KWS
“ We want to make purchasing as simple as possible and it should be as easy as doing online shopping at the weekend ”
— Peter Hagenow , Head of Strategic Procurement , KWS
116 have the budget then this can be easily done . This means that when it ’ s all approved and the item is delivered , we don ’ t need to look at the invoice anymore , we can automate the payment . This is why it ’ s important to have a centralised procurement process .” Over the past two decades , Hagenow believes that the job profile of the buyer has transformed as the world continues to embrace digitalisation at scale . “ Digitalisation is the keyword ,” he explains . “ ERP systems have been occupying us for some time now , the operative buyer has become less and less a mere typist who somehow transports the order into the ERP , and is increasingly developing into a Content & RPA Manager . At the same time , strategic purchasers are less and less required to approach the supplier base with a club on their back , but rather to seek strategic approaches and partnerships .”
With over 160 years of experience in the industry , Hagenow acknowledges the added challenge of convincing every employee to transform operations and the day-to-day process . “ Our company has been around for such a long time that it makes it more challenging to change the process ,” he explains . “ We constantly get asked : why change something that works ? So , this took a little time to get everyone onboard .
DECEMBER 2020