PROCUREMENT: A GATEWAY TO
By Ronald Hedley When Dennis Silva completed his formal education at The University of British Columbia, he had a degree in geography, a need for employment, and a yet-to-be discovered ability to lead. His career began humbly enough, selling appliances. Silva recalled, “I started my journey over 25 years ago, working for a large Canadian retail organization.” 8
Among the refrigerators, microwaves, and washing machines, Silva soon discovered qualities about himself that he had never known before. “I enjoyed sales because it took me out of my comfort zone. It was a challenge for me, and I learned a lot on the floor: how to work with others, how to deal with the public, and how to build that confidence.” It was in retail where Silva envisioned his own future. “At the time, our company was one of the fastest growing retailers in Canada. It offered a significant amount of opportunity, given the economy of the time. What attracted me was the internal growth, more than the sales.” Silva explained, “After four years, when the opportunity came, I moved to the head office to take on what they called a fixture re-buyer role. I jumped in and have never turned back.” Silva has been in procurement ever since.
