1 Coworker, 1 Job: Cindy

My name is Cindy, and I joined éolane six years ago as a Purchasing Assistant. I worked closely with the category buyers, and my role involved inputting data into the ERP system. This initial position was very informative, and it allowed me to become proficient in using the ERP software.

I took an internal opportunity and moved to the procurement department. Then, about a year and a half ago, I was offered the position of Procurement Manager, which involved managing the team I had been working with. This transition was, in a way, easy as I already knew everyone, but the challenging part was stepping up in terms of responsibilities while having previously been at the same level as my colleagues. Ultimately, I trusted myself and embraced the new role.

It did require some adaptation. I underwent a one-year training program for team leadership at UIMM (Union of Metallurgy Industries and Trades). This training was offered to me as part of my onboarding process, and it proved to be beneficial as it helped me learn how to manage a team, make decisions more easily, and become more independent. Everyone made sure that this transition went smoothly.

No two days are ever the same for me, even though I have recurring tasks. For example, every Monday morning, I analyze the calculation of net requirements, which comes from the ERP system. I check for any urgent orders and also review the workload of each member of the procurement team. If I notice someone is overloaded, having previously held that position, I provide support to help them.

Additionally, I validate orders, monitor stock levels, prepare reports for clients regarding consignments, and manage my dashboards to communicate the most important indicators, objectives, and trends to my team. I handle procurement points on the projects and attend meetings with clients to address any issues and find solutions. I analyze the missing components for production orders with the scheduling team on a weekly basis to ensure reliable production launches.

My main focus is on managing urgent matters to avoid delays in production, so there is no routine. I have a wide range of tasks, and it's this diversity that interests me the most in this profession.

I work closely with the scheduling team, especially regarding missing components and production launches. In summary, I communicate with scheduling, who in turn communicates with the Sales Administration team. Of course, the ADV team may also request analysis from me to determine if production can be initiated.

I do not have direct communication with clients as the goal is to facilitate a single point of contact.

Today, I am fortunate to have a team with a very pleasant working atmosphere. We complement each other, and everyone is free to take initiatives to handle our different tasks, which is enjoyable. We work in an open space, alongside scheduling and Sales Administration, which promotes communication among colleagues. We all work together as a team.

In terms of management, communication, listening, and observation skills are essential. As for the procurement profession itself, I would say organization and rigor are key. Procurement is a strategic position for the company, requiring responsiveness.

One must enjoy working in a team and have good interpersonal skills to thrive in these roles. One should not be afraid of encountering potential difficulties and remain calm in order to handle them effectively.