SAP Ariba
Cecilia Ivy Senne
Strategic Procurement Leader | Automotive Manufacturing And Logistics Expert | Optimizing Supplier Portfolios And Risk Mitigation | Procurement Transformation Executive
Sandton
Summary
Senior procurement and supply chain executive with more than 20 years of experience in strategic sourcing, category management, supplier relationship management, and large-scale procurement transformation. Proven track record of delivering significant cost savings, leading global supplier negotiations, and managing multi-billion rand procurement portfolios across infrastructure, manufacturing, transportation, energy, and logistics sectors.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
3
3
Certifications
1
1
Language
Work History
Head of Procurement Energy,Construction, Facilities
Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) Consultant
11.2024 - 12.2025
- Supplier & Contract Management: Spearheaded complex contract negotiations and partnered with corporate legal to mitigate high-level risk
- Strategic Financial Oversight: Directed an annual spend of $2B+, implementing high-impact cost containment and resource allocation strategies.
- Procurement Digital Transformation: Defined software requirements for the development and optimization of internal and ERP modules to streamline operations
- Executive Leadership: Managed end-to-end supply chain compliance and led critical internal and external business audits
- Supplier & Contract Management: Spearheaded complex contract negotiations and partnered with corporate legal to mitigate high-level risk
- Global Strategy & Local Execution: Developed global procurement policies while empowering local teams to execute supplier consolidations and increase regional purchasing
- Stakeholder Alignment: Cultivated strategic partnerships with cross-functional matrix teams (IT, HR, Finance, Legal) to build a robust procurement project pipeline
- Continuous Improvement: Championed business-wide process optimization to significantly reduce lead times and improve overall service delivery.
- Managed procurement for the National Solar Project valued at approximately R0.5 billion.
- Implemented procurement best practices improving efficiency and risk management.
- Optimized purchase order procedures reducing processing time by 15%.
- Streamlined procurement processes reducing cycle time by 40%.
- Led supplier negotiations and category procurement strategies for construction and facilities.
Head of Procurement – IT, Medical, Facilities, Construction
South African National Blood Service (SANBS)
01.2023 - 10.2024
- Strategic Sourcing: Engineered global and regional category strategies for Indirect Procurement and MRO, focusing on high-value services like industrial gases and medical lab equipmentSpend Management: Held full accountability for a $2B+ annual spend, overseeing procurement across IT, Medical, Facilities, and Construction categories
- Digital Transformation: Led the modernization of procurement operations by developing software requirements for ERP and internal module updates
- Strategic Sourcing: Engineered global and regional category strategies for Indirect Procurement and MRO, focusing on high-value services like industrial gases and medical lab equipment
- Risk & Compliance: Directed end-to-end supply chain compliance and led all critical business audits, ensuring rigorous adherence to National Treasury and CIBD legislation
- Oversaw procurement operations with total spend exceeding R2 billion.
- Developed enterprise supply chain strategies and KPIs aligned with business goals.
- Led supplier contract negotiations and strategic sourcing initiatives.
- Directed cross-functional teams across procurement, warehousing, and supplier quality.
- Implemented operational improvements reducing logistics and procurement costs.
Head of Procurement & Supply Chain
Bombardier Transportation South Africa (Gautrain / Project Traxx)
10.2016 - 12.2022
- Major Infrastructure Projects: Led sourcing strategies for global programs, including Project Traxx SA and the Gautrain bid
- Led global category management and sourcing strategy for major rail projects.
- Managed teams across procurement, logistics, warehouse and supply chain functions.
- Developed 3–5 year sourcing strategies focused on cost optimization and supplier performance.
- Negotiated global contracts and implemented supplier localization strategies.
- Financial Impact: Achieved over R130 million in annual savings through the implementation of a new logistics transportation model and explosives transport tender
- Inventory Optimization: Reduced inventory by over R50 million within three years by introducing consignment stock for chemicals and spare parts.
- Operational Excellence: Improved contract spend efficiency from 60% to over 80% and established long-term strategic partnerships with key OEMs
Sourcing Manager
Cummins Inc.
04.2012 - 09.2016
- Product Development: Managed the commercial and supplier aspects of global product launches and sourcing projects
- Managed supplier sourcing, qualification and contract negotiations.
- Led sourcing strategy for product development and manufacturing projects.
- Developed RFP processes and supplier evaluation frameworks.
- Product Development: Managed the commercial and supplier aspects of global product launches and sourcing projects
- Supplier Development: Directed supplier qualification and performance management, with a specific focus on monitoring BEE status and diverse procurement spend.
National Procurement Manager
Lafarge Industries South Africa
02.2007 - 03.2012
- BBBEE Management: Actively monitored and reported on Supplier BEE status and procurement spend to ensure alignment with national transformation goals.Led national procurement operations and strategic sourcing programs.
- Developed procurement policies, tender processes, and supplier performance frameworks.
- Negotiated contracts and implemented cost saving initiatives across divisions.
- Strategic Governance: Established and managed the end-to-end tender process and procurement guidelines across all Group Divisions to ensure best-in-class pricing and service.
- Cost & Efficiency Optimization: Conducted deep-dive research and spend analysis to identify priority needs, resulting in the implementation of high-impact cost-saving initiatives
- Supplier Performance & Compliance: Directed regular supplier assessments and action plans to improve vendor ratings, quality of goods, and adherence to legal/tax requirements
- Empowerment & Transformation: Spearheaded a national mentoring program to train divisional staff on optimized procurement processes and service level agreement (SLA) implementation.
Education
Advanced Postgraduate Diploma - Logistics & Supply Chain Management
University of Johannesburg
Bachelor of Information Science - undefined
University of the Western Cape
National Diploma - Library & Information Science
University of the Western Cape
Professional Studies -
Cummins
Six SigmaSkills
Data Analytics
Strategic Sourcing
Category Management
Supplier Relationship Management
Contract Negotiation
Global Procurement
Spend Analysis
Procurement Transformation,
Cost Optimization,
Supply Chain Strategy
ERP & E-Procurement Systems
Compliance & Governance
Financial Acumen
e-Procurement Tools
Microsoft Dynamics 365
Influencing & Persuasion
Emotional Intelligence (EQ)
Decisiveness
Accomplishments
Cecilia consistently delivers bottom-line impact while mitigating complex market risks
Cecilia Senne is a strategic procurement executive with over 20 years of leadership experience in optimizing global supply chains
R2+ billion procurement portfolio management: Successfully led large-scale procurement operations at SANBS, ACSA, and multinational companies.
Major project procurement: Managed procurement for ACSA’s R1 Billion National Solar Project and major construction/energy initiatives.
Cost optimization & savings: Delivered significant savings through strategic sourcing and tender negotiations, including R30M transport tender savings and R100M logistics optimization.
Global and local sourcing expertise: Led sourcing strategies across manufacturing, engineering, transport, medical, and IT categories, including global supplier negotiations and localization strategies.
Contract & compliance leadership: Oversaw end-to-end contract lifecycle management, ensuring PFMA, PPPFA, and Treasury compliance in all public sector procurement.
Process improvement & SCM efficiency: Implemented process enhancements reducing procurement cycle time by up to 40% and purchase order processing time by 15%.
Supplier relationship management: Built and maintained strong supplier partnerships, improving quality, delivery, and cost-efficiency.
Leadership & team management: Supervised cross-functional procurement teams across multiple locations and business units, fostering high-performing teams.
Cross-sector experience: Extensive experience in construction, manufacturing, engineering, public and private sector procurement, including multinational corporations and SOEs.
Cecilia Senne is a strategic procurement executive with over 20 years of leadership experience in optimizing global supply chains across the automotive, manufacturing, and logistics sectors. A specialist in procurement transformation, she has a proven track record of re-engineering workflows to drive efficiency and achieving multi-million dollar cost reductions. By leveraging deep expertise in high-value category management and strategic supplier partnerships, Cecilia consistently delivers bottom-line impact while mitigating complex market risks. She is prepared to lead the procurement division toward world-class operational excellence.
Affiliations
CIPS (Chartered Institute of Supply Chain & Procurement) –
Membership Number: 005714970
Africa Women in Supply Chain
Integration into the Purchasing Function – Lafarge University
Corporate Business Management
The Art of Negotiation
Software
Oracle
Peoplesoft
Coupa
Jaggaer
Microsoft Office Suite
Power BI
Advanced Excel
PowerPoint
Ms Word
Outlook
Certification
Six Sigma
Interests
International Travel
Cricket 🏏
Rugby 🏉
Technology & Innovation
Public Speaking or Debate
Chess
Timeline
Head of Procurement Energy,Construction, Facilities
Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) Consultant
11.2024 - 12.2025
Head of Procurement – IT, Medical, Facilities, Construction
South African National Blood Service (SANBS)
01.2023 - 10.2024
Head of Procurement & Supply Chain
Bombardier Transportation South Africa (Gautrain / Project Traxx)
10.2016 - 12.2022
Six Sigma
09-2012
Sourcing Manager
Cummins Inc.
04.2012 - 09.2016
Integration into the Purchasing Function
11-2009
Corporate Art of Negotiation
09-2009
National Procurement Manager
Lafarge Industries South Africa
02.2007 - 03.2012
Advanced Postgraduate Diploma - Logistics & Supply Chain Management
University of Johannesburg
Bachelor of Information Science - undefined
University of the Western Cape
National Diploma - Library & Information Science
University of the Western Cape
Professional Studies -
Cummins