Darin Howard Email and Phone Number

Procurement Category Manager of Travel for Best Buy responsible for; travel policy, risk management, corporate cost reductions and contract management relating to Individual Corporate and Group Travel.Led the strategic sourcing and category management of travel representing eighty one million annually in spend for; airline, hotel, car rental, and other contracts in support of all company employee travel. I was responsible for the strategic sourcing, negotiation and contracting for a portfolio of highly similar and complex products and services. Worked to reduce costs by leveraging world-class negotiations through sourcing strategies, tools and processes and mitigated risk through policy as well as contract development and negotiations.

Began with Carlson Marketing/Amia in a Sales Planning/Buying position advancing to a Senior position and ending as a Senior Event Purchasing Manager. Event procurement for Merck Pharmaceutical's global business and Boehringer-Ingelheim Pharmaceutical's North American business. Lead consultant and strategist on the development and implementation of Merck's Global Preferred Meeting Vendor Program. Responsible for procurement, tracking and reporting in excess of 135 events annually over 35,000 room nights. Strategic Travel and Event Procurement Department Implemented and procured Carlson Marketing's Strategic Meetings Management solution for all new SMM clients to include: US Bank, Fiserv, Oracle, BearingPoint, Nortel, GM Financial Services and The Hartford. Responsible for procurement implementation, contracts consulting and development, strategic sourcing process, technology implementation, vendor management, savings and cost avoidance, and risk management (legal & business). Supported the Sales Department in planning, costing and design of travel proposals for Merck Pharmaceutical's North American business. Provided effective destination recommendations, supplier selection and contract negotiations. Achieved 90% compliance towards client contract goals. Annual cost savings $25 Million achieved.

On site management of global corporate incentives and meetings for BIs' Fortune 100 clients. Responsible for staff and vendor management, program operations, budget auditing and reconciliation.