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Supply Management, Mar 5, 2009

Mike Attwood, purchasing director, European Independent Purchasing Company

Having Spent the past 30 years purchasing food, Mike Attwood knows his way around the industry.

The buying chief at the European Independent Purchasing Company (EIPC), which manages procurement for the franchisees of sandwich chain Subway, learnt his trade during 29 years at Sainsbury's.

Highlights from his time at the supermarket included helping the company save £1 billion in operational efficiencies, and leading the fresh produce buying team. He also won a retail industry award for completely revamping the way fruit and vegetables were purchased and sold.

His decision to join EIPC in June last year was influenced by his two teenage daughters who are keen ambassadors of Subway sandwiches. He manages purchasing for 2,600 Subway stores in 27 European countries and brings a very competitive attitude to his work.

"I like achieving things. I'm not as outwardly competitive as I used to be, but I don't like losing. You just never give up; if you know you've got the right answer, you just keep going."

He enjoys the variety of his role and being able to travel within the network of European Subway branches. He says the retailer's expansion efforts are a great asset to procurement.

'TIaving the scale of growth we've got is enormously exciting. It gives you leverage: suppliers need business, we've got growing volume to offer and any supplier would bite your hand off for that So people want to talk to us."

Helping Subway's shop managers understand food procurement has also been hugely stimulating, he says.

"These people need a lot of support and help. There's a recession on, food costs have been difficult and we've got to bring all our experience to make their lives as cost-effective as possible."

He argues if buyers want to be successful, they have to build a range of experience and ensure they enjoy going to work.

"Do something you're interested in as a career, but get a good breadth of knowledge."