Sap Ariba
Melania Chaverri S
Procurement Professional
Panama / Chile
Summary
Seasoned procurement professional with two decades of experience driving supply chain transformations for major global firms such as Maersk and Walmart. Committed to strategic leadership that fosters sustainable value creation and operational efficiency. Acknowledged for contributions to women's advancement in business and recognized by Forbes as one of the '50 Powerful Women in Central America.' Skilled in overcoming complex challenges through innovative procurement strategies and technology integration.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
3
3
Language
Work History
Regional Head of Procurement for Logistics and Services – Latin America
AP Moller Maersk
12.2022 - Current
- During this period, I have been responsible for the Procurement Division for Maersk’s Logistics and Services in 16 countries across Latin America where Maersk operates, excluding Mexico. Reporting directly to the Global Head of Procurement L&S in Copenhagen, Denmark.
- Managing 74 staff members, an annual operational budget of $600 million, and average annual investments of $200 million, the main responsibility is to define the strategic sourcing model for the LatAm region, restructuring the department to support the company's strategy of becoming a Logistics Integrator. This new model, which Maersk is rolling out globally, aims to expand its scope beyond the shipping business. Her responsibilities included setting up three new regional management areas (CAC, WCSA, ECSA) and a team of regional Category Managers to achieve economies of scale, secure capacity, and significantly reduce costs.
- Among the main achievements year to date include:
- Complete Redefinition of the Procurement Operational Model: Established “regional specialists” by category (e.g., Equipment and Automation, Security, Facility Management, External Staff) alongside Procurement teams in Central America and the Caribbean, South America’s East Coast, and West Coast.
- Cost Reductions in Contract Logistics Operations: Achieved savings between 4-14% in total operational expenses for Contract Logistics over the past 1.5 years. Additionally, reduced First Mile Transportation costs by 3%, which represent 80% of the variable cost in Maersk's transport operations, despite a 10% increase in transaction volumes for this category in the region.
- Strategic Alignment and Renegotiation in Fixed Asset Categories: Secured savings of 20-25% in Equipment and Automation categories, establishing regional agreements with global suppliers, including Toyota, Crown, Jungheinrich, and Mecalux.
- Centralized Procure-to-Pay Processes: Migrated Procure-to-Pay processes for the West Coast area (Chile, Peru, and Argentina) to the Global Services Center in Mexico, streamlining administrative processes related to Purchase Orders and Payments.
- Property Procurement Management: Restructured the category responsible for real estate procurement to manage properties for integrated customer solutions in Contract Logistics. Consolidated contracts and returned non-profitable properties.
- Improved Supplier Payment Terms: Extended payment terms for suppliers to 60 days in specific countries, improving working capital.
- Major Real Estate Projects in the Past Year: Led initiatives including the construction of a 17,500m² fruit processing plant in Olmos, Peru; cold storage facilities in San Antonio and Puerto Montt; and several logistics centers across Latin America, such as 44,000m² in Cundinamarca, Colombia; 14,000m² in Funza, Colombia; 3,500m² in Panama; 19,400m² in Cajamar, Brazil; 24,900m² in Quilicura, Chile; and 8,400m² in Lurín, Peru.
Head of Procurement
SMU Holding
11.2014 - 11.2022
- For eight years, I was responsible for defining and implementing the Procurement strategy for Indirects (Services and Materials), Technology, Insurance, and Assets for Unimarc, Mayorista 10, Alvi, and OkMarket during their financial transformation process.
- The efforts focused on two main areas: (i) controlling operational costs and procurement processes for Indirect categories to align with the strategic plan that strengthened the company's finances, leading to its IPO in 2017 and subsequent capital increases; (ii) optimizing and digitizing procurement processes with a focus on the 2020-2022 Strategic Plan, which prioritized organic growth, efficiency, and productivity.
- Key achievements include:
- Transitioned tactical sourcing to category-based negotiation, leading a team of 69 responsible for Indirect Categories, Services, IT, Marketing, Assets, and Insurance.
- Managed the insurance claims process, including the recovery of losses from the October 2019 vandalism, resulting in a payout of CLP 53.291 billion to SMU.
- Renegotiated and consolidated contracts with IBM, reducing a $28 million contract by 8%, and led technological upgrades with SAP S4Hana, Deloitte, and the acquisition of LatAm’s first robotic Micro Fulfillment Center for eGrocery Fulfillment (Knapp).
- Achieved consistent cost reductions (5-20%) in Facility Management categories through specification adjustments and redefinition.
- Implemented SAP Ariba suite, transforming the procurement process through standardization and automation, improving supplier management, traceability, confidentiality, and negotiation transparency.
- Established a Certification Process for contractors and temporary service providers to ensure compliance with labor and social security obligations for all recurrent companies operating on SMU premises.
Procurement Manager – Indirect Categories
Cencosud
05.2012 - 12.2014
- As Procurement Manager, she transitioned the procurement structure from tactical buyers to strategic buyers, shifting from decentralized to centralized purchasing, achieving an 8% savings in the category. She reported directly to the Materials and Services Head during this period.
- Key contributions include:
- Developed the import process for indirect materials and uniforms from Asia.
- Led the acquisition process for a sourcing software solution to replace the platform used by Carrefour Colombia at the time of its acquisition, which continues to be used by Cencosud (SAP Ariba).
Senior Planner, South America
Walmart Global Food Sourcing
01.2010 - 01.2011
- I began my career in retail at Walmart Global Procurement in Costa Rica, managing direct imports for Walmart worldwide. In 2004 I was relocated to Chile to establish a new South American office focusing on food sourcing.
- Key achievements include:
- Negotiated direct import programs for fresh fruit (grapes, bananas, pineapples), grocery and coffee (from Brazil and Colombia) with an annual budget of $300 million.
- Developed Walmart's first Private Label Imported Coffee Program for Sam’s Club, partnering with Key suppliers to develop and incorporate Fair Trade and Rainforest Alliance certifications.
- Reduced imported fruit costs by 25% through direct sourcing models with producers.
Procurement Manager
Walmart Global Food Sourcing
01.2006 - 01.2010
Food and Floral Merchandiser
Walmart Global Food Sourcing
01.2002 - 01.2006
Education
Management Acceleration Program - UCLA MAP
UCLA Anderson School of Management
01.2022
Master of Business Administration - Marketing
Universidad Interamericana de Costa Rica
01.2003
Bachelor of Business Administration - Finance
Universidad Interamericana de Costa Rica
01.1999
Skills
Strategic insight Results-driven approach Leadership capabilities
Accomplishments
- PROCUREMENT LEADERS , Americas Procurement Leader Award 2019 -Finalist
- Forbes Central America - 2025 Top 50 Powerful Women
Affiliations
WOOMUp - Women Mentoring Programs
Software
Keelvar
Coupa
Timeline
Regional Head of Procurement for Logistics and Services – Latin America
AP Moller Maersk
12.2022 - Current
Head of Procurement
SMU Holding
11.2014 - 11.2022
Procurement Manager – Indirect Categories
Cencosud
05.2012 - 12.2014
Senior Planner, South America
Walmart Global Food Sourcing
01.2010 - 01.2011
Procurement Manager
Walmart Global Food Sourcing
01.2006 - 01.2010
Food and Floral Merchandiser
Walmart Global Food Sourcing
01.2002 - 01.2006
Management Acceleration Program - UCLA MAP
UCLA Anderson School of Management
Master of Business Administration - Marketing
Universidad Interamericana de Costa Rica
Bachelor of Business Administration - Finance
Universidad Interamericana de Costa Rica