Patty Mendez
Miami,FL
Summary
Experienced Procurement Leader specializing in IT and Indirect Sourcing with a proven track record in optimizing spend and developing cost-saving solutions. Skilled in category management and strategic negotiations with a focus on aligning procurement strategies with business goals. Effective communicator capable of leading cross-functional teams to drive organizational efficiencies and enhance vendor relationships.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
SENIOR DIRECTOR - INDIRECT PROCUREMENT
World Kinect Corporation
Miami, Florida
12.2023 - Current
- Lead global sourcing and procurement activities for indirect categories, emphasizing IT, professional services, and office services
- Collaborate with executive leadership to establish long-term procurement objectives, enhancing organizational efficiency
- Define, track, and communicate key sourcing performance metrics
- Develop enterprise-wide strategies to drive cost savings and enhance vendor management practices
- Track organizational performance data to uncover potential improvements in processes
- Partner with Finance team on annual budgeting processes, and monitor fiscal adherence throughout the year
- Ensure procurement initiatives deliver against enterprise-wide financial and strategic goals
- Review and structure high-value, complex contracts to align with strategic objectives
- Create policies and procedures to improve operational efficiencies within the organization
- Spearhead initiatives to optimize global sourcing strategies, fostering improved vendor partnerships, and reduced costs.
- Lead IT procurement requirements for acquisitions, ensuring seamless integration, and strategic alignment
- Conduct multiple complex RFP's annually and provide valuable input and guidance to relevant stakeholders
- Successfully support the negotiation and implementation of various outsourcing initiatives, driving significant cost savings and efficiencies
Director - Indirect Procurement
World Kinect Corporation
Miami, Florida
09.2019 - 12.2023
- Developed and implemented comprehensive strategies to improve operational processes and organizational efficiency
- Identified opportunities for process optimization through data analysis
- Conducted regular meetings with department heads to review progress on strategic initiatives
- Lead spend optimization efforts through strategic sourcing and contract negotiation, rationalization and efficiency of spend, elimination of wasted expenses, and improved vendor management
- Provide strategic direction to buyers and analysts for development
- Led and executed the IT external partner strategy, resulting in $5M savings and improved vendor performance and SLAs
- Renegotiated major SaaS enterprise agreements, resulting in a 15% reduction to the software budget
- Initiated and led an RFP for a Professional Services contract, driving $900K in hard dollar savings, with an additional $500K in value-added services
- Renegotiated the T&E expense management SaaS agreement mid-contract to reduce fees, optimize spend, and services, resulting in a 45% annual savings to the budget
- Negotiated courier contracts and implemented global shipping strategy resulting in a 25% reduction in shipping spend
Senior Category Manager - IT Procurement
World Kinect Corporation
Miami, Florida
04.2018 - 09.2019
- Managed the sourcing and negotiation of all major IT contracts
- Developed, presented, and managed the sourcing strategy for all IT categories
- Implemented process to manage renewals and renewals forecast
- Regularly met with IT leadership to ensure satisfaction with products and services, and to identify opportunities for improved efficiencies
- Developed and maintained mutually beneficial, strategic relationships with key vendors
- Coordinated regular check points with vendors and stakeholders to ensure vendor compliance with SLA's, project milestones, and contract obligations
- Negotiated new and existing agreements or statements of work of the greatest complexity, including requests for information or requests for proposal
- Successfully negotiated and executed enterprise Agreement with top Cloud compute vendor, inclusive of combined on demand and reserved price discounts for optimal contract terms
- Negotiated an early renewal of major CRM contract, resulting in $1M in year hard savings and $3M total contract savings
- Negotiated a $900K reduction of major ERP license and software support spend
Procurement Manager, IT
Royal Caribbean International
Miami, Florida
03.2017 - 04.2018
- Managed IT Software, Infrastructure, and Services categories
- Cultivated strategic relationships with vendors, ensuring continuous alignment with organizational goals and strategy
- Served as a key member of the Vendor Management Organization Governance Team
- Monitored vendor performance to ensure compliance with contractual obligations and to determine need for change
- Worked collaboratively with various departments on multiple projects and contract negotiations
- Managed and mentored a team of Senior Buyers and Commodity Managers
- Lead vendor QBR's to build strategic alignment and identify opportunities for cost savings and improved service
- Spearheaded support reduction strategy which resulted in 40% savings to key infrastructure and casino operational expense
- Renegotiated high value infrastructure contract, resulting in $15MM savings over three years
Commodity Manager, IT and Onboard Revenue
Royal Caribbean International
Miami, Florida
07.2014 - 03.2017
- Top achieving Commodity Manager for department, consistently exceeding all KPI's and contributing highest dollar savings value
- Executed global sourcing strategies, generating significant cost savings, and reduced overall lead time
- Developed strategic relationships with key vendors and leveraged when necessary
- Led regular vendor QBR's to review scorecards and discuss performance against KPI's
- Regularly prepared and presented commodity strategy and goals to executives and internal customers
- Organized and prioritized multiple high visibility projects
Senior Buyer - Onboard Revenue
Royal Caribbean International
Miami, Florida
09.2012 - 07.2014
- Negotiated contracts and bid proposals, securing lowest total cost while ensuring quality and delivery requirements
- Strategically sourced, evaluated, and selected vendors globally
- Worked closely with various departments, ensuring purchasing policies and best practices were followed
- Consistently delivered results within constraints of delivery deadlines, budget limitations, and scope objectives
- Created and maintained various reports, such as Spend Analysis, Project Status, and Savings Reports, and presented to Management regularly
Buyer
Royal Caribbean International
Miami, Florida
11.2005 - 09.2012
- Received and reviewed product and service requisitions, solicited bid proposals, and prepared purchase orders for areas of Technical Procurement and Onboard Revenue
- Negotiated pricing, terms, freight, and additional variables with vendors to secure best package options
- Assisted Commodity Manager with analyzing, negotiating, and implementing contracts
- Managed delivery discrepancy reports and resolved all issue
- Represented Supply Chain in weekly meetings with Operations
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Business Administration And Management
Florida International University
Miami, FLSkills
- Strategic sourcing
- Collaborative leadership
- Contract negotiation
- Vendor management
- Business relationship building
- Data analysis
- Process optimization
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Stakeholder engagement
- Spend optimization
- Cost reduction strategies
- Technology procurement
Certification
Six Sigma Green Belt Certified (SSGBC) - Focus on process optimization and efficiency improvement
Timeline
SENIOR DIRECTOR - INDIRECT PROCUREMENT
World Kinect Corporation
12.2023 - Current
Director - Indirect Procurement
World Kinect Corporation
09.2019 - 12.2023
Senior Category Manager - IT Procurement
World Kinect Corporation
04.2018 - 09.2019
Procurement Manager, IT
Royal Caribbean International
03.2017 - 04.2018
Commodity Manager, IT and Onboard Revenue
Royal Caribbean International
07.2014 - 03.2017
Senior Buyer - Onboard Revenue
Royal Caribbean International
09.2012 - 07.2014
Buyer
Royal Caribbean International
11.2005 - 09.2012
Bachelor of Arts - Business Administration And Management
Florida International University