Procurement Initiative Leaders Podcast

25 Episodes

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Ep. 25 - Why Negotiation Alone No Longer Drives Procurement Value - with Mario Meyer

2026-02-2450:16

The biggest procurement myth? That better negotiations automatically create better results. Host Mike Jansen speaks with Mario Meyer, CPO and Head of Global Quality for the Division Plants at Ammann Group, about why classic negotiation tactics often hit a hard ceiling, and where Procurement leaders should focus instead. Mario challenges the idea that value is won at the negotiation table. Drawing on real examples from Ammann’s project-driven environment, he explains how deeper collaboration...

Ep. 24 – Striking the Balance Between AI Hesitation and Hype in Procurement – with Salvatore Lombardo

2025-12-0301:12:22

Avoiding the “AI stamp" trap in Procurement starts with one mindset shift: orchestrate AI, don’t just adopt it. In this episode, host Mike Jansen speaks with Salvatore Lombardo, CPTO at Coupa, about how procurement leaders can turn AI into a true business driver. Salvatore explains why too many teams chase artificial intelligence for visibility rather than value, and what it takes to build sustainable impact instead. He breaks down how to move from scattered “one agent per pain point” initi...

Ep. 23 – How Private Equity Redefines Procurement Value – with Will Harman

2025-11-2033:06

In private equity, the smartest procurement move isn’t scaling spend. It's scaling insight. In this episode, host Richard McIntosh speaks with Will Harman, Founder & CEO of Trusted Value Creation and former Global Margin Expansion Lead at Apax Partners. Will shares how private equity turns procurement into one of its most powerful levers for value creation. Drawing on his experience managing $12 billion in annual spend across 85 portfolio companies, he explains how PE firms create margi...

Ep. 22 - Beyond ‘Your Wish Is My Command’: Elevating Procurement to a Strategic Partner - with Niels Walberg

2025-11-0501:15:20

If Procurement is still a ‘your wish is my command’ function at your company, you’re leaving value on the table. In this episode, host Mike Jansen speaks with Niels Walberg, CPO at K+S Aktiengesellschaft. With over 25 years in procurement, Niels shares how he’s driving the shift from reactive service provider to strategic partner at a €1.5 billion spend organisation. He explains why clear KPIs and supplier performance management matter, why stakeholder buy-in is the true lever for lasting c...

Ep. 21 – Building Procurement Resilience in a Volatile, Digital Age – with Kai Dittberner

2025-10-2243:10

Digitalisation succeeds when people lead the change, not just the tools. In this episode, host Mike Jansen speaks with Kai Dittberner, VP Global Procurement at Giesecke+Devrient, about how Procurement at the global security technology company has evolved to drive resilience, innovation, and ESG impact. He explains why successful digitalisation depends on strong processes and people engagement, how G+D leveraged “digital heroes” to embed change, and why regional diversification and supplier ...

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