Group Leader 

I wear two hats in Procurement, Group Leader for Indirect and Services (I&S) and Category Leader (Marine Bulk and Packaging) for Logistics and Terminaling (L&T). I work to ensure that Infineum gets the best value from our vendor/supplier relationships.

I get to interact with a large base of suppliers from both I&S and L&T categories, extracting relevant information from them and “internalising” the information. I have also learnt a lot from the colleagues that I work closely with, as most of them are experts in their fields. I derive the most satisfaction from getting a “good deal” for our internal client – a contract that serves its purpose at the right cost.

I joined the company as a Customer Service Advisor in 2000 and have moved to several positions within the supply organisation, including Supply Planning, Stock Transfer Order Leader, and Logistics Team leader. Looking back, I had the opportunity to change positions every 18 months in the early part of my career thanks to our internal recruiting system.

My previous experience in Supply Chain has prepared me well for my current position in L&T procurement, a position I have held for close to four years.  When I first joined procurement, it had just undergone a major transformation to become a global team. This structure calls for frequent communication among team members and allows for more instant exchange of information, especially regarding suppliers with global presence.    

The company is people-focused. There is a family friendly policy in place to help colleagues maintain work and life balance. When I first joined the company, I was surprised to find the number of colleagues who had worked here for more than 10 years. We have good, experienced colleagues here; I have worked with good leaders who are inspiring and willing to teach.

Since joining the company, I have learnt to be more safety and health conscious. This is not surprising given the emphasis on safety in our workplace, and the numerous health and safety talks we have.

There is never a dull moment at Infineum. The company is forever changing. With each change, we emerged stronger and are more ready to face the tough challenges ahead.