Mathieu, age 30, Purchaser

"The role of a purchaser today is much more than simply achieving the best price"

You are a "Purchaser". What does your job involve?

I apply the purchasing policy as defined by the purchasing director. At the same time a co-ordinator, manager and negotiator, I am in charge of one or more product ranges which I have to source, study the market and monitor the technical side (for products and services bought) and the marketing (for trends in demand).

I assist with the preparation of the specifications for the products or services sought in conjunction with the other relevant departments. I also launch bids for tender, source and identify the suppliers and products or services and keep the list of these up to date. I negotiate the contracts and follow them through in accordance with the schedules to be met, constantly optimising the profitability of the purchases to meet our objectives quality, cost, deadlines and service. Finally, I act as an interface between the suppliers and our internal user departments.

These days a purchaser needs to be an expert. He or she brings their knowledge of the market to the internal user departments with regard to the methods and possibilities for sourcing the products and services in question. This need to negotiate with sub-contractors and to communicate internally with the decision makers means that purchasers have to be up to date with the technologies at issue. Having said this, it mainly involves marketing skills, with the sourcing of suppliers, negotiation and formalisation of the contractual elements always being key aspects.

The role of a purchaser today is much more than simply achieving the best price from sub-contractors. The productivity of a purchasing department depends on having reliable suppliers. The buyer becomes the guarantor for the product quality and service provided, for manufacturing and delivery deadlines and for the capacity of the supplier to be innovative. Failure on the part of a supplier to fulfil its orders will have far-reaching consequences. This means that the role of a purchaser takes on a true strategic value.

What are the attractions of this job and what qualities does it require?

It was the multi-disciplinary nature of the job, insofar as it combined my liking for figures and the maths involved in commerce and finance with the opportunity to deal with a great variety of contacts.
In terms of qualities, the ability to communicate, both orally and in the written form, being a good listener, methodical and well-organised, plus a pugnacious nature and determination are all essential. In addition, leadership skills and a team spirit are also as important.

What made you choose Aéroports de Paris?

As a major company in the airport sector, Aéroports de Paris offers career development opportunities in this area and diversity within the work itself. I am involved in areas of the airport business where I need to show creativity but I also have to deal with more traditional purchasing aspects (cleaning, etc.) which, given the size of turnover they generate, are significant issues for the company.

What was your integration into the company like?

My integration into a young and dynamic environment was rather easy. My superiors allowed me enough autonomy to develop the analytical tools needed to optimise the purchasing function.

You have been at Aéroports de Paris for 5 years. How do you see your future within the company?

I joined Aéroports de Paris in September 2000. The purchasing of contracts in order to subcontract handling to specialist companies (e.g. recycling service for baggage trolleys, runway support services, baggage handling, cleaning, etc.) may, in the future, enable me to put my experience to good use in other purchasing fields or to move to other activities, particularly in operations.

Tell us what your working environment is like (atmosphere, relations with managers, information etc.).

I work in a friendly environment where purchasers are not in competition with each other. Every one (other purchasers and managers) work completely as a team and we share our experiences, problems encountered and the solutions we used to resolve them.