CELESTINE SALOME TAABU

Dynamic Chief Procurement Officer with over 16 years of global experience driving supply chain excellence and digital transformation across leading organizations. Expertise in procurement strategy, global sourcing, and strategic partnerships consistently delivers significant cost savings and enterprise-wide value. Proven track record in optimizing vendor management, enhancing supplier diversity initiatives, and spearheading innovative sustainability efforts within procurement. Adept at navigating complex negotiations and leveraging emerging technologies to mitigate risks and ensure compliance in an ever-evolving supply chain landscape.

• Design Strategic Procurement plan for Safaricom Ethiopia that resulted USD 4 Million cost saving against USD 22 Million budget.
• Tasked and led the implementation of thorough benchmarking practices across all spend categories, resulting in the rationalization of costs across the marketing category. This initiative led to substantial savings of over 50% (2 Million ETB)

• Led a team of SCM specialists in creating working catalogues to enhance efficiency in the Procure-to-Pay (P2P) process resulting into 45% on value benefit.
• In the resource-constrained startup environment, I established structures that reduced costs while managing sensitive multicultural stakeholders sourcing need that led to the launch of Safaricom Ethiopia Telco in 25 towns and cities of Ethiopia within 90 days.
• Using technology, I led the travel automation process from manual booking to SAP Concur booking tool, that resulted in 89% efficiency on logistics, price intelligence, reduced lag time by 50%.
• During Covid-19 I was recognized as an exceptional performer, consistently exceeding expectations in Safaricom Supply Chain Management for 3 three years, with procurement savings exceeding KES 2 Billion.

• Provided a template for detailed spend analysis companywide that resulted into 50% risk management across all procurement processes, mitigating risks of non-supply, fraudulent vendors, poor service quality, and inferred reputational risks.
• Initiated and conducted sensitization sessions for all stakeholders on ERP change processes and governance changes, ensuring 100% stakeholder alignment with new systems and processes.
• In 2020, I led a dedicated team to Safaricom's recognition with the SPIRIT HEROES VODACOM CEO AWARD FY 2020 in the Volunteer category, underscoring our commitment to Customer Obsession, Purpose, Innovation, and Collaboration.
• Delivered unified communications project, Bespoke, Ruckus Wi-Fi and E1 Voice, together with the Enterprise Service Delivery team by compiling the SOW and SLAs for the legal and sourcing team, that resulted into 70% Market share.

Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply Chain Management (CIPS)

• Category Management Paragon 21, UK. 2017 - 2023
• Breakthrough Leadership Circle -BLT & Rise School Patricia Murugami -2021
• Business Partnering Strathmore University - 2018

• Agile Foundations
• Transformational Leadership Training
• Cultivating Mental Agility
• Learning Agility
• Strategic Agility
• MCIPS -005454978
• KISM Purchasing licensed practitioner. -82270
• Accredited supply chain professional - American Academy of Project Management

• Travel Management
• Strategic Business Consultancy
• Market Research and Logistics
• Corporate and Commercial Sevices
• Leadership in Strategic Category Sourcing
• Category Sourcing Strategy Development
• Supply Chain Management
• Coaching, Mentoring, and Capacity Building
• ERP Change Process and Governance
• Catalog Development for Procurement Efficiency
• International/Global Market Benchmarks

• Procurement Expertise Extensive experience in procurement strategy development, execution, tendering processes, and negotiation skills.
• Leadership Skills Strong leadership qualities with the ability to manage and lead complex negotiations and teams, including coaching and mentoring newly hired category managers.
• Supply Chain Expertise Comprehensive understanding of supply chain strategy and planning, capacity strengthening, and performance development
• Stakeholder Engagement Effective engagement and management of internal and external stakeholders, fostering strong relationships for successful procurement outcomes.
• Strategic Business Consulting Experience in providing strategic business consultancy, contributing to organizational effectiveness and success
• Category Management Proven expertise in the entire category management cycle, from strategic planning to supplier management, ensuring optimal cost and value delivery
• Ethics and Compliance A commitment to ethics and compliance in procurement processes, ensuring adherence to policies, procedures, and governance

CIPS - MCIPS

CSCP - Certified Supply Chain profession from ASCM

MKISM - Purchasing practitioner