Open to opportunities

Kathy Lester

@kathylester

Message

Dynamic, collaborative, and adaptable leader

United States

Message

What I'm looking for

Seeking a challenging role that leverages my procurement expertise to drive operational efficiency and financial performance, while providing opportunities for growth and development.

Kathy Lester is a seasoned procurement professional with over a decade of experience in leading cross-functional teams, negotiating high-value contracts, and implementing cost-saving initiatives that drive operational efficiency and enhance financial performance. With a proven track record in managing multi-million-dollar budgets, optimizing supplier performance, and developing procurement strategies that align with organizational goals, Kathy is a skilled leader who excels in leveraging market analysis, supplier relationships, and advanced procurement technologies to deliver sustainable solutions and achieve strategic objectives.

Throughout her career, Kathy has demonstrated exceptional leadership, negotiation prowess, and a strong commitment to excellence and integrity in procurement practices. Her expertise spans contract negotiation, cross-functional collaboration, project management, cost reduction strategies, stakeholder engagement, process improvement, supply chain optimization, and interpersonal communication.

Kathy holds an MBA in Project Management from Dallas Baptist University and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management from Northwood University. She is proficient in a range of technical skills, including Microsoft Office Suite, SAP Ariba, ERP Maestro, Smartsheet, ServiceNow, JIRA, Salesforce, Google Workspace, SharePoint, DocuSign, and more.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

SaaS Services Manager

Current

Zylo, Inc.

Apr 2023 - Present (2 years 1 month)

Spearheads SaaS negotiations for major customers, providing strategic recommendations based on software cost analysis. Develops management programs to improve supplier performance and optimize SaaS management, delivering significant ROI and cost avoidance.

SaaS Management Contract Negotiation Stakeholder Engagement Supplier Management Cost Management Project Management Strategic Development KPI Tracking Communication Negotiation

Senior Procurement Analyst

WNS Denali, Inc.

Oct 2021 - Apr 2023 (1 year 6 months)

Championed indirect procurement strategies, managing multiple contracts and leading negotiations to secure optimal terms. Analyzed spend patterns and supplier performance to drive cost-saving initiatives, delivering substantial annual savings.

Procurement Contract Negotiation Cost Saving Initiatives Vendor Management Market Analysis Project Management Communication

Procurement Analyst II

SGA, Inc. at Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas

May 2021 - Oct 2021 (5 months)

Orchestrated the procurement proposal process, leading cross-functional teams and managing vendor negotiations. Ensured compliance with procurement standards and maintained accurate records, enhancing procurement efficiency.

Procurement Negotiation Cross Functional Team Management Compliance Records Management Team Coordination Communication

Procurement Analyst II

Kubota Tractor Corporation

May 2017 - Apr 2021 (3 years 11 months)

Led vendor assessment and selection, ensuring service quality and cost efficiency. Managed a significant project budget and collaborated with internal teams to execute procurement processes effectively.

Vendor Assessment Project Management Budget Management Procurement Cost Management Collaboration Communication Continuous Improvement Negotiation

Procurement/IT Administrative Assistant

Everman School District

Oct 2010 - May 2017 (6 years 7 months)

Designed a procurement evaluation process and executed cost-reduction strategies. Maintained detailed records of expenditures and provided insights to improve procurement efficiency.

Procurement Process Improvement Performance Analysis Communication Negotiation