Could you tell a bit about yourself and your role at Svea Solar?

I'm the Team Lead Category Manager Services, which is a very long title to say I'm managing a team of procurement managers that work with all the things we buy from our services suppliers. That means we negotiate, source, strategize, analyse and manage the supplier portfolio for several categories like our subcontractors, IT software, hardware, marketing, facility, logistics, transport, consultants and staffing. Phew!

I started by myself and am now very happy to now be leading a team to manage all those categories. The Procurement department is *very* involved with the entire business and well-known from the management team

I'm French and I moved Stockholm three years ago - I've always wanted to move back to the Nordics I loved Stockholm after visiting several times in the past, it was the perfect opportunity. Now, I'm here to stay! I studied a Master's in Strategic Procurement, lived in 3 different countries outside Sweden before settling here.

What is the best thing about your work at Svea Solar?

It's a whole array of very different things we have to do, it goes fast - and I love that! Procurement changes constantly, Svea changes constantly so there is no shortages of new topics to tackle. There isn't ever a day where we do the same thing, don't learn something, and we constantly try to innovate in every single aspect of work. Since we do a lot of things - we also get a lot of attention, especially from the management that supports us. That makes it even more rewarding when we want to share achievements.

What do most people outside of your team get wrong about your work?

They think we only care about driving cost savings! Don't get me wrong - we love driving results and savings, but we also build long-term relationships with our stakeholders, work with Sustainability, ESG compliance and performance of our suppliers, long-term strategy, process improvements, ... And since we have so many categories, it is exponentially more that we do than just negotiating discounts and signing contracts.

What sets Svea Solar apart from other companies in your opinion?

Without a doubt, the pace. I have worked in 4 different scale-ups/start-ups and I have not seen one go this fast - and I am used to high speeds! Svea is a place where you create your own opportunities, more so than others, and it truly sets the company apart.

What do you do when you're not working? 

I love a good cocktail and dare say I'm good at making them! I also have more than 200+ restaurant pins on a Google Maps Saved Locations list - and intend to try every single one of them. I'm a true foodie and will try any place.

What advice would you give someone who considers working in the same role as you do?

Your background does not matter - the more diversity, the better! You can bring a lot more to the table than some other companies would let you think. Procurement teams really benefit from new perspectives, ways of working and fresh ideas. If you love change, then Procurement + Scale-up is the right combo for you 😀!