When You Need Best-Practice Knowledge, Strategies & Tools That Are Practical, Proven & Flat Out Work, You’ll Find Them Here.
Trusted by 60,000 professionals globally, Purchasing & Procurement Center is the only resource you would ever need to build and train individual & team procurement skills to world class levels.
Covering almost every procurement topic, skill & competence with 100+ modules online training (150+ hours) & 350+ hours of classroom trainings:
Download a Copy of our Procurement Trainings Catalogue
Artin Vaqari - LLB, MCL
Chief Executive Officer
While Artin was supposed to be a lawyer by profession (he never practiced law anyway) instead, his entrepreneurial spirit led him to venture into the training industry early in his career. Despite his legal background, Artin found his true calling in educating and empowering professionals. For over 20 years, he has dedicated himself to this field, accumulating a wealth of experience and insight.
In 2010, Artin founded PPC with a clear and ambitious mission: to provide comprehensive education to procurement executives. His goal was not just to improve individual skills but to elevate the entire procurement function to a level of respect and strategic importance within organizations. Artin believes that procurement should be recognized as a critical component that significantly contributes to the bottom line of any business. This belief is rooted in his macroeconomic perspective of business operations, which he often distills into a simple formula:
Profit = Sales Revenue - Expenses/Cost.
From this viewpoint, procurement plays a pivotal role in managing and reducing costs, thereby directly influencing the overall profitability of a company. Artin argues that procurement is not merely a support function but a strategic unit that deserves a seat at the executive table, or the C-Suite. By placing procurement in this strategic context, he emphasizes its importance in driving business success.
Artin’s leadership at PPC extends beyond his visionary goals. He is actively involved in the day-to-day operations of the company, ensuring that every aspect of the business runs smoothly. This includes overseeing the development and delivery of training programs, managing the company’s resources, and maintaining high standards of service. Additionally, Artin fulfills the quintessential role of a CEO by engaging with both existing and prospective clients. His interactions are not just about business transactions but about building relationships and understanding the evolving needs of his clients.
Through his dedicated efforts, Artin has positioned PPC as a leader in the training industry, particularly in the niche of procurement education. His work has not only helped individuals advance their careers but has also contributed to the broader goal of transforming how businesses perceive and utilize their procurement functions. By advocating for the strategic value of procurement, Artin continues to influence the industry and inspire others to recognize the potential impact of effective procurement practices on organizational success.
artin[at]purchasing-procurement-center.com
Mark Trowbridge
CPSM, MCIPS, Lifetime CPM.
Strategic Alliance Partner
Mark has 30 years in the profession which include senior positions in the Financial, Airlines, and Manufacturing sectors; culminating as Director of Sourcing & Contracting Management for Bank of America, contributing to quarter Billion dollars in savings! Mark is that proverbial Swiss army knife who can strategically advise a CPO one minute and then work side-by-side with a buyer to negotiate a deal and button up a tight contract. He embodies ‘been there done that’ and can explain things in plain English, while making the content engaging with war stories and humorous anecdotes.
mark[at]purchasing-procurement-center.com
Robi Bendorf
CPSM, MCIPS, Lifetime C.P.M., M.ED.
Strategic Alliance Partner
Nicknamed “True Guru of Purchasing” by one client, Robi energizes and excites everyone that hears him talk. He has over 35 years of procurement experience and he has conducted over 1,000 public seminars on procurement, contracts and supplier management topics for the Institute for Supply Management (ISM), Purchasing & Procurement Center, major universities, and numerous in-house seminars for industrial & services clients in the US, Asia & Middle East.
robi[at]purchasing-procurement-center.com
Michael J. Kolodisner
Certified Public Purchasing Officer (CPPO).
Senior Consultant
Mike has won numerous awards including seven Excellence in Purchasing awards, two Distinguished Service Awards, and an Outstanding Agency Accreditation Award. He was the Chief Purchasing and Contracting Officer for the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, the largest water in agency in the United States. Before that he was Director of Administrative Services and Chief Purchasing Officer for Orange County, California. He has done training and consulting for both Fortune 500 Companies and Public Organizations throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia and South America.
mikek[at]purchasing-procurement-center.com
Michael W. Gozzo
CSCP, CPIM, Who’s Who In Manufacturing
Senior Consultant
Mike is an established Procurement & Supply Chain Expert with more than 40 years real life experience. He is the one that will help solve issues with suppliers or better prevent them from happening in the first place.
Apart from being a very engaging and inspiring instructor, he is very hands on when it comes to delivering. That’s why his training sessions are very interactive and his consulting work receives accolades from clients. And if you want someone to tell people what they don’t want to hear, but they really need to, Mike’s the one.
mike [at]purchasing-procurement-center.com
Senai Janting
Senior Consultant
Senai is responsible for managing the day-to-day support operations of the company, ensuring that everything runs smoothly and efficiently. Her exceptional talent lies in her ability to make complex tasks appear effortless, all while aligning the team's focus towards a common goal.
Senai's organizational skills and attention to detail are unparalleled, allowing her to anticipate potential issues and address them proactively. Her leadership fosters a collaborative environment where everyone is motivated and clear on their objectives. Without Senai’s expertise and dedication, the company's operations would not function with the same level of effectiveness and coherence. She is the cornerstone of operational efficiency, consistently enhancing productivity and maintaining high standards across the board.
senai [at]purchasing-procurement-center.com
Billy Jane Baliwagan - MBA, CIPP
VP – Procurement Learning & Development
Billy Jane is dedicated to fostering strong client relationships and creating a welcoming, hospitable environment for everyone she interacts with. Her approach to client service is proactive and efficient, as she consistently delivers results promptly and reliably. Billy Jane's warm and personable demeanor will make you feel as though you have known her for years, even if you have just met.
Her commitment to excellence in client service is matched by her expertise in procurement and supply chain management. Billy Jane is not only a consummate professional but also a trusted advisor who listens to her clients' needs and tailors her solutions to meet those needs effectively. She understands the intricacies of the procurement and supply chain sectors and leverages her extensive knowledge to provide comprehensive training that addresses the unique challenges faced by her clients.
Billy Jane's ability to simplify complex concepts and her knack for clear, effective communication make her an invaluable resource for any organization looking to enhance its procurement and supply chain capabilities. Whether you require individualized training sessions or a comprehensive program for your entire team, Billy Jane is the right person to guide you through the process.
Her dedication to client satisfaction, combined with her professional expertise and approachable nature, ensures that working with her is not only productive but also enjoyable. For any procurement and supply chain training needs, Billy Jane is the person to contact. She will work tirelessly to ensure that your team is well-equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in today's competitive business environment.
billyjane[at]purchasing-procurement-center.com
Sagheer Rajper
VP – IT & Technology
Sagheer ensures that all runs smoothly on the technology side. But his gift is to see things beyond technology and to focus on the ultimate objective to achieve - how technology can help people. He is in charge of all ‘tech’ things and ensures that everyone (staff or clients) have an easy time when it comes to anything related to technology.
sagheer[at]purchasing-procurement-center.com