MONTSE EMPEZ , CHIEF PURCHASING OFFICER AT APPLUS +, TELLS THE STORY OF BUILDING THE COMPANY ’ S PROCUREMENT DEPARTMENT FROM THE GROUND UP , AND OF THE DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION OF ITS SUPPLY CHAIN
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A decade ago , the role of a procurement department and its Chief Purchasing Officer ( if the role existed at all ) was often relegated to a monthly meeting of the accounting department in order to briefly discuss the cheapest possible way to acquire products and services . Today , the business community has “ moved on from the idea that procurement is just a cost cutting department . Now , it ’ s a department that adds value to the company and is capable of driving change inside the organisation ,” says Montse Empez , Chief Purchasing Officer at Applus +. Founded in 1996 and headquartered in Madrid , Applus + is one of the world ’ s leading testing , inspection and certification companies . It provides solutions for customers in multiple industries to ensure that their assets and products meet health and safety , quality and environmental standards and regulations . Applus + operates in more than 70 countries and employs 22,800 people .