A few weeks ago I had dinner with a friend who has been in procurement for eight years. Halfway through his second drink he said: “I saved the company eight million yuan last quarter. My boss did not mention it once in the monthly meeting. Sales signed a five-million deal. Three celebration emails went out across the company, and the sales director’s bonus could cover my salary for a whole year.” He was not angry. That was what made it sad. Almost everyone in procurement has had this moment. You negotiate pricing concessions until late at night. You camp at a supplier’s factory for three days catching quality defects. You…