Jennifer Olzinger

Chief Procurement Officer

Professional Overview

Jennifer Olzinger is a seasoned procurement and supply chain professional with extensive experience in the public sector. As the Chief Procurement Officer for the City of Pittsburgh, she oversees all procurement operations and ensures the efficient acquisition of goods and services to support the city's critical functions and initiatives.

Experience Summary

Current Role

As the Chief Procurement Officer for the City of Pittsburgh, Jennifer is responsible for developing and implementing procurement strategies, processes, and policies that drive cost-savings, process improvements, and compliance. She leads a team of procurement specialists and manages a diverse portfolio of vendor relationships and contracts, valued at over $500 million annually. Under her leadership, the City of Pittsburgh's procurement function has achieved significant operational efficiencies and realized substantial cost reductions through strategic sourcing and contract negotiations.

Career Progression

Prior to her current role, Jennifer served as the Assistant Director/Procurement Manager for the City of Pittsburgh, where she played a key role in modernizing the city's procurement practices and introducing data-driven decision-making. She has also held procurement management positions at EDMC, a leading higher education institution, where she streamlined sourcing operations and implemented innovative supplier diversity initiatives.

Earlier in her career, Jennifer gained valuable experience in event coordination and executive support roles at Cupid.com and Yanni Partners, respectively, which have contributed to her well-rounded understanding of business operations and diverse stakeholder management.

Academic Background

Jennifer holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Pittsburgh, where she graduated with Honors.

Areas of Expertise

Strategic procurement and supply chain management

Vendor relationship management and contract negotiation

Process improvement and operational efficiency

Compliance and risk mitigation

Data analysis and performance metrics

Supplier diversity and sustainability initiatives

Professional Impact

Under Jennifer's leadership, the City of Pittsburgh's procurement function has achieved significant cost savings, with an annual reduction of over $15 million in operational expenses. She has also spearheaded the implementation of a comprehensive supplier diversity program, increasing the city's engagement with minority-owned and women-owned businesses by 30%.

Conclusion

With her extensive experience in procurement and supply chain management, coupled with her demonstrated track record of driving operational excellence and delivering tangible results, Jennifer Olzinger is a valuable asset to the City of Pittsburgh. Her commitment to innovation, data-driven decision-making, and strategic sourcing solutions positions her as a respected leader in the public sector procurement field.