Claim OwnershipProcurement Initiative Leaders Podcast
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The Procurement Initiative Leaders Podcast delivers industry-leading insights and trends to propel your organisation’s procurement strategy forward. Hosted by Richard McIntosh and Mike Jansen, Partners at H&Z, and Senior Advisor Martina Buchhauser, this show is the go-to resource for every CPO looking to up their game.
Join Richard, Martina and Mike as they sit down with industry leaders and experts to uncover the latest trends and insights in procurement, from exploring the transformative power of technology, data, digitisation and AI, to unraveling the complexities of leadership, competencies and talent management. Discover strategies for cost reduction and value creation, gain a deeper understanding of the impact of inflation, the economy, and geopolitics, and learn how to build resilient supply chains while effectively managing risks. We also delve into the crucial topics of ESG and the circular economy, exploring their implications for procurement leaders.
Tune in to the Procurement Initiative Leaders Podcast to unlock the knowledge and expertise you need to stay at the cutting-edge of the industry and drive meaningful change within your organisation.
24 Episodes
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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...
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...
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...
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 ...
Procurement transformation isn't just about systems. It's about scale, culture, and strategy. In this episode, host Richard McIntosh speaks with Karl Poulsen, CPO at Hiscox, about leading a greenfield procurement transformation by leveraging digital tools not just to modernise, but to embed excellence at scale. Karl shares how he moved the organisation from spreadsheets and silos to a centralised, tech-enabled function. He explains how automation, governance, and scalability were built with...
When you relish the hard problems, courage, culture and vision turn challenges into the spark of business success. In this episode, host Martina Buchhauser speaks with Barbara Stolle-Amedick, Global Head of Supply Chain Management, Transformers Business at Hitachi Energy, about the journey of repositioning procurement inside a 100-year-old organisation. Barbara explains how her team moved beyond being seen as “order writers” to becoming recognised as business enablers. She shares how silos ...
Navigating a volatile world with a calm mindset, a collaborative spirit, and a drive for continuous reinvention—that's what true procurement leadership is all about. In this episode, host Richard McIntosh sits down with Gaël De Martelaere, Head of Direct Procurement at Dow, for a candid exploration of how procurement can thrive in times of disruption and transformation. Gaël unpacks Dow’s journey as it shifts from relentless cost-out and pandemic-era capacity scrambles to a new era of colla...
What if the secret to resilient procurement leadership starts with daring to be vulnerable? In this episode, host Martina Buchhauser speaks with Dieter Dehoorne, Group Senior Vice President and CPO of Global Procurement at Vestas, about the human side of transformation, and what it takes to lead through uncertainty. Dieter shares his leap from Volvo to Vestas, navigating a new industry amid global crisis, and the moment he began to question his leadership for the first time in decades. His ...
Procurement doesn’t need a rebrand. It needs structure, speed, and people who take ownership. In this episode, host Mike Jansen sits down with Demetrios Kappos, Management Consultant and former VP Global Procurement at EagleBurgmann, to explore how to shift procurement from a reactive service provider to a structured value driver. Demetrios speaks plainly about what works—and what doesn’t. For him, transformation begins by separating operational efficiency from strategic effectiveness. It’s...
If five purchase orders go wrong, suddenly everyone’s looking at procurement. That’s the reality Ottobock CPO Gao Kwintmeyer knows well—and it’s why he’s spent his career building a procurement function that delivers far more than just cost savings. In this episode, host Mike Jansen talks with Gao about what it really takes to lead procurement at a global scale. From navigating supplier quality issues and regulatory complexity to integrating AI with intention, Gao shares how he balances ope...
How do you turn a clunky ERP-based procurement process into a driver of >10% savings? In this episode, host Richard McIntosh speaks with Alexander Pilsl, Director Procurement at TeamViewer, about how modern procurement orchestration can directly drive measurable business value. Alexander shares how his team replaced a legacy ERP-based process with a flexible orchestration layer—unlocking transparency, early engagement, and savings by involving procurement early. With a focus on stakehold...
What happens when procurement evolves from being transaction-focused to becoming a true business partner? Find out in this episode. Host Richard McIntosh speaks with Milind Tailor, Global Head, Resale Products & Services Procurement at Diebold Nixdorf, about the transformative journey of procurement business partnering. Milind shares how procurement can go beyond cost-cutting to build trust, foster supplier innovation, and align with business goals to drive revenue and operational excell...
At Bosch, governance significantly contributes to business success, and actively supports purchasing teams by integrating compliance and functional excellence. Martina Buchhauser speaks with Dr. Thomas Schulte, Head of Governance Supply Chain Management Purchasing at Bosch, about how governance acts as a "license to operate" in procurement. Dr. Schulte outlines Bosch’s collaborative approach—working with business unit representatives to analyse regulations and embed practical compliance solu...
Is your procurement strategy stuck in the past? Discover how to transform category management and drive real strategic impact. In this episode, Richard McIntosh speaks with Detlef Schultz, award-winning procurement leader and co-founder of akirolabs, about the evolution of category management. Drawing from his vast experience as former CEO and current Board Chairperson of Vodafone Procurement Company, Detlef explains how procurement can shift from cost-cutting to strategic value creation. He...
Ready to embrace sustainable procurement? Discover how circular value chains and secondary materials can revolutionise your supply chain. In this episode, host Richard McIntosh welcomes Matthias Ballweg, Co-founder of CIRCULAR REPUBLIC, to discuss circular value chains and secondary materials. Matthias reveals the significance of circularity and shares actionable strategies for companies to kickstart their sustainable procurement journey. You'll learn: 1. What circularity and secondary ma...
Combining ambitious goals and solid strategies is where procurement 'magic' happens. Join host Martina Buchhauser as she talks to Lovisa Söderholm, Senior Vice President of Purchasing at Volvo Penta, about driving procurement success. Lovisa shares insights on the dual objectives of cost and CO₂ reduction, emphasising the significance of engagement, cross-functional collaboration, and clear communication. You'll learn: 1. How to accomplish cost and CO₂ reductions simultaneously 2. The imp...
Unlock the secrets to achieving immediate gains and sustainable value in procurement. In this episode, our host Martina Buchhauser sits down with Thomas Janvier, founder of Janvier Advisory, to delve into the intricate balancing act between short-term financial gains and long-term value creation in procurement. Thomas, a former CPO, shares his mission to drive sustainable value while meeting immediate business needs, and emphasises the critical mindset shift required to integrate sustainabil...
Navigating a carve-out? Get an insider’s view on the procurement strategies that can help you achieve a seamless transition. In this episode, we delve into the complexities of procurement in corporate carve-outs with Paolo Lepore, Head of Global Procurement at ECO3. Paolo discusses his role in navigating the separation from Agfa, highlighting the critical aspects of change management, the power of data, and effective supplier management. You'll learn: 1. The essential elements of change m...
Explore the future of procurement! Discover how five key megatrends are defining the industry's next chapter and how you can future-proof your procurement strategy. In this episode, host Richard McIntosh is joined by Laurin Zemmrich, from the University of St.Gallen's Institute of Supply Chain Management, to discuss the whitepaper, "Procurement Pathfinder 2024: A Trend Outlook." Laurin shares his extensive research on the megatrends that are set to shape the future of procurement. The discus...
In the highly pressurised world of procurement and supply chain, it's easy to lose sight of the things that matter: kindness, humility, and the odd 'Thank you' here and there. In this episode, we welcome Neil Marsons, who shares some of the invaluable knowledge he has gleaned from his impressive career in procurement and supply chain. Neil touches on the essential mindset characteristics CPOs need for a successful career, as well as how to transform procurement into a value-adding business ...
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