Emmanuel de Fournas

Senior Procurement Manager at Amazon

Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

About

Global professional with 20+ years of experience in e-commerce, consumer goods, and well-being industries, combining expertise in procurement, supply chain, customer service, and multicultural leadership. At Amazon, I built and managed procurement hub in Europe and Costa Rica, launched a global chatbot, and designed a Procurement leadership program impacting 140+ managers. As an entrepreneur, I co-founded ventures, developed 100+ products, and built international B2B/B2C networks. Trilingual (FR/EN/ES), I bring strategic vision, innovation, and a people-first approach to deliver lasting business impact.

Experience

  • Amazon ()
    • Senior Manager Program Management
      Oct 2023 - Present · 2 yrs 10 mos

      Leadership Development Program Management: - Designed and rolled out a global Leadership Development program in partnership with the University of Michigan (Ross Faculty), impacting over 140 leaders (L6-L8). - Organized and facilitated two Leadership Development Summits, engaging 140+ leaders across multiple cohorts. - Developed tailored learning experiences via platforms like Rise and Knet, enhancing employee skill development. Team Leadership: - Managed a team of two program managers, overseeing recruitment, talent development, and operational excellence. - Championed the development of high-performing teams as a certified Bar Raiser, hiring manager, and interviewer. Productivity & Learning Facilitation: - Certified facilitator of FranklinCovey’s "5 Choices" program, driving improvements in time management and prioritization across GPO teams. - Supported the design and execution of training sessions to optimize team productivity and efficiency.

    • Procurement Senior Manager
      Jan 2022 - Oct 2023 · 1 yr 10 mos

      Global Expansion and Deployment of Global Procurement Shared Services hub: - Led the successful establishment of the new Amazon GPSS hub in San José, Costa Rica, supervising a team of 38 employees across Vendor Management, Catalog, and Tail Spend Sourcing for North and Latin America: > Directed a cross-functional deployment team of 7 coordinators and 28 trainers, achieving seamless onboarding, operational readiness for the new Costa Rica hub, and successful implementation of key processes within strict deadlines. > Spearheaded the implementation of critical procurement processes at the hub in 2023, achieving significant operational outcomes: Catalog Process: Processed over 9,000 catalog requests, streamlining procurement workflows. Tail Spend Sourcing: Handled 24,000 requests, optimizing purchasing efficiency. Vendor Management: Managed 12,000 requests, ensuring vendor compliance and streamlined operations. Stakeholder Collaboration and Operational Oversight: - Partnered with local HR, IT, and logistics teams to support hiring, onboarding, payroll, transportation, and team engagement, ensuring a smooth ramp-up of the Costa Rica hub. - Reported key milestones and operational insights directly to GPSS and GPO (Global Procurement Organization) leadership. Process Optimization and Talent Development: - Championed the onboarding and training of all new hires, driving operational efficiency and readiness. - Acted as a mentor and leader, fostering a culture of collaboration and high performance across geographically distributed teams. Leadership of Procurement Helpdesk Operations: - Led a team of 6 Helpdesk specialists, delivering seamless support for procurement-related inquiries across the EU. - Spearheaded the development and deployment of a global Amazon Procurement Chatbot, achieving 89% accuracy in responses and reducing operational workload by the equivalent of 9.4 FTE, optimizing team efficiency

    • Manager of Procurement
      Jul 2019 - Dec 2021 · 2 yrs 6 mos

      Team Leadership and Procurement Management: - Led a team of 11 buyers supporting procurement operations across seven key markets: UK, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, and Turkey. - Acted as the primary point of contact for all procurement activities and escalations within these regions. Innovation and Automation: - 2021: Designed and launched the Procurement Assisted Learning (PAL) Chatbot for Amazon EU, MENA, and India, addressing over 530 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and significantly reducing manual workload for the Amazon ops and procurement teams across these regions. Process Leadership and Operational Excellence: - Owned the PR/PO process, ensuring compliance and efficiency in procurement workflows. - Managed the Helpdesk and Vendor Onboarding processes, streamlining operations and improving service delivery for internal stakeholders. - Monitored process adherence, driving continuous improvement initiatives to enhance procurement performance. Hiring, Training and Development: - Certified Amazon Bar Raiser, facilitating hundreds of hiring panels for Manager and Senior Manager roles across Amazon companies. - 2020: Founded and led the Learning and Development Team for Global Procurement Shared Services, successfully onboarding and training more than 70 new hires within three years. - Hired over 100 procurement analysts, specialists, and managers between 2019 and 2022, contributing to Amazon's Procurement talent pipeline and operational growth. Employee Engagement and Team Culture: - 2019-2022: Launched and directed the Procurement Fun Committee, fostering a positive and inclusive team culture through innovative engagement activities.

  • Category Manager at Chilindo
    Sep 2017 - Jan 2019 · 1 yr 5 mos

    Category Leadership: - Managed and led the Home and Garden product category for the South East Asian market, achieving consistent sales growth and customer engagement. - Supervised and developed a team of 2 buyers based in Mainland China, fostering a high-performing team environment. Sourcing and Procurement: - Oversaw end-to-end sourcing of Home and Garden products from Mainland China, negotiating favorable terms with suppliers to ensure competitive pricing and high-quality standards. - Conducted supplier evaluations and maintained strong relationships with vendors to optimize product availability and supply chain efficiency. E-commerce Operations: - Created and managed online listings for Home and Garden products, ensuring accurate descriptions, compelling content, and alignment with market trends. - Collaborated closely with marketing and operations teams to improve product visibility and sales performance. Achievements: - Successfully launched over 500 SKUs (Stock Keeping Units) in the Home and Garden category during tenure. - Streamlined sourcing processes, reducing lead times by 15% and improving supplier responsiveness.

  • Co-founder - CEO at Bebio Organics Ltd
    Sep 2013 - Apr 2017 · 3 yrs 8 mos

    Entrepreneurship and Business Development: - Co-founded a start-up specializing in the distribution of well-being products (essential oils, blended teas, aroma diffusers, and organic cosmetics) sourced from France, China, Switzerland, and Germany. - Established Bebio Organics Ltd in Thailand, developing both B2B and B2C distribution channels across South East Asia, with a flagship store launched in Bangkok. - Expanded international presence by negotiating distribution framework agreements with local partners in the USA, Japan, Korea, China, Taiwan, and Thailand. Strategic Planning and Marketing Execution: - Defined the company’s marketing strategy and roadmap, customizing action plans for each target market. - Implemented tailored Marketing-Mix and Trade Marketing strategies for multichannel distribution, enhancing brand visibility and sales performance. - Successfully managed online sales channels, including Amazon and Lazada, driving revenue growth through e-commerce platforms. Operations and Supply Chain Management: - Oversaw purchasing and procurement processes to ensure optimal balance between cost and quality. - Ensured seamless internal and external supply chains for products and materials to meet customer demands. - Fostered staff engagement to reduce turnover and implement innovative internal problem-solving approaches. Key Achievements: - Grew Bebio Organics into a recognized player in the wellness market in South East Asia within three years. - Negotiated partnerships with distributors across six international markets, securing sustainable growth. - Opened and successfully operated a flagship retail store in Bangkok, creating a direct connection with customers.

  • Co-founder of Maneo (Product development, Purchasing and Trading company) at INNOBIZ
    Mar 2005 - Aug 2013 · 8 yrs 6 mos

    Co-founded Maneo Co. Ltd, the purchasing and project management branch of INNOBIZ, specializing in developing, manufacturing, and delivering innovative products in well-being, decoration, and consumer electronics. Key Responsibilities and Achievements 1. Product Development & Project Management - Led the development of products including electronic aroma diffusers, well-being items, lifestyle goods, and indoor/outdoor decorative products. - Managed all stages of product creation, from ideation and design to prototyping, manufacturing, packaging, and logistics. - Partnered with global brands such as: > Nature et Découvertes: Delivered over 30 products distributed across 85 stores in France, Switzerland, and Belgium. > Decleor-Carita Paris (L’Oréal Group), ISAMU Japan, and leading laboratories including Laboratoires Fabre, Gravier, and Sabiluc. 2. Procurement and Sourcing Management - Operated as a Procurement Service Provider (PSP) for SMEs and multinational clients, optimizing purchasing processes across Asia. - Built and managed a supplier network spanning China, South East Asia, Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea, ensuring cost-effective sourcing and high-quality standards. - Delivered comprehensive procurement services, including spend analysis, supplier audits, procurement operations, quality control, and logistics management. 3. Turnkey Solutions for Clients - Developed an integrated service model, allowing clients to outsource the entire product lifecycle. - Ensured competitive pricing and superior quality through strategic sourcing, quality control, and supplier management. Key Achievements - Launched over 100+ products, establishing INNOBIZ as a leader in innovation and quality. - Secured long-term partnerships with global brands, driving growth across Europe and Asia. - Enhanced clients' competitive advantage through seamless procurement and streamlined operations.

  • Co-founder at Aziarts
    Jul 2004 - Feb 2005 · 8 mos

    As co-founder of Aziart, a trading company specializing in lifestyle and ethnic decorative products, I managed operations and drove growth by sourcing and promoting unique items from diverse regions, including China, Southeast Asia, and the Andes (Peru, Bolivia). Sourcing and Product Expertise: - China: Chinese paintings, calligraphy, ceramics, snuff bottles with pre-Cultural Revolution designs, batik art, and silk accessories. - Southeast Asia: Bamboo decorations, bamboo tableware, silk textiles, ceramics, and mango wood decorative items. - Peru: Clothing made from vicuña and alpaca wool, showcasing traditional craftsmanship. Business Development: Prospected and secured new B2B clients while driving B2C sales through the eBay platform, expanding the company’s market reach. Company Management: Led all aspects of the business, from strategic planning to client relations, ensuring smooth and profitable operations. Aziart combined cultural heritage with modern trade, connecting international customers to high-quality, authentic products from these rich and diverse regions.