Elvis R. Howard

About Elvis R. Howard

I am a dedicated customer-centric professional with extensive industry vendor and operations management experience who specializes in optimizing vendor relationships and operational strategies. My expertise lies in streamlining complex processes, negotiating high-value contracts, and aligning vendor performance with organizational goals. Throughout my career at Nike, Apple, and other industry-leading companies, I’ve championed cross-functional collaboration, bridging the gap between vendors, internal stakeholders, and legal teams to drive efficiency and deliver results that matter. From leading RFP processes to market analysis, I thrive in fast-paced environments where innovative solutions and strategic thinking are key to success. I am deeply committed to enhancing operational efficiency through data-driven insights, market intelligence, and a proactive approach to resolving issues before they become roadblocks. I’ve consistently demonstrated my ability to negotiate win-win outcomes while managing the entire vendor lifecycle—from selection to performance optimization. With a focus on compliance, governance, and building strong relationships, I excel at leading teams, fostering strategic partnerships, and ensuring operational and financial objectives are met. Beyond the technical hands-on leadership, I bring a passion for continuous improvement and a collaborative mindset. I am focused on meeting targets and creating sustainable, long-term success. My hands-on approach and dedication to mentorship and teamwork allow me to cultivate environments where innovation and operational excellence thrive. Whether refining contract terms or leading cross-functional meetings, I approach each challenge with a solutions-oriented mindset and a commitment to driving impact.

Experience

1. Vendor Management Lead, Corporate Information Security (Cis)

   耐克

   Jun 2024 — Present · Beaverton, OR, US

   Main Job Functions and Specific Contributions: • Leads cross-functional meetings with Directors and Senior Leaders, to drive clarity on how to align vendor/partnership strategy with organizational goals. • Engages in contract value discussions with internal stakeholders to ensure alignment on strategic objectives and optimize contract performance, achieving 5-10% year-over-year reductions in costs. • Updates and refines vendor performance metrics (KPIs) driving continuous improvements in vendor performance and operational efficiencies, to effectively reduce or redistribute resource allocation. • Analyzes data pulls from multiple systems to deliver quality reporting dashboards, driving data-driven improvements to resource utilization. • Updates contract template to accurately capture requirements from relevant stakeholders. • Engages global labor vendors to ensure strong partnerships for both niche and general skill sets. • Leverages various platforms to manage contract lifecycle, governance, and escalations.

Education

• California State University, Long Beach

  BS, Economics

  2007 — 2010

• Hult International Business School London

  MBA, Business Administration and Management, General

  2012 — 2013