Meet Safa
"It's great to be involved in procurement at Action."
Safa Babaszadeh, Head of BuyingAbout Safa
Safa Babaszadeh worked in procurement and category management at a well-known wholesaler for 15 years. However, when the company decided to restructure, she realised she needed a new challenge and some time off to take stock of her goals. What did she most enjoy doing? And, more importantly, what did she want to do in the future?
Was there a moment when you thought: I want to continue in procurement?
"During my time off, I slowly realised that my passion really lies in procurement. Why should I go and do something else? One afternoon I walked into an Action store and, as usual, I was pleasantly surprised by all the amazing products at great prices. That was the moment I thought Action would be a good fit with my future plans and that I wanted to be part of their Buying team. Through a former colleague who had since gone on to work at Action, I could come for an interview at the headquarters. As soon as I walked into the building, I felt like we were a good match. That sounds crazy, I know. Yet during the discussions, it became clear that I could deepen and expand my passion for procurement at Action while taking on greater responsibility. That's exactly what I was looking for."
Has working at Action lived up your expectations?
"I started out as a buyer and moved up to Head of Buying in a few years. In this role, I am responsible for a range of product categories, and I have so much freedom that I feel like an entrepreneur within a large organisation. I also like the fact that I've built up good relationships with colleagues and found my rhythm in no time. I think this is what has surprised me the most, as I was at my previous employer for a long time and had to earn my stripes. Action proved to me that I could feel so at home in another company again."
"I was surprised that I could feel so at home in a company again."
What does procurement at Action involve?
"It's great to be involved in procurement at Action, because the turnover rate and demand for innovation are both very high. Few retailers can offer their customers so many new products every week. That requires a lot from you as a buyer. You need to be able to take action and make decisions quickly, and you're always on the lookout for commercial opportunities. What's more, new stores open in new countries every year. To name just one example, each country has different sizes for bedding. So we have to work out how we can approach things in the smartest way. All these dynamic ingredients make – and keep – the work challenging and fun."
How would you describe yourself as a manager?
"I like to set the bar high, both for myself and those around me. I put a lot of effort into team spirit, because anything is possible when you work together. It's important that we help each other, listen to each other and are open to advice and support, with respect and trust."
What gives you energy as Head of Buying?
"As Head of Buying, I regularly go on procurement trips. As an example, I recently went to China with a buyer. You have to think about what you want in advance and then look at samples and lots of new products on site, paying attention to quality, sustainability and packaging, among other things. You also have to negotiate the price. We also go on inspirational trips to countries where Action has stores on a regular basis to find out what's going on in the market. These sorts of trips give us a huge boost. You have few distractions and are purely involved in Action's core business: new products to surprise customers day in, day out. I could do this for years to come!"