Helping employees be successful in International Paper's global sourcing organization is a responsibility that Larry H. Simmons takes very seriously. Simmons, manager of sourcing initiatives and development, oversees the organization's comprehensive set of programs targeting the recruiting, training and development of supply management professionals.
The emphasis on training in the sourcing organization took hold about five years ago when the Memphis, Tennessee-based company became more globally focused. International Paper is a global uncoated paper and packaging company with primary markets and manufacturing operations in the United States, Europe, Latin America and Asia.
"As we began to position International Paper as global, we had to ensure that our supply chain was able to support the enterprise globally," Simmons explains.
A strategic sourcing team was formed with the goal of designing a world-class global procurement organization, he recalls, and it became clear that such an organization needs to use top-notch sourcing processes, technologies and be continually involved in education and training.
Simmons stepped in to develop a training program for the sourcing professionals at International Paper and also set out to improve the sourcing organization's internship and associates programs. Today, the internship and associates programs are "the foundations for building and sustaining a strong sourcing organization," Simmons says. "They are the key to our success and our retention of good sourcing professionals."
Source: Inside Supply Management, http://www.ism.ws