Yarzeawu M. Zaza
Procurement Specialist
Owings Mills,MD
Summary
- Procurement professional with over 6 years of experience in Procurement, maintaining vendor relationships to facilitate cost-effective and timely purchasing functions. Excellent negotiation and contract development skills.
- Results-driven Procurement professional offering superior research abilities, sound judgment and meticulous organizational skills. Meets internal supply needs while maintaining budget and operational goals.
- Effective at sourcing products, vetting vendors and managing bid process. Good relationship-builder and problem-solver with Systematic approach and excellent verbal and written communication skills. Well-versed in all types of procurement needs and processes.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
9
9
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Principal Procurement Officer
Civil Service Agency
Monrovia, Liberia
07.2019 - 09.2022
- Built relationships with vendors to negotiate ideal terms for purchases.
- Input, analyzed and reported on data covering all aspects of procurement operations.
- Provided a range of core procurement activities and contract performance management under the Public Sector Modernization Project (PSMP) grant and Government National Budget procurement with the Civil Service Agency ranging from the procurement of large value goods, works, and services for the PSMP and Core Budget.
- Provided technical leadership in carrying out all procurement activities on behalf of the PSMP and National Budget.
- Executed and coordinated procurement activities for acquisition of goods, services, and works, encompassing but not limited to verifying technical specifications or terms of reference, preparing letters of invitation/requests for quotations, overseeing evaluation processes, drafting evaluation reports, contracts, and minutes of contract negotiations, and ensuring all procurements are carried out in accordance with procurement regulations and the conditions of the grant and implementation agreements.
- Managed bid advertising, correspondence, bid receipt, and bid opening for all PSMP and National Budget funded procurements, strictly in accordance with best procurement practices, and Public Concession Commission policies and procedures.
- Provided contract administration services, including arranging for proper inspection, ensuring compliance with terms and conditions of contracts, assisting with contract amendments, and ensuring completion of works and delivery of goods.
Procurement Specialist
John F. Kennedy Memorial Medical Center
Monrovia, Liberia
01.2015 - 01.2018
- Identified new and more cost-effective suppliers through participation in industry networking events, purchasing advantageous packages and cutting costs.
- Reviewed all Purchase Requisitions from end user departments to determine their procurement needs and conducted market research to identify potential vendors.
- Developed all evaluation criteria and created solicitation documents such as Request for Quotation, Request for Proposal, National Competitive Bidding, and International Competitive Bidding.
- Engaged vendors in negotiations to identify and achieve significant cost savings and ensured timely implementation of procurement procedures, procurement of quality durable goods and adherence to institutional policies and procedures.
- Reviewed Purchase Order in line with Authorized Purchase Request for all necessary corrections for compliance purposes.
- Prepared Annual Procurement Plan in line with Cash Plan and supervised all Filling System and Inventory Database to ensure proper record of each item in Stock.
Revenue Enforcement Officer
Ministry of Finance
Monrovia, Liberia
12.2009 - 02.2014
- Analyzed and prepared enforcement section monthly and quarterly reports.
- Verified delinquent listing from the Registration Returns & Services Section to ensure Taxpayers were served demand notices for delinquent tax payments and ensured notices were with documentary evidence for services.
- Monitored anticipated payments and make periodic follow ups with taxpayers and conducted intelligence on businesses operating but out of the tax net and recommend Same to the RR&S Section for proper determinations and also recommended risk business to authority for Justice Ministry’s action.
Project Assistant
The Carter Center
Monrovia, Liberia
08.2008 - 11.2009
- Supervised the administrative and logistical needs of the Carter Center in Liberia, both the Monrovia and Harper offices;
- Created and updated records and files to maintain document compliance.
- Produced letters and memoranda to inform stakeholders of business decisions.
- Provided assistance with preparation of project-related reports, manuscripts and presentations
- Coordinated international travel, including booking tickets, hotel rooms, arranging airport pick up, and providing other support to guests, consultants, and staff as needed;
- Provided logistical support for all trainings, workshops and conferences held by the Carter Center and also coordinated the vehicle and transportation needs of the Monrovia office.
Education
Post-Graduate Diploma - Public Procurement Management
University of Liberia
Monrovia, Liberia 02.2014 - 12.2015
BBA - Accounting and Management
African Methodist Episcopal University (AMEU)
Monrovia, Liberia 05.2004 - 05.2008
High School Diploma -
Len Millar Senior High School
Monrovia, Liberia 09.2000 - 06.2003
Skills
Ability to plan, organize and monitor work to ensure achievement of desired results
Ability to develop and execute plan(s) to attain institutional goals and objectives
Purchasing
Purchase order creation
Bid process management
Supplier relationships
Project coordination
Timeline
Principal Procurement Officer
Civil Service Agency
07.2019 - 09.2022
Procurement Specialist
John F. Kennedy Memorial Medical Center
01.2015 - 01.2018
Post-Graduate Diploma - Public Procurement Management
University of Liberia
02.2014 - 12.2015
Revenue Enforcement Officer
Ministry of Finance
12.2009 - 02.2014
Project Assistant
The Carter Center
08.2008 - 11.2009
BBA - Accounting and Management
African Methodist Episcopal University (AMEU)
05.2004 - 05.2008
High School Diploma -
Len Millar Senior High School
09.2000 - 06.2003