Saint-Gobain revolutionizes purchasing with digitalization and process automation

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The purchasing area has evolved significantly in recent years, driven by digitalization and the need for strategic positioning in organizations.

At Saint-Gobain, the digital transformation of processes , using the ME platform, is revolutionizing purchasing management, resulting in greater efficiency, transparency and strategic alignment with the company's sustainability and innovation objectives.

To talk about the journey of digitalizing purchasing processes, challenges faced and how the company is designing the future of the sector, we invited Rafael Arakaki, senior purchasing manager at Saint-Gobain, for an exclusive talk at the ME B2B Summit 2024.

Evolution of Saint-Gobain's purchasing department
The purchasing function at Saint-Gobain has evolved overseas chinese in worldwide data over the decades. In the 1970s, purchasing was purely operational, focused on order fulfillment.

Over the years, the sector began to become more strategic, focusing on negotiations and supplier management.

From the 2000s onwards, the purchasing area gained autonomy and began to be recognized as an area that adds value to the company.

Today, Saint-Gobain considers purchasing as a strategic partner, with a vice-president dedicated exclusively to this function.

Commitment to sustainability
Globally, the construction industry is responsible for 40% of CO2 emissions, and Saint-Gobain, present in more than 70 countries, reaffirms its strong commitment to sustainability and innovation, with the aim of mitigating environmental impacts.

In this context, technology plays a strategic role in responsible practices in the sector, by facilitating the selection of more sustainable suppliers, strengthening transparency and compliance , and increasing value generation throughout the supply chain.

Automation and digitalization of processes
Digitizing processes has been one of the drivers of efficiency in Saint-Gobain's purchasing department. Through the use of the ME platform , the company has freed up buyers to work on strategies that generate greater value and impact on the business.

One example of this is the automation of contracts, which automatically generates due dates and alerts. This change has brought efficiency and freed buyers to work on activities that generate value.

Training and qualification of professionals
One of the key factors in Saint-Gobain's purchasing success has been its investment in training and capacity building. The company has implemented a global purchasing methodology program based on market practices and available tools.

Training is not only aimed at buyers, but also at requesters. It is essential that everyone involved in the process understands the importance of digital tools, such as the ME platform , and how they facilitate work and increase efficiency.

Development of market solutions
Saint-Gobain has also invested in market intelligence solutions to provide its buyers with important information. This includes data on market trends and financial ratios, enabling buyers to make informed decisions.