--- title: "TALK WITH BELÉN SIERRA GARCÍA, DIRECTOR OF THE PURCHASING AND SERVICES DEPARTMENT" lang: "en" type: "noticia" updated: "2026-07-20" url: "https://www.fraternidad.com/en/talk-with-belen-sierra-garcia-director-of-the-purchasing-and-services-department" translations: es: "https://www.fraternidad.com/es-ES/noticias/charla-con-belen-sierra-garcia-directora-del-departamento-de-compras-y-servicios" ca: "https://www.fraternidad.com/ca-ES/xerrada-amb-betlem-serra-garcia-directora-del-departament-de-compres-i-serveis" eu: "https://www.fraternidad.com/eu-ES/hitzaldia-belen-sierra-garcia-kin-erosketa-eta-zerbitzuen-saileko-zuzendariak" gl: "https://www.fraternidad.com/gl-ES/charla-con-belen-sierra-garcia-directora-do-departamento-de-compras-e-servizos" en: "https://www.fraternidad.com/en/talk-with-belen-sierra-garcia-director-of-the-purchasing-and-services-department" zh-hans: "https://www.fraternidad.com/cn/yucaigouhefuwubuzongjian-belen-sierra-garcia-jiaotan" --- ![Imagen Noticias](/sites/default/files/styles/style_1920x400/public/default_images/AdobeStock_71587395.jpg?itok=mOsqCscy) # TALK WITH BELÉN SIERRA GARCÍA, DIRECTOR OF THE PURCHASING AND SERVICES DEPARTMENT 12/03/2014 News ## CHAT WITH| BELÉN SIERRA GARCÍA Studies in Geography and History and Master in HR Management, Belén Sierra began her career in 1990 at the National Institute of Industry, in the area of ​​Selection and Development of the HR Subdirectorate. Two years later, in 1992, she joined Fraternidad-Muprespa in the Department of Purchasing and Services, where she would remain until 2002; From this date until 2006, she was appointed responsible for Selection and Hiring in the Human Resources Department. In 2007 he returned to the Department of Purchasing and Services to occupy the management position, which he currently holds. --- Director of the Purchasing and Services Department. ![Mutua Fraternidad-Muprespa]()F.M.: The mutual insurance company, as an entity that manages public money, is obliged to hold tenders or, depending on the amount, request several budgets to make purchases or award services. Could you explain the process to us? B.S.G.: I think it could be summarized by saying that what the law requires of us is that in our contracting processes we guarantee the principles of transparency, equal treatment and non-discrimination, with respect to potential suppliers. To do this, some sections are established depending on the amount of what we want to purchase or the service we intend to contract, for each of which more or less complex requirements must be met, as we advance from section to section. These requirements are very varied, from the publicity that must be given to the tender, the deadlines that must be established for the presentation of offers by suppliers to the composition of the Contracting Board that must analyze the offers and propose the award of the contract to the most advantageous offer. F.M.: From a global perspective, what is the requirement that is usually valued most? B.S.G.: Without a doubt, the economic aspect is key; We must not forget that, in the very complicated economic moment that we are experiencing with continuous reminders to control spending, we must add that the Contract Law itself establishes that the award must be made to the most economically advantageous offer. However, other criteria must be taken into account, such as the adaptation of the offers received to real needs, the solvency of the companies that present their offers, their commitment to quality, the environment, etc. F.M.: Currently, a lot of consideration is given to the environment and the business commitment that companies must have. In your opinion, what is smart purchasing? B.S.G.: To begin with, I believe that it is a concept that has recently become fashionable, and that it can mean several things: it can be that which not only leaves us satisfied at the moment of doing it, but prolongs that satisfaction over time, or that in which we have managed to obtain the best, at the best price. In my opinion, intelligent purchasing is one that achieves a balance between the quality and price of a product or service, guaranteeing in any case that what is purchased really corresponds to the pre-existing need. Obviously, at the present time it is also essential that the entire process be carried out with the utmost respect for the environment, the rights of the people who participate in it, etc. F.M.: It is likely that the department you manage is one of the ones with the largest budget. Could you tell us where the bulk of the expenditure is usually invested? B.S.G.: The most important percentage of the budget we manage would correspond to chapter 2, current expenses, a kind of "catch-all" that encompasses everything from general services (cleaning, security, suitcases and all types of transportation, mail costs, etc.) to office supplies, printing, health supplies, pharmaceutical products and a long etcetera. This would account for 80% of the budget; The remaining 20% ​​would be distributed, practically in equal parts, between chapter 4 (basically expenses for first aid kits) and 6, which includes the investments managed by the Department, furniture and medical equipment almost entirely. F.M.: Another function performed by the department is the control of the services that are contracted. What happens if it is detected that the service that has been received does not correspond to the one promised? B.S.G.: Basically, the Department manages (and therefore controls) general services in Central Services. The way to act in these cases will depend a lot on whether or not there is repetition, the degree of non-compliance, etc. To simplify it, the logical thing is to begin by notifying the contracted company in writing, continue applying the penalties provided for in the contract, which usually consist of deducting from the invoice an amount or percentage predetermined in the contract and, if non-compliance continues to occur, reaching its resolution. F.M.: The management of the first aid kits is also carried out from your department, the renewal requests and their supply. Do mutual members use this service? B.S.G.: The truth is that yes. It must be taken into account that the obligation to have a first aid kit with all the corresponding equipment in the workplace, in accordance with the law, is the employer's, but it is up to the Mutual Fund, as part of its action against work accidents, to supply it; That is to say, it is the Mutual Fund that assumes their cost, and precisely for this reason it is logical that mutual members make use of this service as much as possible. [Interview Belén Sierra ![]()Discharge](;) "Your Mutual - Quality and Service, 365 days a year" ![](/sites/default/files/styles/400x400/public/2016-12/mutua-Fraternidad-Muprespa-Belen-Sierra-I_6.png?itok=c5eqKK8s)