Meet Tiila
“I grew from trainee to buyer in just a few years.”
Tiila Torsti, Buyer DecoAbout Tiila
It was during an exchange programme in South Korea that Tiila Torsti suddenly realised she wouldn’t be returning to Finland. Not long after, partly due to love, she ended up in the Netherlands, which qualifies as a centrally located and internationally oriented country for her. She found a career challenge in Action’s Buying Traineeship and developed from trainee to buyer in less than five years.
What appealed to you so much about procurement as a profession?
When I was a student, I worked at a lingerie shop in Helsinki. That’s where my interest in procurement began. I loved helping customers find the best items, but also observing exactly what they bought and how you could influence that in certain ways. I studied business administration with a focus on marketing and sales. So, no background in procurement. That’s why Action’s Buying Traineeship was so appealing to me; it’s about learning by doing.
What does Action’s Buying Traineeship involve?
The traineeship lasts two years, during which you work as an assistant buyer under supervision. You get to know the company, take on simple, daily tasks and join supply meetings, for example. But you also do so-called deep dives into product categories, doing your own research. For example, I did that for paint. What works and what doesn’t? Are we missing any products? And what kind of changes do we want to implement?
During the traineeship, you work closely with an experienced buyer who is there to help you and answer all your questions. But it is certainly also important to show initiative yourself. We learn best by finding things out for ourselves, as far as I am concerned
“I have developed a good sense of what works. And sometimes a product isn’t a hit. It happens.”
You are now no longer a trainee, but a buyer. How has your role changed?
I’ve been given a lot more responsibilities. As a buyer, I am ultimately responsible for two product groups within Decoration: photo frames and textile products for the home such as cushion covers, curtains and rugs. I look at trends, figures and the competition. But I also manage the assistant buyers and maintain contact with our suppliers. Building good relationships with them is essential; suppliers are experts on their own subject and can tell you a lot about what sells.
The real buying of products takes place during the procurement seasons: between October and December for the winter of the following year, and May to July for the summer. It’s best to buy it all at once, as you will have a good clear picture of everything you see and want. In the past few years, I have developed a good sense of what works. And sometimes a product isn’t a hit. It happens. If I’m unsure, I ask several colleagues for their opinions. I also regularly peek into people’s homes to see what the Dutch are buying for their interiors, ha ha.
You come from Finland and presumably weren’t familiar with Action before. What surprised you about Action?
The pace of work here is high and the growth exceptionally fast; I don’t think you’ll find that at any other Dutch company. When I started there were 1,500 stores, now there are 2,500. The volumes we work with are also huge. Recently we had a promotion with a bedspread for €9.95. We sold 12,000 in a day. In one day! The purchasing team isn’t even really that big, and at those moments I suddenly realise, wow, together we’re capable of this.