Theresa Witi
Procurement Professional
Port Moresby
Summary
Experienced, and results-oriented strategic management professional with over 10 years of repeated success in identifying opportunities to improve productivity, increase efficiency, and reduce overhead. Strong business acumen with extensive experience working within international organizations and ensuring compliance with regulating statutes. Dynamic leader adept at recruiting dynamic teams and leveraging individual strengths to advance organizational goals.
Procurement professional with proven track record of optimizing supply chain operations and negotiating favorable contracts. Known for collaborative approach and delivering results in dynamic environments. Recognized for strong analytical skills and effective stakeholder communication, consistently meeting organizational goals.
Overview
35
35
years of professional experience
5
5
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work History
Procurement Advisor
Theresa Elirau Witi
- Management and facilitation of Procurement (domestic & international) activities across a wide range of categories and for all internal departments
- Ensure regional and global category manager understand business requirements relevant to the country and that procurement strategies are fit for purpose for the country
- Ensure the business has timely supply of goods and materials it requires
- Demonstrate value for money for the company in the country when money is being spent with suppliers
- Adherence with (and application of) Puma Energy’s Procurement processes ensuring all necessary controls, approvals and reporting is carried out in the country
- Key Achievements: Successfully coordinated 20 OPEX & CAPEX projects including the project backlogs (since 2022) within the first 6 months of employment
- Secured effective cost-savings through implementation of efficient and effective procurement strategies
- Secured savings of $1.7M USD within the first 6 months of employment (received a pay rise of 2% and a
- Bonus payment of 10K PGK)
- Promote strategic procurement-best-practice with internal business units and external suppliers/vendors; which significantly increased integration and collaboration
- Appointed by the Country GM to be part of the Country Procurement Review Committee (this committee deliberates, review and approve major CAPEX & OPEX projects)
- Identified by senior management (GM & MD) and nominated as an ambassador of ‘Honesty’ as part of
- Puma Global Learning and Development Framework (This is in recognition of my professional conduct, integrity and promotion of good governance
- The virtue of ‘Honesty’ is one of Puma Energy’s core business values)
- Procurement Manager)
- Operations
- Procurement-to-Pay process Review/validation of business units’ purchase requisitions; Facilitation of purchase orders (PO); Facilitate foreclosure & archiving of purchase orders; Collate End of Month (EOM) Open PO Accrual Reports; Facilitate Pre-Tender Bid Meetings; Lead Procurement Evaluation Team in negotiations with suppliers; Facilitate amendment of purchase orders due cost/scope of works variations (threshold limit at 5%); Chair Weekly (Wednesdays) CAPEX Procurement Projects Meetings with Engineering department
- Procurement: RFQ/RFP Facilitate competitive bidding for quotations or proposals Actively engage with technical specialists (engineering) to source suppliers with relevant expertise; Negotiate contracts in accordance with the scope of works or the technical specifications; Monitor supplier performance against the technical criteria and/or the KPIs
- Contract Administration & Management Facilitate service agreements/contracts for endorsement
- Negotiate, terms & conditions – award contracts; Review/analyze service agreements – raise scope of service for potential suppliers; Create and consistently manage contract management registry (warranty clause, terms & conditions, price, and payment terms); Contract administration &management
- Advisory/Guidance (Internal & External Stakeholders) Provide timely & cost-effective procurement advise to internal business units and line managers; Review & interpret business units’ service agreements; Bi-annual visits to Puma sites across the country for integration & collaboration purposes
- Primarily to understand their procurement challenges/provide remedial measures to mitigate financial risk; Capacity building/knowledge transfer to Puma staff (s) in procurement-related function; Sit in (on invitation) with the Transport & Logistics department in their Quarterly Review Meetings withmajor transporting companies (IPI, EWT, Native Industries & Trisa)
- Provide advice on the contractual aspects of the business; Member of the high-level Country Procurement Review Committee
- O Major CAPEX & OPEX Projects: Provide procurement advise to decision-makers (Delegation-of-
- Authority/DOA) consisting of country GM, CFO, Business Units Functional Managers
- Procurement Lead (APAC region) & Engineering department (Downstream: Napa Napa Refinery and Southern & Northern Maintenance division); o Minor CAPEX & OPEX Projects
- Provide procurement advise to GM and the CFO
- Represent Puma PNG in Marketing Events hosted by the company’s critical suppliers; Meet with Puma critical suppliers’ CEOs, GMs & Business Development Managers in contract negotiations (long-term service agreements)
- Procurement: Systems & process Process improvement: Introduce requirements for Bank Guarantee Letter; Technical Bid Clarification and
- Pre-Award Meetings (for purposes of Fairness & Transparency); Policy updates: Identify and recommend inclusion of a Liability clause on all construction works’ agreements/contracts; Contribute to improve tools: Create guidance on supplier sourcing/analysis; Create Record Keeping formats/soft & hard files (ensure uniformity & ease of access to information)., Coordinate PPAP’s procurement unit including 30 sub-project partnerships
- Charged with planning, implementation, monitoring, and execution of all inventory
- Facilitate periodic updates of the master procurement plan in liaison with the finance team to establish equilibrium in usage and purchasing of goods, works & services
- Conduct local & international desktop market research to determine the supply market
- Supervised procurement officers with the delegation of tasks to up-skill and empower project capacity
- Forecast future demand in liaison with the project manager and submission of quarterly reports to the World Bank
- Key Accomplishments: Successfully coordinated the PPAP procurement implementation from 2012 to 2019 in alignment with the
- World Bank and GoPNG procurement guidelines; Promote best practice procurement advice to various government officials, project management unit, and the implementing agency – CICL which significantly increased employee collaboration & integration; Supervised, and mentored procurement officers who contributed to achieving procurement targets; Facilitate recruitment of 15 qualified consultants who made notable contributions to achieving project goals; Developed partnership procurement strategy and review matrix
- Serves as a benchmark for procurement audit;
- Theresa Elirau Witi
- Page 4 of 9 Secured significant cost savings through the implementation of efficient and effective procurement strategies; Succeeded in identifying over PGK1M in funds subject to reimbursement from sub-project partners; Facilitated write-ups of 8 technical-evaluation reports (works) to an approximate value of PGK 21M within 2 weeks to secure 50% in cost-savings (Tenders No: CSTB 3188, CSTB 3189, CSTB 3675, CSTB 3676, CSTB CSTB 3678, CSTB 3679 & CSTB 3680); Accelerated the procurement of a state-of-the-art Network Server with revenue-generating features (value- added) for the implementing agency - CICL (PGK200,000)
- Increased stakeholder engagement &communication through mentoring & coaching across sub-project partnerships
- Successfully facilitated 100% post-procurement verification with sub-project partnerships after 2 years of project implementation; Enhanced stakeholders’ capacity through participatory workshops and tailored training
- AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (Reporting to the Project Manager) Implement, monitor & update PMU procurement plan including 30 sub-partnership projects
- Monitor, and evaluate 30 sub-project partners’ procurement plans and activities
- Prepare Sub-project Partnership’s Procurement Plan
- Contribute to review/comments/ periodic updates on the project’s procurement manual; Leadership & Management – coordinate, supervise and coach procurement officers; Promote best practice procurement advice to various government officials, PMU, project stakeholders, and CICL which significantly increased employee collaboration & integration
- Process international and domestic procurement (especially goods & services); Coordinate logistics of international procurement to completion of the procurement process; Improve supplier quality through periodic systems gap analysis to identify discrepancies
- Conduct post review & 100% procurement verification of sub-project partnerships; Maintain PR & business relations with industry stakeholders; Facilitate purchase & procurement planning of goods, services & works; Participate in contract negotiations (consulting & non-consulting services); Contract Management: Goods, Services & Works contract deliverables
- Keeping track of contract extensions, modifications, and cost overruns; Negotiate Contract Award, and Service Agreements; Monitor and report on complaints received, and undertake remedial action on each complaint (s); Develop and maintain procurement-detailed filing system (hard & soft copy files)
- Systematically monitor procurement records
- Procurement of Goods Initiate desktop research in determining standards for specification development for goods
- Research potential suppliers + and manage supplier relationships
- Raise ITQ, RFQ, and/or RFP to potential suppliers
- Review and evaluate submissions from suppliers + value analysis and price negotiations
- Facilitate evaluation matrix with a recommendation to project manager for review & deliberation
- Raise purchase agreements to responsive bidders/suppliers (including terms & conditions of supply)
- Ensure appropriate insurance cover (CIP/EXW) and applicable law applied (laws of PNG &
- UNCITRAL); Coordinate logistics and customs clearance of international procurement
- Verify and inspect goods upon delivery + process PO to accounts payable
- Update PMU master procurement plan (goods segment)
- Update filing system (hard & soft copy filing)
- Procurement of Works (Rural/Feeder Road Rehabilitation) Work in partnership with GoPNG senior officers (Provincial Dept
- Of Works & Provincial
- Administrations) in the preliminary to detail technical evaluation of works’ bid/proposals; Facilitate Works Procurement in liaison with National Procurement Commission (former CSTB) through the National Competitive Bidding process; Liaise with National Procurement Commission (NPC) for tender notice registration;
- Theresa Elirau Witi
- Page 5 of 9 Raise works tender notice in alignment with GoPNG & WB procurement guidelines
- Collate/draft Works Bidding Document; Facilitate pre-tender bid meetings with potential bidders
- Carry out preliminary to detail bid evaluation ((financial analysis & arithmetical checks) on contractors’ bid/proposals –submitted; Review bidding documents, including the bill of quantities (itemized materials & labour costing)
- Facilitate bid evaluation report to technical evaluation committee (TEC) for technical review
- Collaborate with government officials, NPC, National Dept
- Of Works & Office of the State Solicitors – Awarding of contracts to the bidder as per TEC's recommendation; Initiate works agreement with clearly defined scope, general & special provisions of a potential contract per WB's procurement guidelines
- Update PMU master procurement plan (works segment)
- Update filing system (hard & soft copy filing)
- Execute Contract Management in collaboration with the project engineer (civil works)
- Procurement of Services (Consulting & Non-consulting Services) Developed terms of reference for consulting services (international & national consultants); Facilitate consultants’ contract negotiation and remuneration packages; Initiate GPN through local media & World Bank website; Sort and raise preliminary evaluation matrix on Expression of Interest (EOI)/applications with recommendation for Project Manager (PM) & Evaluation Committee’s review; Chair and conduct interviews, preparation of candidates' evaluation reports, with recommendations to
- PM; Draw up service contracts, negotiate – award contract to the recommended applicant
- Initiate performance appraisal write-ups for contractual staff & consultants for contract/service extension including remuneration packages in alignment with the PNG CPI index
- Workflow through to project manager for his review and endorsement
- Update PMU master procurement plan (service segment)
- Update filing system (hard & soft copy filing)
- PPAP Sub-Project Partnerships Monitor, and evaluate 30 sub-project partners’ procurement plans and activities
- Prepare the sub-project partnership's procurement plan per the grant allocation
- Set, managed, and reconciled partnerships’ procurement plans, including cost overruns
- Deliver sound advice and procurement best practices to project partnerships; Facilitate 100% procurement verification/audit on sub-projects – submission of analysis report for release of tranches
- Process sub-project partnerships’ quarterly procurement reports to PM & WB
- Conduct procurement training with partnerships and provides continuous support through coaching
- Generate bulk procurement (Goods) on behalf of all partnerships
- Update partnership procurement plan
- Update filling system (hard & soft copy filing)
- Vendor Management Collated & maintained vendor listing; Maintained procurement records (goods & services), product delivery quality & performance, and inventories
- Compile data for monthly reporting; Monitor suppliers’ performance (quality & delivery); Check invoice, verify & examine the condition of goods procured – process invoice to accounts payable.
Management & Leadership Intern
COFFEE INDUSTRY CORPORATION LTD
- Collaborate with various procurement Category Managers across the finance division
- Participated and contributed to stakeholder & corporate finance meetings, evaluated supplier presentations (major works-procurement), initiated preliminary bid evaluation (bid/proposals), and review consultancy service & works contracts for senior management's endorsement
- Analyze and execute procurement strategies of goods, works & services, in consultation with ICT, medical & engineering specialists
- This exposure has provided me with hands-on experience in corporate planning and categorized (specialized) procurement in alignment with the organization's corporate strategy and its Return on
- Investment (ROI)
- Key Accomplishment:
- Successfully negotiated with Faculty of Health and Medical Science (School of Oral Health) the donation of 22 dental-chair sets to PNG
- The World Bank-funded Project - Productive Partnerships in Agriculture Project (PPAP) Coffee Component, Goroka.
Administration Manager
- Charged with supervisory responsibilities
- Lead, manage, evaluate, and monitor performance of general service personnel across varied administrative section of UNICEF PNG Country Office
- This includes but not limited to office
- Theresa Elirau Witi
- Page 6 of 9 administration, leadership, security management, debtor management, transport & logistics, international protocols (diplomatic correspondence & receiving of international missions & consultants); inventory & asset (building, ICT & vehicle fleet) management, archive & store management, and travel desk
- Facilitate weekly, monthly & quarterly reports of confidential nature for senior management pursuant and deliberations
- Played an integral role in recruitment, hiring, and evaluation of potential administrative personnel
- Key Accomplishments: Reconciled a vendor's five-year delinquent account within just one month after hire
- Escalated employee engagement at 50% in 6 months after the initial employment phase
- Streamlined vendor/supplier relations, as a result, obtained a 25% discount on purchases and service costs
- Cut travel costs by 45%, by bringing on board an inexpensive but experienced travel agent/agency
- Empowered admin staffs through delegation of tasks which inevitably created a consensus of ownership resulting in increased performance and productivity
- Mentored two entry-level graduates who earned mid-management promotions
- Selected as one of PNG Office recipients of the 2011 Development Management Program (12 months course)
- Chief of Operations
Office Administration
Elirau Witi
- Supervise general office administration, ground maintenance, security, transport, and travel section; Plan, coordinate, control, and implement administrative requirements; Facilitate correspondence, reports, evaluations & justifications on general admin tasks; Coordinate all recruitment and evaluation processes of job candidates (General Services); Provide technical review assessments on service proposals & contracts
- Leadership/People Management: Train, coach & mentor general service staff members; Facilitate capacity building, monitor & evaluate staff performance; Process staff appraisals (job performance); Facilitate recommendations for senior management’s deliberations on employment contracts
- Security Management: Appointed by Country Representative as warden for national staff members; Represent the organization in monthly meetings conducted by the United Nations Department of Security; Prepare weekly & monthly security compliance reports (mandatory) to the UNDP Security Department; Compile & facilitate security meeting & briefs to senior management & staff; Develop an emergency response plan (communication tree, resource mobilization, off-site office & HR requirements, etc.)
- Travel Desk Management: Coordinate travel desk assistants: Ensure efficient & effective service delivery; Review all travel requisitions – ensure adequate logistics & operational support are accorded; Process monthly travel authority report to Ops Manager
- Inventory / Asset Management: Collaborate with building management on ground maintenance & office properties; Facilitate physical asset verification of non-expandable property stores & IT Equipment; Procure goods and services within the guidelines of UNICEF
- Debtor Management: Manage invoice tracking system; Establish and maintain supplier/vendor relationships; Prepare office budget applicable to staff and servicing costs
- Archive and Store Management: Manage & monitor stationary store records; Execute files & documents for archive purposes; Facilitate physical verification and labeling of tangible office equipment; Secretary to the Property Survey Board (PSB) - facilitate Asset Management meetings
- Theresa
Inflight Service Manager
CIVIC SERVICES
- Charged with Cabin Crew Resource Management (Emergency Safety Standards)
- Supervision of international in-flight services
- Facilitate theory and practical training of international flight attendants
- Key Accomplishments: Improved online/inflight operational and safety process through clearly defined and tailored training programs; Trained over 5-line crew into international fleet operations; Foster leadership-follower influence
- Set examples through personal conduct based on sound leadership strategies
- DFAT/The Australian Government
Association’s President & Public Officer
CIVIC SERVICES, Mt Hagen Charter
06.2022 - Current
Coordinator
Soul Sisters Ministry, Young Women Christian Association
07.2018 - Current
SOCIAL SERVICES
PNG Foursquare Gospel Church
02.2013 - Current
- Guest Speaker on Social related issues
- Theresa Elirau Witi
- Page 8 of 9
PNG Country Representative
CIVIL SERVICES
12.2022 - 07.2024
- Cross Sector Development Partnerships Initiative (XSPI)/Australian NGO
Procurement Coordinator
PUMA ENERGY PNG LIMITED
12.2002 - 06.2023
SOCIAL SERVICES
PNG, Pana Amb Wo-Ya Women’s Group Association Inc
02.2023 - 05.2023
Technical Advisor
Yangen Real estate
07.2021 - 05.2023
Business Management Consultant
Theresa Elirau Witi, GEA MANAGEMENT CONSULTING
12.2020 - 05.2023
HEALTH SERVICES
Bentley Health Services
12.2020 - 05.2023
Business Advisor
07.2021 - 03.2023
- The area of my consultancy service covers a broad range of general business and project management, procurement, project planning/proposal, agriculture-related marketing, and development work
- Engaged with Ukini 2 Tribe, Mul/Baiyer district, WHP
- Consultancy Service: Land Awareness policy
- Stakeholder participatory meetings with youths, women groups, and local clan leaders with reference to the customary land (Incorporated land Group/ILG) with the PNG Department of Lands & Physical
- Planning.
Business Development Advisor
THE UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
08.2025 - 09.2020
Kiosk Assistant, SOCIAL SERVICES
PNG Foursquare Gospel Church
01.2020 - 03.2020
Senior Procurement Officer/National Consultant
11.2012 - 06.2019
Board Member, EDUCATION SERVICES
Goroka International School
03.2015 - 09.2017
Deputy Chairperson
School Board of Governors, EDUCATION SERVICES, Goroka International School
02.2015 - 11.2016
Deputy Chairperson
Committee
02.2015 - 11.2016
Senior Administrative Assistant
UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S EMERGENCY FUND
02.2009 - 10.2012
Senior Economy
AIR NIUGINI LTD
06.1990 - 02.2009
Education
Master of Business Administration - Oil & Gas
Curtin University
01.2019 - 01.2020
Management Development Programme - undefined
Open University
01.2011 - 01.2012
Bachelor of Business Management - Public Policy Management
University of Papua New Guinea
01.2004 - 01.2007
Skills
- Business Administration and Management
- Strategic Procurement
- Project Management
- Contract Management
- Operations & Administration
- Cross-functional Leadership
- Resource Management
- Marketing & Business Planning
- Risk Assessment
- Kraljic Supply Model
- Contract Administration & Management
- Reporting Writing
- Budget Management
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Contract Negotiation Skills
- Vendor & Supplier Relationship
- Emotional Intelligence
- Adaptation /Cultural Sensitiveness
- Critical Thinking Skills
- Problem-Solving Skills
- Excellent PR & Communication Skills
- Excellent Organizational Skills
- Continuous Learner
Certification
10/12/24, Theresa Elirau Witi
Shortcourses
- Certificate of Participation, Strategic Thinking Workshop, University of South Australia, 2023
- Certificate in Public Procurement, Governance Global Practice, World Bank, 2019 - 2021
- Certificate in Contract Management, Governance Global Practice, World Bank, 2019 - 2021
- Online course: Client e-Manual on STEP, Governance Global Practice, World Bank, 2021 - Current
- Online course: Public Procurement Framework 2016, Governance Global Practice, World Bank, 2020 - 2021
- Certificate in Leadership & Mentoring Program, Australia Awards Women's Leadership Initiative, 2019 - 2020
- Short courses (Procurement of Works, Goods, & Services, and STEP training), World Bank, From 2013 to 2018
- Staff Mentoring course facilitated by UNICEF PNG, 06/06/11 to 06/11/11
Awards
- Australian Awards Women's Leadership Initiative 2020 Cohort
- Australian Award Alumni PNG, Member since 2020
- Curtin University Alumni, Member since 2020
- Australian Award Scholarship Recipient, 2019
Timeline
Business Development Advisor
THE UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
08.2025 - 09.2020
SOCIAL SERVICES
PNG, Pana Amb Wo-Ya Women’s Group Association Inc
02.2023 - 05.2023
PNG Country Representative
CIVIL SERVICES
12.2022 - 07.2024
Association’s President & Public Officer
CIVIC SERVICES, Mt Hagen Charter
06.2022 - Current
Technical Advisor
Yangen Real estate
07.2021 - 05.2023
Business Advisor
07.2021 - 03.2023
Business Management Consultant
Theresa Elirau Witi, GEA MANAGEMENT CONSULTING
12.2020 - 05.2023
HEALTH SERVICES
Bentley Health Services
12.2020 - 05.2023
Kiosk Assistant, SOCIAL SERVICES
PNG Foursquare Gospel Church
01.2020 - 03.2020
Master of Business Administration - Oil & Gas
Curtin University
01.2019 - 01.2020
Coordinator
Soul Sisters Ministry, Young Women Christian Association
07.2018 - Current
Board Member, EDUCATION SERVICES
Goroka International School
03.2015 - 09.2017
Deputy Chairperson
School Board of Governors, EDUCATION SERVICES, Goroka International School
02.2015 - 11.2016
Deputy Chairperson
Committee
02.2015 - 11.2016
SOCIAL SERVICES
PNG Foursquare Gospel Church
02.2013 - Current
Senior Procurement Officer/National Consultant
11.2012 - 06.2019
Management Development Programme - undefined
Open University
01.2011 - 01.2012
Senior Administrative Assistant
UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S EMERGENCY FUND
02.2009 - 10.2012
Bachelor of Business Management - Public Policy Management
University of Papua New Guinea
01.2004 - 01.2007
Procurement Coordinator
PUMA ENERGY PNG LIMITED
12.2002 - 06.2023
Senior Economy
AIR NIUGINI LTD
06.1990 - 02.2009
Procurement Advisor
Theresa Elirau Witi
Management & Leadership Intern
COFFEE INDUSTRY CORPORATION LTD
Administration Manager
Office Administration
Elirau Witi
Inflight Service Manager
CIVIC SERVICES
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