How has B. Braun Transformed its Procurement Processes?
B. Braun ranks among the world's leading healthcare organisations, with expertise in medical technology and pharmaceutical solutions.
The company conducts operations across more than 60 countries, employing no fewer than 65,000 staff members.
It is renowned for its commitment to innovation, clinical collaborations and environmentally-responsible healthcare delivery.
Addressing global procurement complexities
B. Braun's vast operational scale introduces a multifaceted procurement environment, but managing an extensive network of at least 40,000 suppliers worldwide poses significant challenges.
Previously, indirect procurement processes varied greatly by region, complicating effective collaboration across international teams.
Christian Brüggemann, SVP Indirect Procurement at B. Braun, emphasised the importance of procurement as a "crucial global function" within the organisation.
The historic approach to procurement at B. Braun resulted in inefficiencies, unclear roles and responsibilities, untapped value potential and challenging collaboration across global teams.
In response, B. Braun began a transformational journey in 2023 to unify procurement operations and standardise global performance.
Unified procurement through strategic collaboration
In collaboration with H&Z, B. Braun embarked on a mission to streamline and modernise indirect procurement.
The Procure One programme was developed to establish a unified operating model, optimise processes and create a more efficient, transparent and high-performing global function.
H&Z's extensive expertise in procurement, combined with a collaborative approach, played a pivotal role in co-creating Procure One with B. Braun.
The partnership resulted in initiatives such as:
- The development of a new global operating model for indirect procurement
- Clear definitions of roles, responsibilities and governance structures
- Implementation of regional and global category management frameworks
- Streamlining of procurement policies and procedures
- Building shared capabilities among teams and regions
- Fostering a global procurement community through regular town halls and open knowledge exchange
Christian says: "With Procure One, we have seen real tangible progress. We now have well-defined responsibilities, smarter governance and a clear global and regional category management structure, giving everyone greater clarity and confidence in their roles.
"Collaboration has also taken a big step forward. We have built a true global, indirect procurement community through regular town halls, creating space for open exchange and shared learning."
Realising a lasting impact
Christian further highlights the partnership's collaborative nature: "What really stood out was how H&Z partnered with us—not just as consultants, but as true co-creators. They worked hand in hand with our teams across functions, countries and levels to make this transformation real."
The collaboration has delivered a globally-integrated indirect procurement function with a unified structure and governance.
Noteworthy outcomes of this initiative include enhanced efficiency, transparency and collaboration, as well as well-defined responsibilities and operating procedures across all regions.
Furthermore, procurement's value contribution to the broader business has been amplified, fortifying team engagement and momentum.
The partnership between B. Braun and H&Z continues to evolve, with H&Z serving as a trusted advisor on procurement strategy, sustainability, cost and value engineering and training.
The Procure One achievements lay a foundation for sustained influence, showcasing measurable improvements and setting a pathway for continuous transformation.