The ultimate goal for every procurement leader is roughly the same: the realisation of a world-class procurement function that works as a strategic business partner. However, although this is certainly the direction of travel for the evolving procurement function, delivering world-class value to an enterprise is not easy; it requires organisation, expertise, internal and external support, and genuine talent.
FrieslandCampina is one of the largest dairy companies in the world headquartered in Amersfoort, Netherlands; the result of a merger between Friesland Foods and Campina in 2008. FrieslandCampina provides consumers with dairy products, such as milk, yoghurt, condensed milk, dairy-based beverages, cheese, butter, quark, and cream. The dairy company supplies specific nutrition to specific consumer groups, such as children, the elderly, and sportspeople. Professional customers, such as bakers, pastry chefs, chocolate confectioners, chefs, and caterers can rely on FrieslandCampina for a broad product range, including creams, butters, desserts, and fillings. In addition, the company supplies high-quality ingredients to international food producers and pharmaceutical companies. Maximillian Tan is Director Business Procurement Asia at FrieslandCampina and leads the procurement function in creating value to support business activities of FrieslandCampina across operating companies in Asia.
Max leads the business procurement teams responsible for both direct and indirect procurement of “everything that you buy, especially from the local supplier base” located in the different markets covering the Southeast Asian countries of Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. He has been at the company for 12 years and has witnessed different stages of evolution to the procurement function during his tenure.
