CEO MONTHLY / C-SUITE AWARDS 2024 13 Apr24247 FUNKE is one of Germany’s largest and most successful media companies, focused on maintaining the passion behind independent journalism. Dedicated to connecting, informing, entertaining, inspiring, and involving people through print and digital media products, FUNKE has built a diverse crew of engaged thinkers who are driven by their contribution for a free and educated society, reaching over 2 million readers per day. Overseeing the procurement and sustainability departments is Gundula Ullah, an award-winning professional whose efforts to optimize the company have been noteworthy. Here, we explore her approach and contributions. With dual responsibility for procurement and sustainability, Gundula Ullah actively contributes to FUNKE’s transformational change, delivering cost optimizations, technological innovations, and greater sustainability in media. “I focus on integrating sustainability with procurement, ensuring we adapt our supply and cost base to market trends while improving our sustainable footprint,” Gundula explains. Since joining the media group in 2019, Gundula aligns business needs with evolving demands, continuously maintaining a competitive edge. “In my role, I am dedicated to driving optimal outcomes for the company by focusing on current market trends and sustainability standards,” she states. Her commitment to FUNKE’s best interests has kept the company steadily progressing in sustainability, all while seamlessly meeting regulatory requirements. An example of her dedication is the implementation of a first, industry-ever CO2-neutral value chain, the so-called ‘Climate Pilot Project’ associated with FUNKE’s largest newspaper, the Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung, in short the “WAZ”. This project, initiated under the sub-brand “FUNKE for Future”, has been steered in collaboration with strategic paper and logistics suppliers. In total, the team was able to identify several measures to reduce the carbon emissions of newspaper production by 73% - from paper factory to the readers’ mailboxes. “For example, the common belief is that printed products are inherently unsustainable due to the reliance on paper, because it necessitates tree harvesting. However, did you know that implementing a few impactful strategies, such as switching to green energy for production and transport, can reduce the carbon emissions of a newspaper by over 73%?” Gundula highlights. These achievements – though sounding simple to apply, yet being challenging to realise - demonstrate her approach to her responsibilities, emphasizing risktaking, exploration, and necessary stakeholder engagement. Gundula appreciates FUNKE’s transformational journey which is exciting, but also challenging. She is motivated by the potential to ensure FUNKE upholds its values for the next generation. “My recipe for success includes the passion for innovation and excellence, fuelled by a strong commitment and drive for sustainability and making sure what we do has a meaningful purpose for the next generation,” she reflects. Beyond sustainability, Gundula focuses on leveraging technology for procurement. In 2024, she worked with her team to implement a GenAI model in the purchase-to-pay process. This innovation has enhanced the speed and efficiency of IT tools, in alignment with FUNKE’s guidelines and benefiting the company. “2024 is poised to be a transformative year with the rise of Artificial Intelligence – in general for us as a media company but also for our Finance team in particular. In Procurement, we have already leveraged a GenAI model with seven use cases of our purchase-to-pay process in just the first quarter of 2024. Full roll-out will commence pending approval from internal governance bodies”, she shares. Since taking on dual responsibilities, Gundula has shared her positive outlook with those around her. Together with her team, she explores new ideas and drives change to anticipate industry advancements. “ “Ultimately, my focus is on delivering the most value for the company, whether through cost savings, process improvements, or enhancing our environmental impact,” Gundula asserts. To conclude, Gundula shares: “My priority is on leveraging the successes I’ve achieved by continually embracing innovation, expanding my expertise, and creating a positive impact within the organization. My ultimate goal, recognizing the talent shortage we face, is that we dedicate our efforts to developing the next generation of leaders within our organization. We need to inspire and attract talented individuals to join us on this exciting journey in the media industry to make sure that quality journalism prevails for future generations. FUNKE for Future is not just a slogan – we genuinely mean it!” Gundula Ullah’s work with FUNKE has been recognized, earning her the title of Best Media Chief Procurement Officer 2024 (Germany). We look forward to seeing where her innovative mindset takes the company’s procurement and sustainability function next, and we hope that she continues to dazzle the community for the years to come. Contact: Gundula Ullah Company: FUNKE Mediengruppe GmbH & Co KGaA Web Address: https://www.funkemedien.de/de/
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