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Veronique Barthel
Head of Procurement chez Wienerberger
Professional Background
Veronique Barthel is a seasoned procurement professional whose career spans over 15 years in the procurement and supply chain management sphere. Her primary role has been to create, structure, and professionalize the purchasing function within various organizations. As the current Director of Purchasing (Directeur Achat), Veronique has led substantial initiatives aimed at optimizing procurement strategies while ensuring simultaneous integration with other vital functions across the groups she has worked with.
In her capacity at Wienerberger AG, as the Head of Procurement France and Commodity Manager, Veronique has successfully implemented transformative processes such as Purchase to Pay and e-procurement within the SAP ecosystem across multiple European countries. This not only showcases her ability to manage complex projects but also underscores her leadership in spearheading digital transformation initiatives within procurement.
Her extensive experience has armed her with a keen ability to identify cost-saving opportunities across various portfolios, including energy, production, investment, and general expenses. By developing a competent team and instilling a culture of analytical and strategic thinking, she has achieved significant savings that have positively impacted the bottom line. Veronique’s strategic mindset is honed through numerous internal audits, market analyses, and supplier evaluations, which inform her approach to innovative procurement solutions.
Education and Achievements
Veronique Barthel possesses a solid educational foundation that further enhances her expertise in procurement. She attended the prestigious EM Strasbourg Business School, where she earned a Master’s degree (M2) in Purchasing Strategy with honors (Mention Bien), equipping her with advanced skills in strategic sourcing and supply chain management. Additionally, her earlier studies in Technico-Commercial, with a focus on mechanical engineering at Cluny, laid the groundwork for her technical understanding of the products she manages within procurement.
Notable Achievements
- Process Implementation: In her current role, Veronique has been pivotal in conducting successful implementations of e-procurement systems, which has streamlined purchasing processes, improved efficiency, and reduced operational costs.
- Cost Optimization: Throughout her career, Veronique has been instrumental in uncovering optimization avenues, leading to significant cost savings across various categories including energy, production materials, and investment costs. Her ability to negotiate and source efficiently has greatly benefitted her employers.
- Analytical Prowess: Her diligent work in carrying out market audits and supplier evaluations has bolstered her strong analytical skills. This cultural shift she promotes within her teams has paved the way for more effective procurement practices tailored to the dynamic market environment.
- Cross-Cultural Competency: Veronique’s past experience in sales and technical management allowed her to develop compelling negotiating skills. This proficiency has enabled her to effectively communicate and implement new practices across various cultural environments, fostering collaboration and understanding among diverse teams.
- Language Proficiency: Besides her strong technical skills, Veronique is multilingual, speaking both German and English fluently, which enhances her ability to interact and negotiate with international suppliers and stakeholders.
As she seeks new challenges and opportunities to contribute her extensive skills to modern businesses, Veronique is highly motivated to leverage her expertise in procurement to foster growth, efficiency, and innovation within a potential new employer's operations. The logical alignment of her career trajectory with her skills and expertise makes her a prime candidate for any organization aiming to enhance their procurement functions and drive significant cost efficiencies.
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