Don Linn, director of purchasing, Vanguard Car Rental Group
"What keeps me awake at night is the need to continually generate savings and its impact on our supplier selection."
By David Hannon -- Purchasing, 6/14/2007 2:00:00 AM
“What keeps me awake at night is the need to continually generate savings and its impact on our supplier selection.”
PLAYER: Don Linn, director of purchasing, Vanguard Car Rental Group
BACKGROUND: Early in his career, Linn worked in general management and human resources while also operating a business of his own. Today, he is responsible for management, negotiation, and drafting of large national account agreements for Vanguard's various spend areas.
ON PURCHASING: "I had a classic epiphany. My career wasn't meeting my expectations, so I thought about what I liked and didn't like and soon recognized that my strengths were in project management, contracts, teaming, research, financial analysis and negotiations. All of which pointed me to a purchasing career."
VENDOR VS. SUPPLIER: "One of my very wise bosses once said that you buy hotdogs from vendors but that you partner with suppliers. I think the proper mindset is not that suppliers are necessary evils but that suppliers are the experts to be relied upon for an organization's success."
A list of the past Purchasing Players
03/29/2007Car-rental rates to remain flat
11/19/2008
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