Meet Andrzej Ziemba, Sourcing Manager at Mondelēz International

Friday, November 22, 2024

Tell us about your career journey so far at Mondelēz International.

I've been with Mondelēz International for over 13 years, including: 4 years in Poland and over 9 years in MDLZ UK. During this time, I have had the opportunity to work in various roles within the procurement function including maintenance repair and operations, facilities management, Capex, logistic procurement, paper (corrugated and carton), rigid materials (plastic, metal, glass) and finally - sourcing of prefilled displays and managing a team of 4 amazing area buyers. I've had the chance to work on some exciting projects, such as implementing a new supplier performance management system and leading a cross-functional team in a cost-saving project that resulted in significant savings for the company.

What do you enjoy most about working for Mondelēz International?

I've always enjoyed the variety of opportunities that are available through working in such a multinational organization. Look at me - I've managed so many different scopes (business & geographical) alongside the opportunity to live in another country, gaining invaluable experience and an understanding of different cultures. Mondelēz International also values innovation and encourages creativity, which has allowed me to contribute fresh ideas and be a part of exciting projects. The supportive and collaborative work environment here has been a huge factor in my enjoyment of working for Mondelēz International.

Can you share a memorable experience from your time at Mondelēz International?

My memorable experience would be recently attending The Festival of Learning in Madrid - an amazing event for the European procurement organization. It was an opportunity to join several business discussions about procurement topics and share opinions with other colleagues, sitting face to face (as opposed to virtual) and a unique opportunity to meet colleagues I've worked (or used to work) alongside but never met before in person. I also had the chance to network with company experts and learn about the latest trends and best practices in procurement. It was a great opportunity to gain new insights and knowledge that I could apply to my current role. Overall, it was a valuable experience that allowed me to connect with colleagues and peers in the industry and further develop my skills and expertise in procurement.

What has been the most exciting project you have been part of?

It's quite difficult for me to pick only one project from all the ones I've been leading or been involved in. Probably I would pick launching one of the products on completely new packaging that we had to produce on the line not suitable for this kind of material. It was amazing collaboration with amazing people representing procurement, planning, research & development, business development, manufacturing, product change management, marketing and supplier finalized with success. Every time I see this product on the shelf in market it brings back these memories. The challenges we faced and the teamwork that went into overcoming them really made it a memorable and exciting project for me. It was a great learning experience and I'm proud of the result.

What are the top tips you would give someone who is looking for a career in procurement?

Maybe not tips but happy to share my own learnings:

• Understand procurement role in organization - procurement should feed business needs. Therefore, procurement strategy should follow the business one.
• Always see working with other people as opportunity - I can't count how much I've learnt discussing with people from R&D, marketing, manufacturing, suppliers. This knowledge has helped me to develop my knowledge about processes and understanding the business.
• Always prioritize building strong relationships with suppliers and stakeholders. Trust and collaboration are key in procurement.
• Never stop learning and seeking opportunities for professional development. The procurement field is dynamic and constantly changing, so it's important to adapt and grow with it. Stay updated with market trends and industry best practices. Networking and attending industry events can help you stay ahead of the curve.
• Lastly - once you're in procurement you can develop in many business areas. Scopes can different but general way of handling procurement would be similar.

What's your favourite product that Mondelēz International produces?

Gosh, this is the most difficult question! Maybe not product but brand - I'd pick Philadelphia for amazing taste and many variations. And also, because I spend a lot of time discussing about its packaging.