Rowanda Williams
Pickerington,OH
Summary
Procurement executive with 18 years of leadership in strategic sourcing and category management for global enterprises. Expertise in building and leading teams that drive cost efficiencies and align procurement strategies with business goals. Skilled in negotiation and strategic planning, achieving significant cost reductions and process improvements by leveraging global market trends.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
SR. MANAGER STRATEGIC SOURCING MARKETING
GAP, Inc.
Columbus, OH
01.2019 - 01.2021
- Managed approximately $400+M spend globally across 4 specialty retail brands (Athleta, Banana Republic, Gap & Old Navy) supporting cross-functionally the Marketing, Finance, and Legal teams.
- Led Marketing Strategic Sourcing team, achieving projected savings of $20M-28M.
- Negotiated media agency contract resulting in $1.3+M in savings across the Gap portfolio.
- Analyzed and identified strategic suppliers in marketing category, strengthening Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) initiatives.
- Led and Managed Marketing Procurement team daily marketing project assignments and provided guidance and oversight for the Marketing categories.
- Presented 'How to Execute on Continuous Improvement' to Marketing Customer Experience and Corporate Team, enhancing preparation for Category Strategy presentations.
SR. MANAGER PROCUREMENT MARKETING
Ascena Retail Group
Columbus, OH
01.2017 - 01.2019
- Managed and provided oversight to approximately $300+M spend across 7 brands (Ann Taylor, LOFT, Lou & Grey, Lane Bryant, Cacique, Catherines, and Justice) supporting Brand Services Procurement Marketing team.
- Oversaw Value Targeting Initiatives, projecting savings of $9M-11M.
- Managed and analyzed Strategic Sourcing engagement for E-Mail Professional Services, achieving $1.4M savings.
- Led, managed, and analyzed Strategic Sourcing initiative for E-commerce Image Re-touching, resulting in savings of $1M.
- Delivered $600K+ savings for Affiliate Marketing related Strategic Sourcing engagement.
- Partnered with finance, legal, and internal brand stakeholders to negotiate contracts, manage processes, and leverage supplier relationships, enhancing collective buying power and value through best-in-class sourcing practices.
CATEGORY MANAGER/PRINCIPLE STRATEGIC SOURCING ANALYST
American Electric Power
Columbus, OH
01.2013 - 01.2017
- Managed $200M+ spend and implemented the AEP Contract Labor Program across 11 states supporting the HR, Staff Augmentation Contract Labor, and Professional Services business units.
- Managed $40M staff augmentation vendor spend for contract labor across 11 states, ensuring alignment with organizational needs.
- Developed, led, and presented category strategy for Staff Augmentation Contract Labor, and Human Resources contracts.
- Implemented sourcing strategies and ensured contract compliance for Human Resources, Professional Services, and Contingent Labor categories, enhancing operational effectiveness.
- Presented sourcing strategy and project savings to CFO and CPO.
- Led personnel management for team of Contract Analysts, Strategic Sourcing professionals, and functional Analysts/Coordinators, fostering collaboration and efficiency.
- Functioned as the Product Owner and contributed to the design of the Fieldglass (Vendor Managed System SaaS).
- Managed Contract labor operations for a $17B utility providing electricity to over 5.3 million customers.
SOURCING MANAGER
Emerson Network Power, Liebert Services
Westerville, OH
01.2007 - 01.2013
- Managed $44M vendor spend with 40% nationwide travel for Quarterly Business Reviews, enhancing vendor relationships and performance.
- Developed and presented quarterly vendor pricing strategies and performance delivery reports.
- Established partnerships with vendors to support third-party services in HVAC, Professional Services, Generator, Power, and Battery, driving service quality and reliability.
- Served as advisor to the executive staff of Supply Chain and Logistics to promote strategic sourcing initiatives; performed cost analysis review for cost containment opportunities.
- Resolved vendor/subcontracting escalated issues; managed all vendor driven programs within Supply Chain.
PURCHASING AGENT
L Brands
Westerville, OH
01.2000 - 01.2007
- Initiated, calculated and managed $1M-$3M material purchases based on architectural plans for 25-30 retail locations per quarter.
- Reconciled $500K-$1M per project in purchase orders by resolving construction and merchandising challenges during project closeouts with finance department.
- Developed and presented RFI/RFP/RFQ to Purchasing Managers and Directors, streamlining vendor selection process.
- Facilitated cross functional teams to coordinate store construction and store set purchases while tracking vendor performance.
- Prepared and presented budget/contract analysis for Victoria's Secret and Bath and Body Stores.
- Facilitated training and onboarding for new purchasing agents to enhance team competency and efficiency.
- Purchased store design and construction materials for a $10.7B global retailer with 5 brands providing fashion forward options in lingerie, personal beauty, apparel and accessory products.
DIRECTOR OF GLOBAL PROCUREMENT
Indeed, Inc.
Austin, TX
01.2021 - 2025
- Lead 25+ associate global Procurement operations supporting ~$800M+ in marketing spend across EMEA, US, and APAC regions.
- Managed ~$800M in marketing category spend, encompassing creative, production, digital media, and MarTech.
- Led, mentored, and advised a 12+ member global procurement team for cost and quality.
- Managed and responsible for the 13+ Accounts Payable and Procurement Legal teams globally.
- Developed and maintained executive-level relationships across Legal, Finance, Marketing, and AP to align procurement strategy and ensure compliance.
- Oversaw development of category strategies, policies, playbooks, and standard operating procedures (SOP) to mitigate risk.
- A leading global employment platform focused on connecting job seekers with employers.
- Performed risk assessments and forecasts on potential contracts and business decisions.
- Maintained information database related to products and service availability, supplier capabilities.
- Formulated and implemented annual purchasing plans and contracts.
- Led initiative for new purchasing protocol proposal and implementation.
Education
BA - Business Communications
The Ohio State University
Columbus, OhioMBA - Business Administration
Franklin University
Columbus, OhioLean Six Sigma Green Belt Certified -
Mooresteam University
Columbus, OhioThe Strategic Sourcing Process -
The MPOWER GROUP
Columbus, OHProfessional Scrum Foundations Training -
Cardinal Solutions
Columbus, OHProcurement Academy Training - Ongoing Procurement Competence Development
Pataskala, OHSkills
- Procurement strategy
- Contract negotiation
- Supplier relationship management
- Category strategy creation and management
- Supplier evaluation
- Spend analysis
- Risk management
- Market research
- Team leadership
Affiliations
Campaign Organizer, United Way of Central Ohio
Timeline
DIRECTOR OF GLOBAL PROCUREMENT
Indeed, Inc.
01.2021 - 2025
SR. MANAGER STRATEGIC SOURCING MARKETING
GAP, Inc.
01.2019 - 01.2021
SR. MANAGER PROCUREMENT MARKETING
Ascena Retail Group
01.2017 - 01.2019
CATEGORY MANAGER/PRINCIPLE STRATEGIC SOURCING ANALYST
American Electric Power
01.2013 - 01.2017
SOURCING MANAGER
Emerson Network Power, Liebert Services
01.2007 - 01.2013
PURCHASING AGENT
L Brands
01.2000 - 01.2007
BA - Business Communications
The Ohio State University
MBA - Business Administration
Franklin University
Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certified -
Mooresteam University
The Strategic Sourcing Process -
The MPOWER GROUP
Professional Scrum Foundations Training -
Cardinal Solutions