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Pamela Lowe
Gilroy,CA
Summary
Dynamic and results-oriented professional with a robust background in managing operational needs and driving efficiency through strategic initiatives. Expertise in cultivating long-term relationships with stakeholders and suppliers, complemented by a proven track record in contract negotiation to secure optimal pricing and services. Skilled in leading finance and logistics teams to swiftly address discrepancies while fostering a collaborative team environment. Recognized for identifying opportunities to enhance cross-functional strategies and alignment, contributing to organizational success at industry forums and regulatory bodies. Core competencies include Strategic Sourcing, Contract Negotiations, Cost Savings, Vendor Relationship Management, Process Improvement, and Supply Chain Management.
Overview
1
1
Certification
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Vendor Management
Santa Clara Family Health Plan (SCFHP)
San Jose, CA
11.2022 - 12.2025
- Designed comprehensive strategy and roadmap to establish department objectives, integrating SCFHP's role within county's $3.5 billion program.
- Conducted research and successfully introduced SCFHP's initial contract management and risk management system, Venminder, to streamline processes.
- Delivered timely execution of contracts, enhancing department efficiency.
- Reduced contract processing time to an average of 2.5 days, improving operational workflows.
- Negotiated and managed 320 vendor contracts, fostering strong partnerships and optimizing service delivery.
- Generated departmental statistical reports and acted as the primary escalation point for vendor performance issues, ensuring compliance with regulations.
- Analyzed and modified department policies to align with current regulatory standards.
- Supported integration efforts during Valley Health Plan's acquisition of Santa Clara Family Health Plan, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
- Conducted assessments to verify compliance with DMHC, CMS, and DHCS regulations, safeguarding organizational practices.
- Initiated comprehensive analysis and outlined enterprise artificial intelligence (AI) roadmap to align with consulting firm (Five9) business recommendations.
Senior Strategic Sourcing Manager
Blue Shield of California
Oakland, CA
12.2016 - 05.2022
- Managed all contracting and negotiations for operations affiliated with cost savings of 4M, including management of the supporting enterprise e-Procurement software platform.
- Recovered 7M for the Office of the CEO.
- Enhanced work efficiency by supervising direct report staff of 5 to 9 people and a matrix team of 45 people.
- Led procurement integration for Promise Health Plan merger and Altais acquisition.
- Researched and initiated modernization of eProcurement software platform, improving operational risk management for Blues Shield of California, Promise Health Plan, and Altais.
- Sourced suppliers, managed vendor relationships and established supply chains to provide State of California with necessary materials for creating COVID-19 test kits for statewide distribution.
- Ensured compliance with DMHC, CMS, DHCS, regulatory requirements.
Director of Indirect Procurement
JAWBONE (Life Sciences Manufacturing)
San Francisco, CA
01.2014 - 01.2016
- Implemented cost-saving measures in indirect procurement to enhance financial efficiency and reduce excess spending by 2M.
- Engaged with 383 suppliers to maintain and strengthen business relationships, ensuring ongoing operational enhancements.
- Designed and executed eProcurement strategies to facilitate accurate buying decisions and transactions, reinforcing business controls across multiple regions.
- Engaged with essential stakeholders to enhance market presence and drive strategic growth initiatives.
- Enhanced data-driven decision-making by 50%, via implementing advanced analytics and reporting tools.
- Negotiated favorable contracts with vendors for reduced costs of 10% and improved service quality.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration, Sociology
San Jose State University
San Jose, CASkills
- Decision-making
- Strategic planning
- Relationship building
- Strategic Sourcing
- Contract Negotiations
- Cost Savings
- RFP RFI RFQ
- Mergers & Acquisitions
- Experience with Oracle applications
- Puridiom JAGGAER expertise
- Venminder expertise
- Zycus proficiency
- SAP Ariba expertise
- Procurement management with IBM
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) Sourcing
- Budget management
- Change management
- Staff development
- Issues resolution
- Legal and regulatory compliance
- Partnerships and alliances
- Contract management
- Logistics management
- Information technology management
- Problem-solving
- Multitasking and organization
- Team collaboration
- Stakeholder engagement
- Coaching and mentoring
- Risk management
- Process improvement
- Performance management
- Time management
- Team building
- Leadership development
- E-commerce strategy
- Capital spending
- Company guidelines
- Business administration
- Crisis management
Accomplishments
- Supervised team of 45 staff members.
- Documented and resolved contract management issues which led to automating a 25 years old manual process.
- Achieved overcoming negotiation impasses through effectively mapping key deal requirements vs. wants and not needs.
- Accomplished average contract turn-a-round time of 2.5 days by completing contract engagement request with accuracy and efficiency.
- Collaborated with team of 30 in the development of Zelis vendor contract and the implementing of Zelis payment system.
- Member of the State of CA, COVID-19 Procurement Task Force
Certification
- California COVID-19 Testing Task Force Certificate of Appreciation, California Department of Public Health
- Keynote Speaker: Launching eProcurement SaaS Systems, Sourcing Information Group (SIG)
- Six Sigma White Belt & Champion Certification, Motorola University
- Presenter: Best Practices for Launching eProcurement SaaS Systems, Institute of Supply Management (ISM)
- Special Guest, Procurement Leaders Forum
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Guest Campus Instructor for Cisco System: Cisco University
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Director of Vendor Management
Santa Clara Family Health Plan (SCFHP)
11.2022 - 12.2025
Senior Strategic Sourcing Manager
Blue Shield of California
12.2016 - 05.2022
Director of Indirect Procurement
JAWBONE (Life Sciences Manufacturing)
01.2014 - 01.2016
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration, Sociology
San Jose State University
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
SaaS Horizon Award Recipient: Zycus Procurement, Woman of the Year Community Advocacy Award: 100 Black Women, California Leadership Recognition: Blue Shield of California, Values & Mission Team Award Nomination: Blue Shield of California, Procurement Best Practice: Juran Institute