suppliers to ensure cost-effective procurement strategies.
PROCUREMENT SHARED SERVICES (PSS)
AbbVie, Inc.
Lake County
09.2022 - Current
- Contracting and/or sourcing for multiple functional areas.
- Manage projects and transactions in support of Category Teams by enforcing/managing the overall strategy and deploying process efficiencies.
- Understand the Organization’s approved buying channels and contracting policy for goods and services and help guide requestors to the appropriate buying channel Supplier Management Team.
- Support and collect due diligence information needed for evaluating and approving new suppliers, in line with the Preferred Supplier Networks.
- Procurement projects and supplier management (contract reviews, bid summary justifications, vendor record updates, approving Purchase Orders, data analysis).
- Works with high ethical standards.
- Lead in the development, deployment and execution of process efficiency related projects that serve to improve customer experience within the Procure-to-Pay process.
- Subject matter expert over Procurement processes & across multiple categories within the Procurement Team.
- Develop & lead stakeholder educational forums around Procurement initiatives and processes.
- Team strategy by enforcing the supplier preferred network, understanding Category Management Team initiatives/priorities, having subject matter expertise, and educating stakeholders of the same.
- Develop and negotiate confidentiality agreements, standalone contracts and Statements of Work and any other agreement in alignment with agreed category strategies, at a financial approved and authorized for the position.
- Manage standard Procure-to-Pay intake contract requests within established Service Level metrics.
- Key Stakeholders: External Vendors, Category Management Teams, functional business partners (e.g., finance, business owners, other support functions), and leaders within the Procurement team.
PROCUREMENT, SENIOR CUSTOMER EXCELLENCE SPECIALIST
AbbVie, Inc.
North Chicago
09.2022 - 02.2025
- Categories: ADVERTISING & COMMUNICATION, including CREATIVE AGENCIES, MEDIA, COMMERCIAL PRINT & PROMOTIONAL ITEMS, LIBRARY SERVICES, OFFICE SUPPLIES.
- HIGHLIGHT 2021-2022: Decideware/SNAPP API Enhancement.
- Cross functional team including Advertising & Communications Creative & Media Category Teams, Agency Relations; Procurement, BTS & Supplier.
- Streamlined Customer Excellence manual process by 30%.
PURCHASING, SENIOR CUSTOMER EXCELLENCE SPECIALIST
AbbVie, Inc.
Mettawa
09.2019 - 08.2022
- Categories: ADVERTISING & COMMUNICATION, including CREATIVE AGENCIES, MEDIA, COMMERCIAL PRINT & PROMOTIONAL ITEMS. LIBRARY SERVICES, OFFICE SUPPLIES.
- HIGHLIGHT 2022-2024: Decideware/Agency Mania Transformation.
- Cross functional team including Advertising & Communications Creative & Media Category Teams, Agency Relations; Media Strategy & Planning Team, Marketing Procurement, BTS & Supplier.
- 80% cross functional optimization including: SOW negotiation/creation review.
- Streamlined PO creation process.
- Suppler/Agency Training use of system.
- Marketing/Stakeholder Training use of system.
COMMERCIAL PURCHASING & SUPPLIER MANAGEMENT (PSM)
AbbVie, Inc.
Lake County
01.2005 - 08.2022
- Responsible for providing high level of customer satisfaction in contract review with applicable AbbVie policies, procedures & knowledge of guidelines to ensure compliance.
- Identify, develop & implement innovative standardized buying practices to support Preferred Supplier Network Sourcing Strategies.
- Participate in cross-functional, cross-divisional teams to develop action plans that ensure a supplier base with the best value for quality, delivery, pricing, and service.
- Seek & set up business relationships with suppliers.
- Proactive management of category & suppliers by meeting regularly with stakeholders to ensure customer support satisfaction.
- Analyze supplier performance using established rating systems (metrics/goals).
- Contributing cost savings & value-added activities to support customer expectations.
- Expert in the use of procurement tools including but not limited to: SAP, Ariba, Apttus, SNAPP, Decideware & Contract management.
- Mentoring/training junior purchasing professionals.
- Perform in a multi-task environment without supervision.
- Sourcing, bidding, negotiating, contracting, approval of SAP/SRM requisitions in purchasing services within the categories of spend as detailed in all the positions within the timeline below (2005 to present):
PURCHASING, SENIOR CUSTOMER EXCELLENCE SPECIALIST
AbbVie, Inc.
Mettawa
09.2019 - 08.2021
- Categories: ADVERTISING & COMMUNICATION, including CREATIVE AGENCIES, MEDIA, COMMERCIAL PRINT & PROMOTIONAL ITEMS. LIBRARY SERVICES, OFFICE SUPPLIES.
PURCHASING, SENIOR CATEGORY SPECIALIST
AbbVie, Inc.
Mettawa
08.2016 - 08.2019
- Categories: COMMERCIAL PRINT, FOREIGN TRANSLATIONS, PROMOTIONAL ITEMS, LIBRARY SERVICES, OFFICE SUPPLIES, OFFICE SERVICES, FOOD SERVICES.
PURCHASING, SENIOR CATEGORY SPECIALIST
AbbVie, Inc.
Mettawa
05.2014 - 07.2016
- Category: MEETINGS & EVENTS.
- Collaborate with internal stakeholders, AbbVie Risk Management & Legal negotiating Agreements for Meeting & Events Venues.
SENIOR PURCHASING SPECIALIST, PPD (PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS DIVISION) DELEGATED PURCHASING
Abbott/AbbVie, Inc.
North Chicago
02.2010 - 05.2014
- Categories: COMMERCIAL PRINT, FOREIGN TRANSLATIONS, PROMOTIONAL ITEMS.
- Primary Purchasing Agent for Specialty Print including Promotional Package Inserts (PIs), Foreign Translation Services, Specialty Custom Promotional Kits, Promotional Items & PDR (Physician's Desk Reference).
- HIGHLIGHT: “Annual PO Process Pilot" - Spearheaded yearlong pilot by coordinating with Humira Indication Teams including Finance, Marketing, Project Managers, Business Systems & Vendors.
- Pilot resulted in workflow changes implemented across brands, bringing benefits of time savings, process efficiencies, reduction of headcount & speed to market.
- Implementation of Annual PO process vs project-based POs minimized purchase order volume.
- This led to aligning with Vendors to reduce invoice volume submitted to AP with monthly summarized invoicing vs invoicing project-by-project.
- AWARD RECEIVED: 2014 - AbbVie Excellence Award - Annual PO Pilot
PURCHASING SPECIALIST, PPD (PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS DIVISION) DELEGATED PURCHASING TEAM
Abbott
North Chicago
01.2005 - 02.2010
- Categories: COMMERCIAL PRINT, FOREIGN TRANSLATIONS.
- HIGHLIGHT: Led "PPD Marketing Material Translation Process Improvement,” Marketing requested process for faster, correct Foreign Translations of Promotional Print Materials.
- The Med/Reg/Label Control Foreign Translation Review Process was averaging 4-6 months.
- A cross functional Team was developed consisting of Marketing, Project Managers, Regulatory, Medical, Label Control & Purchasing.
- RFI conducted to select top performing suppliers with low level error rates.
- Implemented Certification process with aligned Policies.
- RFI resulted in workflows reducing approval time to 6 weeks.
- The “Commercial Foreign Translation Preferred Supplier Network” (PSN) was set up.
- Suppliers selected were assigned to brands resulting in even faster Foreign Translations review of approved phrases using “Translation Memory”.
- This process was leveraged to allow phrases to be approved only once per brand.
- The improved process resulted in efficiencies & speed to market for foreign translated materials.
- AWARDS RECEIVED:
- 2010 - PPD President's Citation "PPD Marketing Foreign Translation Improvement"
- 2010 - Immunology Peacock Award “Collaboration - Speed & Innovation”
- 2010 - MSO Value Award "Contributions Humira Spanish Blitz Foreign Translation Project"
- 2009 - MSO Values Award "Operational Excellence - Custom Paper Supply Project”
- 2008 - MSO Values Award “Commercial Excellence - Simcor Launch"
- 2007 - President's Award “Single Supplier Program Print Project"
APPROVAL COORDINATOR: ADVERTISING & PRODUCTION, PPD (PROMOTIONAL PRODUCTS DIVISION)
Abbott
North Chicago
03.2004 - 01.2005
- Managed updating the Physician’s Desk Reference (PDR): routed projects for Abbott Product Package Inserts (PI) & tracked review through Label Control, Medical/Regulatory for approval.
- Maintained records & archives of all Promotional Marketing Materials & distribution to Medical & Regulatory for FDA submission.
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT: LICENSING & NEW BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, GPRD (GLOBAL PHARMACEUTICAL R&D)
Abbott
North Chicago
07.2001 - 03.2004
- Supported Divisional Vice President & Directors in coordination of high-level presentations, meetings, travel, budget & expense reports.
- Supported Domestic & International Pharmaceutical Licensing & New Business Development Teams, GPRD Pharmaceutical Licensing & New Business Development Group.
ADMINISTRATION COORDINATOR IT BUSINESS SERVICES, PURCHASING
Snap-On
Kenosha
10.1999 - 07.2001
- Coordinated with I/T Senior Managers & Directors, internal stakeholders & vendors.
- Budget coordination, generation & distribution of monthly reports to Directors.
- Created spreadsheets for tracking company-wide inventory of computer hardware & software.
- Purchased computer hardware, software & peripherals for internal clients.
- Contract review, lease generation, asset management, invoice approval, training new team members.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR, NATIONAL ACCOUNTS
W.W. Grainger, Inc.
Mettawa
06.1998 - 10.1999
- Prepared sales reporting & presentations for National Account Managers, Directors & vendors.
- Liaison to customers & field sales force.
- Supported fifteen National Account Managers & Directors Nationwide.
- Provided custom detailed sales reports on a weekly, monthly & quarterly basis capturing customer sales/purchasing information for National Account Managers & suppliers.
- Created presentations for vendor & department meetings.
- Involved with interviewing, hiring & training new team members.
ENGINEERING AIDE, ENGINEERING SERVICES
Underwriters Laboratories (UL)
Northbrook
10.1996 - 06.1998
- Provided follow-up with internal and external clients about UL Standard test results and the level of UL Standards of compliance.
- Worked with Project Engineers in providing technical report writing for maintenance of product’s Legal records.
- Participated in UL testing & record keeping of UL Standards results.
- Informed clients of UL Standard testing.
- Requested inspection of manufacturing facilities in keeping current with UL Standards.
- Provided clients with authorization to apply UL markings.
- Billing & creation of new accounts.
MANAGER
Promise Land Restaurant
Paddock Lake
06.1991 - 06.1998
- Initiated quality of food service.
- Supervising (hiring, training, scheduling, payroll); accounts payable/receivable & deposits.
- Menu planning, inventory/purchasing.
- Advertising & coordinating remodeling projects.
Education
BACHELOR’S DEGREE - BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, SPANISH
Carthage College
Kenosha, WI 09.1987 - 05.1991
Skills
- Compliance
- Detail oriented
- Collaborative cross functional relationships
- Mentoring
- Excellent customer support
- Contract negotiation
- Supplier management
- Procurement strategy
- Data analysis
- Process efficiency
- Customer relationship management
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Project management
- Stakeholder engagement
- Effective communication
- Problem solving
- Attention to detail
- Team building
- Training development
- Ethical judgment
- Team leadership
- Process improvement
- Cost reduction strategies
- Analytical skills
- Written communication
- Reliability
- Business ethics
- Analytical thinking
- Goal setting
- Idea development and brainstorming
- Vendor management
- Continuous improvement
- Strategic planning
- Problem-solving aptitude
- Professionalism
- Operational efficiency
- Problem-solving
- Process analysis
- Business intelligence
- Performance metrics
- Business continuity planning
- Multitasking Abilities
- Stakeholder management
- Improvement plans
- Project planning
- Team collaboration
- Professional demeanor
- Business strategy development
- Time management
- Teamwork
- Multitasking capacity
- Conflict resolution
- Project restructuring
- Organizational skills
- Self motivation
- Cross-functional team leadership
- Customer relations
References
Available upon request
Timeline
PROCURMENT, SENIOR CONTRACT MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST
AbbVie, Inc.
03.2025 - Current
PROCUREMENT SHARED SERVICES (PSS)
AbbVie, Inc.
09.2022 - Current
PROCUREMENT, SENIOR CUSTOMER EXCELLENCE SPECIALIST
AbbVie, Inc.
09.2022 - 02.2025
PURCHASING, SENIOR CUSTOMER EXCELLENCE SPECIALIST
AbbVie, Inc.
09.2019 - 08.2022
PURCHASING, SENIOR CUSTOMER EXCELLENCE SPECIALIST
AbbVie, Inc.
09.2019 - 08.2021
PURCHASING, SENIOR CATEGORY SPECIALIST
AbbVie, Inc.
08.2016 - 08.2019
PURCHASING, SENIOR CATEGORY SPECIALIST
AbbVie, Inc.
05.2014 - 07.2016
SENIOR PURCHASING SPECIALIST, PPD (PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS DIVISION) DELEGATED PURCHASING
Abbott/AbbVie, Inc.
02.2010 - 05.2014
COMMERCIAL PURCHASING & SUPPLIER MANAGEMENT (PSM)
AbbVie, Inc.
01.2005 - 08.2022
PURCHASING SPECIALIST, PPD (PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS DIVISION) DELEGATED PURCHASING TEAM
Abbott
01.2005 - 02.2010
APPROVAL COORDINATOR: ADVERTISING & PRODUCTION, PPD (PROMOTIONAL PRODUCTS DIVISION)
Abbott
03.2004 - 01.2005
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT: LICENSING & NEW BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, GPRD (GLOBAL PHARMACEUTICAL R&D)
Abbott
07.2001 - 03.2004
ADMINISTRATION COORDINATOR IT BUSINESS SERVICES, PURCHASING
Snap-On
10.1999 - 07.2001
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR, NATIONAL ACCOUNTS
W.W. Grainger, Inc.
06.1998 - 10.1999
ENGINEERING AIDE, ENGINEERING SERVICES
Underwriters Laboratories (UL)
10.1996 - 06.1998
MANAGER
Promise Land Restaurant
06.1991 - 06.1998
BACHELOR’S DEGREE - BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, SPANISH
Carthage College
09.1987 - 05.1991