Ahoy there! I’m CELIA, a Procurement Pirate—sailing through the vast oceans of sourcing, uncovering hidden treasures of cost savings, operational efficiencies, and strategic partnerships. With my analytical compass and creative mindset, I chart the best course for stakeholders, ensuring smooth voyages through even the stormiest negotiations.
celia lucas
MY TREASURE MAP INCLUDES:
🏴☠️ Navigating complex procurement challenges with data-driven insights
💡 Unlocking cost-saving opportunities without compromising quality
🛶 Bridging diverse perspectives to unify teams toward success
🤝 Building relationships and empowering others—because People Teach People!
Whether it’s strategic sourcing, supplier negotiations, or process optimization, I thrive in the art of balancing analytics with creativity (as you can tell- :-)) to drive impactful solutions. Ready to embark on the next great adventure in procurement—let’s connect and set sail for success! ⛵⚓
THE ESSENTIALS YOU ASKED FOR: Pirate Role for Your Voyage
Undergraduate degree in Procurement, Supply Chain Mgmt, Finance and/or Business preferred but not required
MBA and BS from Western New England University
Negotiations Certificate from Harvard Business Online School
Experience with Direct vendors in the healthcare vertical desired. Ready to go to market (GTM) offerings including Saas Value add services.
Currently working in the Healthcare industry and working on many types of contracts including SaaS agreement.
Experience preparing and presenting complex materials or issues before a wide variety of audiences.
Let this page be a testament to presentation. :-)
I have a certificate of negotiation and another one from the WIN Institute a while back. There are many ways to negotiate, and everyone is a little different. You have to do the research and analysis upfront, then you have to pay very close attention (it’s called SIPPING TEA- meaning LISTENING because the people tell you what they want!), and then you discuss it with your stakeholders and business owner and formulate levels of negotiations. We negotiate every day of our lives. Some listen better. :-)
One more technique and RULE #1- ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS ASK.! People forget to ask. Just ask, and they may agree!
Demonstrated a record of accomplishment in negotiating contracts and vendor management.
Demonstration of strong financial analytic acumen required and Expereince creating and executing category plans
Developed Playbooks for categories which is page by page of analytics! Dashboarding is so important with our roles in the Procurement world. One can not have a role in Procurement without a strong DATA-DRIVEN contributor to the team.
Experience building and maintaining strong relationships with a diverse set of internal and partner constituencies, including senior-level executives and legal, finance, support, sales, and marketing experts.
I am RELATIONHIP-FOCUSED. PEOPLE Teach PEOPLE. That is my motto! :-)
I work with everyone and including senior-level executives with stakeholders above mentioned but also with the Compliance, HR, Privacy and Security team.
2.5+ years of relevant experience with Procurement, Spend Analysis, Strategic Sourcing, Source-to-pay processes and technologies required; consulting expereince preferred
Seasoned procurement pirate ready to roll up the sleeves and support the team’s goals.
MORE ABOUT ME
EXTRAS ON BOARD
MY PEEPS
FROM THE DECK…
I worked closely with Celia, witnessing firsthand their exceptional ability to drive cost savings, enhance operational efficiencies, and build consensus among diverse business stakeholders. One of her most impressive achievements was successfully consolidating suppliers and renegotiating a $6 million spend category, ultimately securing a 40% cost reduction—all while maintaining quality and ensuring seamless delivery timelines.
Beyond the numbers, Celia is a strategic thinker and an expert negotiator. Her ability to conduct complex RFP processes was particularly evident in a high-stakes negotiation for a five-year contract. When unexpected challenges arose, she navigated them with precision, identifying creative solutions that mitigated risks and maximized the company's savings. Her dedication, problem-solving mindset, and ability to bring key business owners together made a lasting impact on our procurement strategy.
Simply put, Celia is a procurement leader who not only delivers measurable results but also fosters strong relationships across the organization. Her expertise, adaptability, and commitment to excellence make her an invaluable asset to any company. She has a contagious personality and is always upbeat, finding the best out of every situation.
VINAY GANDHI
vinay.b.gandhi@gmail.com
Director of Procurement- CCA
I have had the privilege of working with Celia since 2021, when they joined Commonwealth Care Alliance and immediately took on two critical new initiatives—developing our Travel Program and launching a Supplier Diversity Program from the ground up. Her ability to step into these complex projects and execute them with precision and impact speaks volumes about her expertise and leadership.
Celia is a truly data-driven procurement leader with an exceptional ability to translate analytics into strategic decisions that drive cost savings and operational efficiencies. She is also an outstanding people person—an active listener who collaborates seamlessly across departments, ensuring that procurement strategies align with the organization's broader goals. Celia's stakeholder management skills are second to none, and she consistently earns accolades from teams across the company for her responsiveness, thoroughness, and ability to deliver results under tight timelines.
Beyond their technical skills, Celia is a trusted advisor and a natural leader. She has optimized our print and fulfillment, professional services, and marketing procurement processes, driving measurable improvements in supplier performance, compliance, and cost efficiencies. Her impact on CCA has been undeniable, and any organization would be lucky to have them leading their procurement initiatives.
GARY HOLLORAN
garyfholloran@gmail.com
VP of Procurement