Leadership Profile: Elmarie van der Merwe of Pretoria Portland Cement
This month SmartProcurement profiles Elmarie van der Merwe from PPC.
Full name: Elmarie van der Merwe
Position: Head: Group Procurement
Your organisations’ procurement expenditure: R3.459-billion
Who does P & SM report to: Executive: Group Services
Private sector OR Public sector: Private Sector
Core business activity of the enterprise: Manufacturing of Cement
Number of people in your P & SM organisation: Head Office – 10. Throughout Group – 80
Management motto: As a leader, it is my responsibility to create an environment for people to excel and be passionate about what they do. My role is to provide them with the guidelines, the means and ability to be the best they can be.
Membership of professional bodies: SAPICS
What is your vision for P & SM: I would like to see P & SM positioned strategically in the Top 100 companies in SA. For employees in P & SM to be passionate about the field and be in a position to be strategically placed in their organisations.
Personal best achievement: Personally, as a mother, I was able to instill a hunger for knowledge and achievement in my children. Professionally – to obtain my B.Com Honors in Logistics through UNISA.
Most important commodities: In the cement industry, our raw materials take the focus, but I loved Travel.
The person that has had the biggest influence on your life: My children. Through very difficult times in my life, they loved me unconditionally.
The person that has had the biggest influence on your career: Pepé Meijer, the Executive: Group Services in PPC. My mentor for most of my years at PPC.
Person you would most like to meet: Nelson Mandela (Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world)
Business person who has impressed you most: Walt Disney (All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.)
Your favorite South African organisation: Coca Cola South Africa and Old Mutual
Your favorite global organisation: Old Mutual
Your philosophy about life: People may forget you for your achievements in life, but they will never forget the way you made them feel.
Favourite reading: Joel Osteen, John C. Maxwell,
Favourite music: Michael W. Smith, 80’s, actually anything except Hard Rock
Favourite sport: Rugby (Blue Bulls supporter)
Favourite website: LinkedIn (and Facebook – reunited me with so many school friends and long lost family), SmartProcurement.
Hobbies: Scrapbooking, Music, Songwriting, Hiking, sewing, reading
Car: Nissan X-trail, gold (but once the kids have their own wheels – Mazda MX5)
Married: Fanie van der Merwe – 2 years
Children: Heilize 21, Thornton 14, Tristan 13
