Walter C. Watts, Mba Email & Phone Number

Ann Arbor, Mi, Us

Ann Arbor, Michigan , Us

Basel, Baselstadt, Ch

Managed the Global Media Category for NVS Oncology & Pharma Business Units ($1B in spend) and contributed to developing strategies to execute digital media campaigns with global media partnerships and ROI models. • Developed and executed the end-to-end US Media category sourcing strategy, including social media listening, digital media, and programmatic media, resulting in savings for 2022/2023.• Conducted an audit for Media, Marketing, and Digital vendors, identifying and reclaiming overspending in 2022/2023.• Elevated media partner value and realized savings (2022/2023) through strategic partner assessments and complex negotiations.• Spearheaded the end-to-end strategic sourcing process, including strategy development, data and market analysis, pricing negotiations and financial analysis, RFx management via SAP Ariba, awardee scoring, executing complex Master Service Agreements, and vendor management for media vendors in 2022 and 2023.• Reviewed and approved marketing and media vendor SOWs, Pilot Projects, Purchase Orders, and Expense Requests for $1B in global media spend.• Managed complex processes from beginning to end in a complex matrix organization while delivering business results and contributing to $50M in savings for the US media category during 2022 and 2023.

Basel, Baselstadt, Ch

Supported Real Estate & Facilities (REFS) global category manager's strategy development, execution, reporting, and continuous improvement of sourcing efforts to manage $2B+ of US indirect spend across six categories (Managed Services, Utilities, Professional Services, Real Estate, Health, Safety, and Environment, Construction). • Created a Financial Controls (FC) compliance assessment to rectify procurement records and ensure SOX audit readiness across REFS categories.• Crafted and executed preferred supplier sourcing strategies, utilizing data analytics to drive Novartis business results and achieve savings in Q3/Q4 2021 and Q1/Q2 2022.• Led REFS procurement strategic sourcing and cost reduction initiatives, conducting RFx events via SAP Ariba to capture savings.• Led and implemented several REFS procurement supplier sourcing and strategic cost reduction activities by conducting market research, utilizing cost modeling methods, and soliciting RFx events. Including the development of project work plans, category strategy, evaluation criteria for suppliers, and negotiating terms.• Assisted senior REFS Global category managers—in conjunction with internal stakeholders with developing sourcing strategies for preferred suppliers and sourcing products and services using proven tools, processes, and analytics to drive and achieve NVS business results.• Assessed sourcing strategies from a total cost ownership perspective, developed scorecards for awardee selection, and recommended sourcing optimizations.• Led REFS contract data migration to Ariba, streamlining procurement and enhancing contract oversight.• Designed and advanced the REFS diverse supplier strategy, championing supplier diversity and expanding the portfolio by 15 diverse suppliers in 2020/2021.• Aligned cross-functional teams to enhance compliance, audit savings, and strategize procurement plans.• Analyzed spend data to refine procurement, consolidate suppliers, and negotiate cost-saving contracts.

University Park, Pa, Us

• Supervised teams of undergraduate and graduate students in solving problems and generating solutions to develop mobile applications and business services for healthcare ventures and to reduce post-harvest loss of fresh produce in East Africa.• Consulted 50+ students on researching supply chain developments, African markets, and processing capabilities for agricultural products in African countries.• Helped students create business plans for Ag-related services and coached them on presenting and pitching to investors. Resulting in $25k of funding for the business ventures. • Led trainings in organic food production and sustainable packaging, value-added food processing, financial and organizational management, and commercialization of agricultural and processed food products.• Facilitated field visits in local indigenous communities throughout East Africa and established relationships with local businesses to further the goals of the HESE program.• Assisted the director of the HESE program with improving the quality of HESE courses, subject matter, and field visits to conduct research in Kenya. • Collaborated on selecting and developing social ventures for the HESE program.

University Park, Pa, Us

• Executed strategic sourcing strategies to acquire IT goods and services while ensuring cost-effectiveness, quality, and alignment with business objectives.• Collaborated closely with IT teams and other relevant departments to understand Katz Law department technology needs and ensured smooth operations.• Assessed and mitigated risks associated with IT procurement, including supply chain disruptions, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and compliance issues.• Ensured proper operation and configuration of university software and hardware for students, faculty, and staff.• Analyzed, diagnosed, and repaired issues with student, faculty, and staff university user accounts, computer hardware, software, network problems, classroom equipment, and faculty and student computers. • Conducted end-user education and training on various types of university-related software, applications, media, and computer-related tools.• Repaired 100+ computers and smartphones, saving more than $100K for students and faculty.

Arlington, Va, Us

• Coordinated contracting, reporting, monitoring & evaluation, and financial management for seven GETF water access projects, ranging from $200K to $6M.• Assisted with Replenish Africa Initiative (RAIN) and the Water and Development Alliance (WADA) project identification and development, including reviewing grant proposals to assess the quality of programming, compliance with client requirements, and overall good standing of nonprofit status. • Curated an MS Access database of key project indicators used to track project impact and outputs for over $30M worth of GETF project operations.• Contributed to developing a program-wide monitoring and evaluation program for RAIN projects, including the selection of standard indicators, refinement of indicator protocols, and development of reporting templates.

Arlington, Va, Us

• Analyzed and interpreted water quality data and environmental risk assessment reports and advised solutions to water quality problems for GETF water access projects.

Denver, Co, Us

• Managed supply chain operations for the procurement of plastics components and micro-drip irrigation systems, including vendor sourcing, price negotiation, shipping logistics, and inventory and quality control of irrigation kits.• Directed logistics strategies, overseeing critical functions such as import operations, domestic transportation, and warehousing. Managed a team of logistics professionals to ensure operational efficiency and adherence to regulatory standards.• Served as the primary Import Administrator ensuring alignment with import regulations. • Pitched and secured new business for iDE Burkina Faso, responsible for $250K in sales.• Steered different aspects of retail and supply chain planning implementation projects in the fields of demand forecasting, replenishment, and process development• Hired and Supervised a team of inventory, sales, and project managers across Burkina Faso.• Assisted the country director in setting organizational priorities and mentoring staff on project management, goal setting, professional development, and overall performance.• Conduct detailed data analysis to uncover strengths and deficiencies in customer processes to guide optimal solution builds• Led monitoring & evaluation project activities, collecting, recording, and reporting data related to sales and installations of irrigation kits to the iDE central business unit. •Tested and validated key performance metrics like forecast accuracy, inventory projections, and cost reductions.• Determined product supply chain routes and coordinated all distribution schedules for partnered retailers and projects.• Performed business insight and problem-solving activities at the strategic, operational, and company level.• Trained customers to become proficient and self-sustaining in their customized irrigation solution.

Washington, District Of Columbia, Us

• Led the development of a local poultry hatchery and farm co-op of smallholder farmers. • Drafted and secured a grant proposal for $10K in USAID grants allocated towards water point construction for increased sustainable access to improved clean water supply for community members.• Wrote and secured a grant proposal for $2K allocated to purchase materials, equipment, and micro-drip irrigation kits for community gardens and gardening education programs.• Collaborated with local female leaders to create a women’s business association focused on manufacturing and selling fair-trade certified consumer products, resulting in more than 30 new community jobs.• Trained over 200 men and women throughout Burkina Faso in soy transformation techniques, including the production of soymilk, tofu brochettes, and soy-based yogurt.• Led the pioneering production and delivery of mobile-platform media in the form of short films and formatted educational sketches focused on sustainable farming techniques and healthcare.

• Designed and constructed organic urban farms and vegetable gardens for residential and commercial property owners.

• Inspected poultry production facilities and equipment daily to confirm compliance with state and federal sanitation standards.• Constructed poultry housing and reared poultry from chick stage to adult stage for poultry processing• Processed poultry and packaged all poultry products for distribution to local restaurants and retail markets. • Oversaw the analysis and control of biological, chemical, and physical hazards for poultry production.• Supervised sanitation and process control at the poultry processing farm to ensure pathogen reduction performance standards for Salmonella and E. coli in accordance with the USDA's Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS).• Inspected milk production facilities and equipment daily to confirm compliance with state and federal sanitation standards and to address maintenance issues. • Supervised and trained employees and volunteers on farm operations involving poultry processing, milk and cheese production, product packaging, and product distribution to local markets.

• Translated agri-business reports from English into French and Congolese dialects for the local academic and business community.• Collaborated with University professors & graduate students on assessing various environmental problems associated with wastewater and the impacts of excess fertilizer & pesticide farm runoff on watersheds throughout Kinshasa, DRC.

Master Of Business Administration - Mba, Logistics, Materials, And Supply Chain Management

Master Of International Affairs, International Business, Supply Chains, Food, And Water Security

Bachelor Of Science (Bs) - Biology, Agroecology, Plant Genetics, And Sustainable Agriculture

Graduate Certificate, Logistics, Materials, And Supply Chain Management

Graduate Certificate, Agricultural Biosecurity And Food Defense