Michael Van Keulen explores how Coupa is working to multiply margins for its customers through visibility , simplicity and powerful data
COUPA
Michael Van Keulen explores how Coupa is working to multiply margins for its customers through visibility , simplicity and powerful data
How would anyone respond to being described as a ’ rockstar ’ in their chosen industry ? In the case of Michael Van Keulen , Chief Procurement Officer at Coupa , it is with enormous humility and diplomacy .
“ This company has 2,500 + employees and I genuinely believe that we have got some of the best people in the world working for us ,” he says .
“ I happen to be one of the people that is very visible externally , but the 2,500 + people here actually allow me to do what I do every day .”
He is one of the most well-known faces and thought leaders within the industry and after joining Coupa at the start of the pandemic in 2020 , is helping drive the company into the next phase of its growth and high-performance journey .
Michael ’ s career path began in finance at Arthur Anderson during the 1990s , before moving into technology and then retail at brands like Footlocker , VF and Lululemon . It was during his cross-over into retail he realised the power and potential that effective procurement can have for the success of the wider business .
“ When I was asked to deploy eSourcing at Footlocker in Europe , I realised I could
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