UC Systemwide Procurement (SWP) welcomes Christine Davenport as Senior Category Sourcing Manager for Life Sciences as of February 20, 2024. Christine brings over 25 years of extensive experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, and serving the business needs of both public and private sector organizations.
Throughout her career, Christine has shown proficiency in sourcing, risk mitigation, negotiation, contract management, and supplier relationship management. Her proven management skills combined with her strong communication abilities make her a valuable addition to our team.
Christine holds certifications as a Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM) from the Institute for Supply Management, and a Certificate in Purchasing Management from DePaul University. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Marketing from North Central College in Naperville, Illinois.
Christine’s previous roles include Category Manager for Life Sciences & Research at UC Merced, where she developed and oversaw RFx events, negotiated and executed complex agreements, and ensured best value procurement. She also reduced risk through policy compliance, and maintained beneficial supplier relationships.
Prior to her tenure at UC Merced, Christine served as Procurement and Materials Manager for Livingston Community Health, where she sourced goods and services, implemented a procure-to-pay software system, managed inventory control, and oversaw logistics operations and other health system business needs for nine clinics in Livingston, California.
In her role as Senior Director of Business Services at Elgin Community College in Elgin, IL, Christine led the college's procurement team, managed budgets, and oversaw various business operations.
Christine also worked in the private sector, gaining valuable insights into procurement and materials management with Microplastics Inc., where she collaborated with major automotive industry procurement teams. But it was her volunteer work at KishHealth System Hospital and Hospice in northern Illinois that steered her toward mission-driven work and led her to employment in medical and higher education institutions.
Outside of work, Christine enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her family. Since moving to California four years ago, she has embraced the West Coast lifestyle but her hometown of Chicago claims a special place in her heart. She misses deep dish pizza and Italian beef and still cheers for her beloved Bears and Cubs teams.
SWP extends a warm welcome to Christine, and is eager to leverage her expertise and experience to advance our life sciences procurement initiatives.