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
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
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