Hi, I’m
Elke Zemmer Vargas
Bachelor´s In Business Administration
Alajuela,Alajuela
Summary
Highly focused with a comprehensive understanding of logistics, procurement, and the supply chain. Boasting a consistent & proven record of successfully employing the best business practices that improve efficiency, and reduce operating costs while increasing performance, all too tight time scales and within budget. Purposeful and data-driven Supply Chain Professional with a solid history in purchasing, managing suppliers, achieving inventory cost reductions, implementing major process initiatives, providing end-user requirements, and directing ERP and MRP systems implementation. Effective in working across diverse cross-functional matrix teams, developing talent, and managing large teams.
Overview
13
years of professional experience
2003
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Huntsman
Order Management Team Lead (Temporary)
07.2024 - 12.2024
Job overview
- Managed the order entry team for the US, Canada, and Mexico, consisting of 8 people
- Established and created metrics for order processing and delivery date confirmation time, as there were no defined metrics previously
- Implemented a new customer distribution based on service standardization
- Team-Based Order Management: Rather than assign specific CSAs to each customer, create the orders for the CSA´s team based on their experience level
- This will foster greater flexibility, coverage, and a more balanced workload across the team
VERTIV Co.
Order & Customer Channel Manager LATAM
03.2021 - 03.2023
Job overview
- Led the centralized sales order processing department and Channel Delivery team for Latin America
- Managed a multinational team across Colombia, Mexico, Chile, Argentina, and Peru of 18 people
- I was part of the team that devised an integrated solution to support complete control of the quote-to-order process
- Improved the tool, its guidelines, and parameters, and took part in testing and providing training on the tool to the sales team
- Exceeded established service levels for end-users and channel partners, elevating the overall customer experience
- Orchestrated the involvement of company personnel, including support, service, operations, and management resources, to meet partner performance goals and channel expectations
- Maintained up-to-date backlog reports, found potential risks to monthly sales targets, and prompt corrective actions implementation
- Streamlined order processing time from 12 to 2 days by implementing internal process optimization strategies, conducting targeted training, and refining KPI monitoring
- Spearheaded the implementation, development, and drop shipment deliveries across the region execution
CITIBANK
Reimbursable Business Expense Manager
05.2020 - 02.2021
Job overview
- Oversaw expense report approvals for Latin America and Mexico with a team of 8 people, ensuring compliance with the Corporate Expense Management Policy (CEMP)
- Planned and executed reconciling prepayments, refunds, and invoice applications for Brazil, managing over $350K in transactions
- Improved the payment return process, closing 300+ invoices and hastening payments for approximately 500 users
- Conducted thorough reviews and investigations to resolve longstanding red invoices, while updating all related procedures
- Led new corporate card program across Costa Rica implementation, El Salvador, Panama, and Guatemala
CITIBANK
Buying Desk Manager NAM and Mexico
11.2018 - 05.2020
Job overview
- Oversaw daily operations and led a team of eight managing all Transactional Procurement processes, while addressing and resolving customer escalations both internally and externally
- Transformed PO processing for the US, Canada, and Mexico from a category-based to a universal process, enhancing team redundancy and efficiency
- Established daily priorities and managed workflow to ensure consistent adherence to timeliness and quality standards
- Supported departmental audit and compliance initiatives, ensuring adherence to regulatory requirements
- Resolved invoice/PO match holds through effective collaboration with business units and Accounts Payable
- Implemented relevant internal and external policies (e.g., AML, IS, CEMP) in daily processing activities, keeping operational integrity
VERTIV Co.
Supply Chain and Logistics Manager
12.2016 - 06.2018
Job overview
- Oversaw centralized Purchase Order processing for Latin America, managing logistics from factories to final destinations while ensuring regulatory compliance
- Leading a team of 22 people, including buyers, logistics managers, sourcing managers, inventory analysts and category managers
- Supervised daily operations of Panama warehouse, including import/export procedures and inventory management
- Managed all Latin American procurement activities, including contracts and supplier relations
- Developed Spot Bid Program for regional air and ocean shipments, achieving 20% average savings
- Implemented Oracle interface for Panama warehouse, reducing workload by 30% in receiving and invoicing processes
- Managed logistics budgets and forecasting to achieve cost-effective operations.
- Developed strong relationships with vendors, leading to improved pricing and service levels.
Emerson Network Power, now VERTIV Co.
Central Order Processing and Logistics Supervisor
04.2012 - 11.2016
Job overview
- I Led a team of 15 purchasing and logistics professionals
- Designed a Master File report to control orders across LATAM, accessible 24/7 for stakeholders in different countries to track their shipments
- The report helps to improve KPIs and present them to each country's general manager to monitor operation progress
- This helped control order processing times, provided supplier performance data about delivery dates and OTD allowed logistics time tracking and generated valuable process statistics
- This information helps to create corporate bids for annual rates
- Managed centralized Purchase Order processing and logistics for Latin America, ensuring global trade compliance
- Streamlined order entry, reducing processing time from 48 to 24 hours, and implementing a regional information hub
- Improved on-time deliveries by 80% within the first year and negotiated 15% reduction in freight rates
- Developed an Air Bag program for FCL, reducing export crate costs
- Optimized productivity by separating order entry and logistics processes
Education
Universidad Hispanoamerica
B. Sc from Business Administration with Emphasis on Human Resources
Skills
Proficient in SAP and
Operations management
Process improvement
Coaching and mentoring
Key performance indicators
Teamwork and collaboration
Problem-solving
Managing cross-functional teams
Risk management
Compliance regulations
Global logistics management
Supply chain improvement
Vendor management
Project management
Bid preparation
Negotiation strategies
Regional operations oversight
Customer experience enhancement
Contract terms knowledge
Legal agreements knowledge
Negotiation skills
Procurement processes knowledge
Drop-shipment operations management
Personal Information
- ID Number: 109670387
- Driving License: B1
- Visa Status: Visa Americana
Timeline
Order Management Team Lead (Temporary)
Huntsman
07.2024 - 12.2024
Order & Customer Channel Manager LATAM
VERTIV Co.
03.2021 - 03.2023
Reimbursable Business Expense Manager
CITIBANK
05.2020 - 02.2021
Buying Desk Manager NAM and Mexico
CITIBANK
11.2018 - 05.2020
Supply Chain and Logistics Manager
VERTIV Co.
12.2016 - 06.2018
Central Order Processing and Logistics Supervisor
Emerson Network Power, now VERTIV Co.
04.2012 - 11.2016
Universidad Hispanoamerica
B. Sc from Business Administration with Emphasis on Human Resources
01.2003