This month SmartProcurement profiles Yogan Naidu, from Woolworths.
Full name: Yogan Naidu
Position: Head of Procurement
Your organisation’s procurement expenditure: A lot!
Who does P&SM report to: Group Finance Director
Private sector or Public sector: Private
Core business activity of the enterprise: Retail
Number of people in your P & SM organisation: 12
Management motto: “Surround yourself with the best people you can find, delegate authority and don’t interfere as long as the policy you’ve decided upon is being carried out.
Personal motto: “I can and I will”
Membership of professional bodies: CIPS
What is your vision for P&SM: To be recognised as “somebody” that has made a difference to the people of this country by creating jobs and improving the lives of people less fortunate – all by creatively executing my job as a procurement professional
Personal best achievement: Represented South Africa in Volleyball, at World Student games, Olympic qualifiers, All Africa Games, and World Youth Games
Most important commodities: All are important
The person that has had the biggest influence on your life: My dad
The person that has had the biggest influence on your career: There are a few – Shiraz Sarang, Sascha Bender and Hanck van Laar
Person you would most like to meet: Ayrton Senna
What do you like most about your job: I have the ability to change people’s lives
Is there anything you dislike about your job: None – I’m living the dream
Businessperson who has impressed you most: Elon Musk
Favourite quote: “There is no passion to be found playing small – in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living” – Nelson Mandela
Your favourite South African organisation: Bidvest
Your favourite global organisation: Google
Your philosophy about life: If you believe very strongly in something, stand up and fight for it
Favourite reading: Stories of real life (Long Walk to Freedom)
Favourite music: RnB
Favourite sport: Golf
Favourite website: www.supersport.co.za
Hobbies: F1, Golf, Football
Car: BMW
Children: Two girls (Leyah and Bronwyn)
