Christopher Salis: Driving Enterprise Growth and SaaS Innovation

My professional journey began with a strong interest in how technology can solve complex business challenges at a scale. Early in my career, I focused on procurement, sourcing, and operational efficiency, building a disciplined foundation that would later support executive leadership roles.

After earning my bachelor’s degree from Purdue University, I joined Adecco Employment Services. There, I advanced through roles including IT Procurement Manager, Senior IT Buyer, and Strategic Sourcing Manager.

Christopher Salis managed global IT procurement programs supporting hundreds of branch locations, led supplier selection and contract negotiations, and helped transform enterprise procurement processes. This experience strengthened my ability to manage large-scale operations while maintaining strategic focus.

I later expanded my expertise at Gap Inc. and eBay, where I worked in strategic sourcing and operational excellence. These roles sharpened my understanding of enterprise systems, cost optimization, and performance improvement across global organizations.

Transitioning into Executive Leadership

A pivotal moment in my career came in 2006 when I joined Business Objects. My responsibilities quickly evolved beyond procurement into strategic and executive leadership positions. I served as Senior Director of Global Go to Market Process and Product Management and later as Executive Director and Chief of Staff to the Office of the CEO.

In these roles, I supported executive leadership priorities, managed ecosystem and partner operations, and contributed to corporate development and M and A initiatives. I ran global forecasts for a billion-dollar division and led C-level sales engagement following the merger with SAP. This experience placed me at the center of enterprise technology strategy and prepared me for the next major chapter of my career.

Leadership at SAP and SaaS Transformation

Joining SAP in 2010 was a defining milestone. I served as Vice President and Head of Global Sales for Line of Business Solutions for Procurement. I later advanced to Global Vice President and General Manager, and ultimately to Global Vice President and Head of Portfolio for Go to Market.

As Christopher Salis, my focus at SAP was centered on commercialization, SaaS transformation, and accelerating innovation. During this period, I helped reverse declining revenue trends and achieved record-breaking quotas.

I drove significant SaaS revenue growth by introducing new B2B and B2C SaaS business models and reducing time to revenue for innovations from 12 months to 90 days. I also repositioned zero-revenue products and scaled them into multimillion-dollar contributors.

I commercialized SAP’s digital business unit and built frameworks that aligned product strategy with go-to-market execution. My approach emphasized measurable performance, disciplined execution, and customer value creation.

Strategic Impact and Portfolio Expansion

One of the most important strategic developments during my tenure was contributing to the foundation that led to SAP’s acquisition of Ariba. After the acquisition, I assumed leadership responsibilities that supported the expansion of SaaS revenue to represent the majority of the business portfolio.

My work consistently focused on aligning innovation with commercial outcomes. By strengthening portfolio management, refining sales engagement models, and integrating Agile methodologies, I helped create scalable systems that support long-term enterprise growth. These initiatives further established Christopher Salis as a leader in procurement strategy and enterprise SaaS transformation.

Advisory Work and Startup Strategy

After my time at SAP, I transitioned into advisory and consulting roles. As Managing Partner at Catapuult Consulting, I worked with enterprises on spend management and procurement strategy while also advising startups on scaling effectively.

As Christopher Salis, I bring enterprise discipline to early-stage ventures, helping founders move from concept to sustainable annual recurring revenue. My advisory approach focuses on refining business models, strengthening pricing strategies, and aligning product development with market demand.

I guide startups through structured go-to-market execution while minimizing operational inefficiencies. This combination of strategic clarity and operational precision has helped numerous ventures build strong commercial foundations.

Philanthropy and Social Responsibility

In 2022, I co-founded Secure Our Schools Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing school safety through technology. My work has centered on active threat prevention, emergency response coordination, and comprehensive incident management solutions.

The Ongoing Mission of Christopher Salis

Today, Christopher Salis is recognized as a consultant, strategist, and startup advisor based in San Mateo, California. With over a decade of experience in SAP consultancy, SaaS commercialization, and enterprise transformation, I continue to operate at the intersection of technology and business growth.

My mission remains consistent. I focus on building scalable systems, driving measurable revenue outcomes, and aligning innovation with disciplined execution. Whether leading enterprise portfolios or advising emerging companies, I am committed to delivering strategic clarity and sustainable impact.