Sara, what fascinates you about purchasing?

For me, working in purchasing means getting to know different companies, building relationships, helping to save money and gaining benefits through negotiation skills. And even after years in the field, I am still constantly learning to improve my skills and techniques.

Why did you decide to work for Xella?

After my job interviews in 2021, I had two opportunities. But in the end, I decided to work for Xella. They had faith in me and gave me time and opportunity for learning.
I have never regretted it. Because even though I am based in the local Italian market, I have been able to maintain my English practice and my interaction with other countries. I have always been interested in maintaining relationships with foreign people, foreign countries, because I really love languages and cultures in general.

What did you do before?

I have always been passionate about purchasing. I started my career with an airport furniture manufacturer, where I stayed for 10 years - it was my dream job at that time. I travelled a lot and got to know a lot of different people and cultures. But it was a small, family-owned company. So I really did the 360-degree work! Later I went to the chemical industry, where I specialized in purchasing.

What was your start at Xella like?

It was challenging because my predecessor, the former purchasing manager, had left the company six months earlier and my colleague had been off sick for a long time. For the first few months, I was a one-woman show, trying to cover as much ground as possible and get in touch with all the stakeholders and their needs.
From the beginning, I felt like part of a family. I received a lot of support from my colleagues here in Italy, our CFO and from the German headquarters. All this help made me feel like I was part of something bigger.

What are you currently working on?

My current task is to structure and organize my team. We still have a lot of work and organization to do. We are always working under time constraints - there are a lot of projects going on where we cannot afford any delay in production.
What helps me a lot is the exchange with colleagues from other countries. The Purchasing Manager's Meeting, is a great opportunity to exchange with the other local purchasing manager. Getting inspiration how to solve challenges from these colleagues is great. The exchange can bring simple ideas but also proven solutions to light up your brain and understand how to move forward.

You are also part of the ESG committee in Xella Italia. What does that mean to you?

ESG is a topic that is with me every day. Our suppliers play a key role, and we are constantly looking for ESG compliant products and partners. It's a long journey, and it's not just about one thing like choosing one supplier over another.  
There are a lot of projects underway – e.g. the zero to landfill.
I'm very happy to be part of the ESG team to share information and data from each company and also from the projects that are underway and try to really make a difference in this area.

What do you do in your spare time?

Maybe I will get back into Pilates if there is time in the future, but right now I try to enjoy every free minute with my little boy. It is probably the story of women who want to have a career and be a good mom at the same time. But even during and after pregnancy last year, I received a lot of support from the company. Unfortunately, this is not very common, especially in Italy. I never dreamed that I would be able to juggle a child and a career and feel good about it. A lot of people around me are supportive, but the open-mindedness of my colleagues and my boss is what makes the difference.