Department Digest - Supplier Compliance

This past month, we had the opportunity to speak with Monsi Wooten, manager of the Supplier Compliance unit within Procurement. Learn more about his team, what they’re working on, and what’s coming next. 

Tell us about your team.

My team is the Supplier Compliance Unit in Accounts Payable. We have five full-time employees and one who splits her time with the team when needed.

Currently, the Compliance team consists of:

• Myself with 18 years at the university and three years in the Supplier Compliance unit
• Brenna Dering:16 years at Yale
• Shelby Witherspoon: one year and six months at Yale
• James Kim: one year and six months at Yale
• Susan Madsen: one year and six months at Yale
• Laurie Manganiello: one year and six months at Yale
• Chery Royka: 47 years at Yale and three years assisting Supplier Compliance when needed.

What is the primary focus of your team’s work? 

We ensure new suppliers are correctly added to our supplier database, screen them for accuracy, and make appropriate updates, such as changes of payments through direct deposits or international wires.  

What have been your and your team’s biggest accomplishments recently? 

My biggest accomplishment was pulling together a new team during one of the busiest times of the year, simultaneously decreasing what would be a normal learning curve while promoting a positive work environment, which is a top Finance goal. We also identified pain points of the community, which resulted in the creation of a Wire Reference Tool to assist the community by providing proper documentation for international wire payments. 

The team’s accomplishments have been the display of OUTSTANDING teamwork while facing new objectives, giving constant feedback, giving creative ideas to improve processes, and the intentional focus in assisting in creating a positive workspace.

What projects are you looking forward to? 

We look forward to exploring new technologies that would streamline and simplify processes for the Yale community.

One example of this is joining an ACH network through what is called Bank Mode to assist in converting more suppliers to direct deposits. That way, we save money for the University by printing fewer checks.

Is there anything else you want to share? 

I can’t express enough how proud I am of my team. Even though most members have only been in the unit for a year and a half, I have witnessed exceptional teamwork, effective communication, top-notch problem-solving skills, pain point recognition through attention to detail, and positive attitudes. This team can face any mountain.