Name: Betty Yang
Position: Procurement Engineer
Started at Philips: 2010
I've been with Philips for around seven years now. My job is to enhance and manage supply chains, and ensure productivity while making processes as efficient and cost-effective as possible.
What we’ve managed to do is dramatically reduce the time it takes to get a product to market. We managed to reduce the lead time - the latency between the initiation and execution of a process – by around 40%, which is a fantastic accomplishment. Previously a project would have taken around 12 weeks, but we’ve managed to cut that down to seven.
The majority of the things we’ve done to increase productivity are around finding ways to carry out each element of a project in a way that is more time efficient. For example, one thing we’ve become really adept at is reading situations during the design process and then preparing what we can do ahead of the curve. Sometimes it’s possible to assess a project and anticipate what tasks will need to be completed further down the line, and that can save a lot of time in the long run.
One of the most rewarding elements is that Philips genuinely appreciates when people go the extra mile
Everything that I’ve achieved I have done with the help of a strong and supportive team. Speeding up processes is a tremendous example of teamwork, and demonstrates that by working together you can attain great results that really have the potential to improve Philips’ overall output.
One of the most rewarding aspects of making such huge efficiency gains is that Philips genuinely appreciates you going the extra mile. There’s a lot of freedom given to teams, and that leaves a lot of room for creativity and innovation; people want to repay that faith by finding new and exciting ways of getting things done.
Philips doesn’t want to hamper its employees; it’s a company that encourages invention and problem-solving, and that’s a great environment to be in.
I think what we’ve done here is a great example of Philips’ philosophy and culture in action
I think what my team and I are doing is a great example of Philips’ philosophy and culture in action. The team has taken ownership of the processes, and we’ve been allowed to take risks in a bid to try and work more efficiently. Philips is willing to give teams the opportunity to work in ways that will make operations smoother, but leadership teams are always there to offer support when needed.
Because I know that Philips’ leaders acknowledge the work I’ve done, and have faith in my capacity to hit challenging goals, I’ve started to look at other things I can do to improve procedures and techniques. There are always improvements to be made, and my team never stops looking for ways to make the work we do better.
Betty has been with Philips since 2010, and in that time has held three positions. Currently working as a Procurement Engineer Business Partner, she acquired the skills and knowledge required for her current role during time spent as a Procurement Engineer and, more recently, a Senior Procurement Engineer.
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