SMBC GROUP
across the region to a strategic value-driven procurement model , leveraging digital transformation while providing improved governance and oversight , and hiring professional procurement experts to guide and influence business purchasing decisions .
“ In building out the centralised procurement organisation , I first focused on establishing a team to support day-to-day procurement operations , contract management , and invoice processing , aligning closely with our implementation of Coupa ,” says Wadsworth . “ More recently , I ’ ve established our strategic sourcing function staffed with senior-level category leads across our largest spend categories , such as professional services , IT , corporate services , real estate , HR services , travel , and marketing .”
“ As Peter Drucker , a leading management consultant and renowned author once said , ‘ you can ’ t manage what you can ’ t measure ’”
FRANK WADSWORTH MANAGING DIRECTOR AND
CHIEF PROCUREMENT OFFICER , SMBC AMERICAS DIVISION
SMBC ’ s category leads have several key priorities on the horizon this year , according to Wadsworth : “ First and foremost is to assess the supplier footprint and historical spend for their respective categories , establishing savings targets together with an action plan to realise those savings .”
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