Blog
Latest news about AUTO1 Group
Get to know Viktoriia Shevchuk, Head of Procurement Europe
12 July 2024
Last year, we took a significant step forward by establishing a dedicated Procurement department. This strategic move aims to make long-term, value-added decisions that benefit our company, providing an approach to reducing costs, reducing risk in the supply chain, and gaining access to more innovation from suppliers. Let’s hear what Viktoriia Shevchuk, our Head of Procurement Europe, can share with us about this!
Can you tell us about your professional background?
I am originally from Ukraine and moved to Germany almost three years ago. With over 12 years of experience in different procurement roles across various industries - FMCG, Agriculture, and now Automotive - I bring a wealth of knowledge to AUTO1 Group. I started my career as a purchasing specialist at a company for beer production materials and services which was owned by Heineken. My next step took me to Jacobs Douwe Egberts, one of the EU leaders in the coffee industry, managing direct procurement Opex for 15 countries in the EMEA region. I then built and led the procurement department of a tea production company, before taking on global Opex responsibilities in seed production. I have been part of AUTO1 Group for 8 months now and am excited about my journey here.
How does the Procurement department support AUTO1 Group's strategy and goals?
The establishment of the Procurement department last year was a crucial step toward achieving our strategy of profitable growth. The primary goal of the department is to manage the acquisition of goods, services or works effectively and efficiently. This involves maximizing value, minimizing risks, and ensuring compliance with regulations and policies. Our focus includes Opex control, managing costs, and improving processes like Contract Management, Supplier Management, and Stakeholder Management. The overall goal is to build effective collaboration across departments and countries within AUTO1 Group.
What are the benefits of having a dedicated department for our HQ procurement activities?
Having a dedicated department allows for centralized control and management of all procurement activities. This ensures consistency in purchasing decisions, streamlines processes, and reduces the risk of duplication or unnecessary spending across different departments. Moreover, we expect to enhance operational efficiency, reduce costs, mitigate risks, and support strategic objectives, ultimately contributing to the overall success and the company strategy of profitable growth.
What type of team are you building and what skills are you looking for in these roles?
We are building a Strategic Procurement Team based in HQ Berlin and implementing a category management approach. This provides greater visibility into spending patterns, supplier performance, and market trends within specific categories, enabling us to make data-driven decisions, track key performance indicators, and identify areas for improvement. Additionally, centralized category management processes facilitate greater control over procurement activities, ensuring compliance with policies, regulations, and quality standards.
We are looking for talents who possess strong analytical and communication skills to join the team. Additionally, we value prior experience in procurement and category management, along with a solid understanding of compliance and regulatory requirements.
Look out for more Get-To-Knows from our AUTO1 Group colleagues in various markets, each with unique stories and experiences to tell. To start your story, find the list of open positions on our careers page. We welcome applicants of all genders, ethnicities, religions, and backgrounds to apply.