Vonda Smith
Contracts and Licensing Professional
Jacksonville,FL
Summary
Accomplished senior technology and purchasing manager with history of overseeing multi-million dollar licensing, sales, procurement negotiations and operations. A strategic planner offering demonstrated track record and core strengths in software, SaaS, hardware sales, licensing, entertainment content licensing and key relationship management as well as persuasive contract negotiation skills.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Global Commodity Manager, Telco
Dell Technologies
Jacksonville, FL
10.2021 - Current
- Ensured that all contracts are fulfilled according to agreed-upon timelines and specifications.
- Collaborated closely with internal stakeholders to identify material requirements and improve processes.
- Identified, evaluated, and negotiated with potential suppliers for a wide range of commodities.
- Created and maintained strong relationships with key suppliers to ensure long-term success.
- Coordinated efforts between production planning, engineering, finance, legal, logistics. to meet organizational needs.
- Monitored industry developments in order to anticipate changes in prices or availability of commodities.
- Managed the entire procurement process from initial identification through delivery of goods and services.
- Prepared reports detailing current market conditions, price fluctuations, supplier capabilities.
- Discussed ideas and strategies to improve operational efficiency, adding value and aiding business performance for continuous improvement.
- Monitored market trends, competitor strategies and market suppliers to evaluate opportunities to reduce costs.
- Negotiated contracts for improved pricing and terms of business with suppliers.
- Worked collaboratively with stakeholders to discuss new projects, supplies and initiatives for determining impact on purchasing and production activities.
- Cultivated relationships with suppliers, negotiating contracts for new commodity sources.
- Managed supplier relations in accordance with company policies to drive supplier selection.
- Supported product change requests to communicate impact on capacity plans.
- Prepared contracts and completed pricing and schedule negotiations.
- Worked with vendors and internal team members to strengthen processes and surpass targets.
- Organized and prioritized projects.
- Located and vetted vendors, established good relationships and negotiated contracts.
- Settled complex new and existing agreements or statements of work, requests for information and requests for proposals.
- Represented companies in negotiating contracts and formulating policies with suppliers.
Senior Contracts Manager
Entrust
Shakopee, MN
04.2019 - 09.2021
- Monitored contractual obligations to ensure timely completion of tasks.
- Provided guidance on complex contractual matters to internal stakeholders.
- Led cross-functional teams responsible for drafting, reviewing, negotiating and executing various types of contracts.
- Performed regular reviews of existing contracts to identify opportunities for improvement or cost savings initiatives.
- Coordinated the execution process of all contracts with appropriate parties.
- Negotiated, drafted and reviewed contracts for a variety of products and services.
- Developed strategies to improve contract management processes.
- Maintained accurate records of all executed contracts in the organization's database.
- Advised senior management on potential contractual risks associated with proposed deals.
- Reviewed existing contracts for compliance with legal requirements and company policies.
- Reviewed proposed contracts against established policies, guidelines and legal requirements to identify critical issues.
- Negotiated, renegotiated and administered contracts with suppliers and vendors.
Senior Manager of Commercial Operations
Thales
Plantation, FL
05.2015 - 04.2018
- Researched alternative sources of supply to reduce purchasing costs and maintain quality standards.
- Ensured that all contracts are fulfilled according to agreed-upon timelines and specifications.
- Collaborated closely with internal stakeholders to identify material requirements and improve processes.
- Identified, evaluated, and negotiated with potential suppliers for a wide range of commodities.
- Maintained an accurate database of all existing contracts along with associated documents such as bids or quotes.
- Negotiated pricing agreements with vendors to maximize value while minimizing costs.
- Discussed ideas and strategies to improve operational efficiency, adding value and aiding business performance for continuous improvement.
- Developed new practices to increase efficient delivery of commodities and product process compliance.
- Managed a team of 10+ employees by providing guidance, setting goals and objectives, delegating tasks, and monitoring performance.
- Developed and implemented strategies to improve operational efficiency, reduce costs, and increase productivity.
- Coordinated with internal departments to ensure successful execution of projects according to timeline and budget constraints.
- Conducted regular performance appraisals for direct reports to provide feedback on their work performance.
- Supported objectives, checkpoints and timelines, managing team members to meet project tasks and expectations.
- Identified areas of improvement within existing operations through process analysis and benchmarking studies.
- Worked cross-functionally with marketing, sales and finance departments.
- Participated in recruitment initiatives by interviewing potential candidates and selecting suitable hires.
- Created detailed reports on project progress for senior management review.
- Ensured compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures across all business units.
- Developed long-term relationships with key stakeholders including customers, suppliers, regulatory bodies.
- Maintained adequate staffing to meet objectives within budget.
- Developed and led process improvements to optimize operations and reduce costs.
- Represented the organization at conferences or trade shows as an expert speaker on relevant topics.
- Delegated work to staff, setting priorities and goals.
- Provided leadership, insight and mentoring to newly hired employees to supply knowledge of various company programs.
Procurement and Licensing Specialist
Ultimate Software Group Inc.
Weston, FL
05.2013 - 02.2015
- Generated periodic reports detailing progress made on various aspects of the organization's licensure operations.
- Investigated customer inquiries regarding license status or eligibility criteria.
- Assisted in the development of new processes for streamlining licensure procedures.
- Collaborated with internal departments to ensure compliance with licensure requirements.
- Provided support to customers during the application process for professional licenses.
- Assisted in the preparation of reports summarizing current licensing activities.
- Compiled and maintained records of licensure information.
- Advised management on best practices related to maintaining accurate records of licensure information.
- Conducted research into potential new markets for expanding licensing services.
- Coordinated with external vendors to obtain necessary documentation for license applications.
- Facilitated communication between customers, internal staff, and third parties regarding licensing matters.
- Developed a tracking system to monitor license expiration dates and renewals.
Senior Operations Account Manager, Education
Microsoft Licensing GP
Reno, NV
10.2011 - 10.2012
- Collaborated with stakeholders across multiple departments to ensure alignment between business objectives and operational plans.
- Resolved customer complaints quickly and efficiently while maintaining a positive relationship with clients.
- Developed and managed client accounts to ensure efficient operations and customer satisfaction.
- Coordinated with other departments to facilitate the successful completion of projects within established timelines.
- Developed key performance indicators and tracked progress against them on a regular basis.
- Reviewed existing policies and procedures related to operations management and identified opportunities for improvement.
- Monitored daily operations to identify areas of improvement and implemented corrective actions when necessary.
- Used excellent verbal skills to engage customers in conversation and effectively determine needs and requirements.
- Listened to customer needs to identify and recommend best products and services.
Licensing Manager, Network Infrastructure
Cisco Systems, Inc.
San Jose, CA
01.2007 - 09.2011
- Prepared detailed reports summarizing license activities such as expiration dates, renewal status.
- Identified gaps in existing processes that could improve efficiency of license management operations.
- Provided guidance on complex licensing issues such as intellectual property rights, royalties, copyright law.
- Drafted and negotiated software licenses, technology transfer agreements, and other related contracts.
- Analyzed pricing models for software licenses based on industry standards and user needs.
- Developed and implemented licensing strategies to ensure compliance with internal and external regulations.
- Advised senior management on best practices for managing licenses in different geographies.
- Reviewed existing customer agreements to identify potential areas of risk or noncompliance.
- Ensured accuracy of documents submitted by clients prior to processing their requests.
- Coordinated with cross-functional teams to ensure successful completion of projects within timelines.
- Collaborated with legal counsels on resolving disputes involving license agreements.
- Conducted market research and reported on competitors.
U.S. Education Sales Contracts Manager
Apple
Cupertino, CA
08.2005 - 12.2006
- Monitored staff performance and addressed issues.
- Coached, mentored and trained team members in order to improve their job performance.
- Exercised good judgment and decision-making in escalating concerns and resolving issues.
- Assigned tasks to associates to fit skill levels and maximize team performance.
- Developed and implemented strategies to increase customer satisfaction and loyalty.
- Maintained up-to-date records of employee attendance, payroll information, vacation requests.
- Established processes to ensure efficient workflow throughout the organization.
- Enhanced team member performance through use of strategic and tactical approaches, motivational coaching and training.
- Led team meetings and one-on-one coaching sessions to continuously improve performance.
- Reviewed contracts before signing them on behalf of the organization.
Senior Contracts Administrator
Namco Hometek (now known as NamcoBandai Games)
San Jose, CA
05.2004 - 08.2006
- Completed paperwork, recognizing discrepancies and promptly addressing for resolution.
- Gained extensive knowledge in data entry, analysis and reporting.
- Applied effective time management techniques to meet tight deadlines.
- Paid attention to detail while completing assignments.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Reviewed contracts by verifying accuracy and resolving discrepancies.
- Developed and executed administrative processes to advance project's procedures, goals and objectives.
- Organized and prepared billing documentation.
- Prepared contract briefs and revisions to summarize contractual requirements and budgets.
- Created and implemented document management system for project contracts, subcontracts and bids.
- Created regular status reports regarding project progress.
Education
LL.M - Intellectual Property Law
Golden Gate University School of Law
San Francisco, CA12-2003
J.D. - Legal Studies
Stetson University College of Law
St. Petersburg, FL05-2001
Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice
Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC12-1987
Some College (No Degree) - Political Science
Howard University
Washington, DCSkills
- Global Procurement
- Supplier Relationship Management
- Cost Reduction
- Strategic Sourcing
- Negotiation
- Project Oversight
- Industry Expertise
- Results Orientation
- [Software] Expertise
- Pricing Negotiation
- Pricing Analysis
- Operations Management
- Supplier Relations
- Budget Administration
- Vendor Sourcing
- Vendor Relations
- Key Performance Indicators
- Procurement
Publications
Co-author, Article, “So You Want to Be in the Entertainment Industry? (Published in the
Entertainment Section of the Intellectual Property Journal by Aspen Books in September 2003)
Author, Paper, “Ambush Marketing in the Sports Arena: Illegal Strategy or Fair Game? (Published at the ABA Conference on Entertainment and Sports Law in New York, October 2003).
Timeline
Global Commodity Manager, Telco
Dell Technologies
10.2021 - Current
Senior Contracts Manager
Entrust
04.2019 - 09.2021
Senior Manager of Commercial Operations
Thales
05.2015 - 04.2018
Procurement and Licensing Specialist
Ultimate Software Group Inc.
05.2013 - 02.2015
Senior Operations Account Manager, Education
Microsoft Licensing GP
10.2011 - 10.2012
Licensing Manager, Network Infrastructure
Cisco Systems, Inc.
01.2007 - 09.2011
U.S. Education Sales Contracts Manager
Apple
08.2005 - 12.2006
Senior Contracts Administrator
Namco Hometek (now known as NamcoBandai Games)
05.2004 - 08.2006
LL.M - Intellectual Property Law
Golden Gate University School of Law
J.D. - Legal Studies
Stetson University College of Law
Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice
Western Carolina University
Some College (No Degree) - Political Science
Howard University
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