Procurement Initiative Leaders Podcast

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...

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 s...

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 mana...

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 an...

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, ho...

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 c...

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...

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 jo...

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...

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 hi...

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 is...

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 trans...

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,...

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 ap...

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 Co...

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 kick...

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 c...

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 imme...

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...

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.&q...

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 character...

Proactive risk management can transform procurement into a strategic powerhouse. Find out how, in this insightful episode with Paul Howard , Interim Director of Global Indirect Procurement at National Grid, as he delves into the critical aspects of procurement excellence through effective risk management. As a seasoned professional with a background in both military and corporate procurement, Paul...

How is one of the world's leading healthcare companies reshaping the procurement landscape? By leading with innovation and focusing on what truly matters: the patient. In this episode, Marielle Beyer , Head of Global Procurement at Roche, explains how leadership, innovation, and a steadfast commitment to people-centric outcomes are the keys to driving success in today's complex corporate...

With the new year already in full swing, boardrooms are abuzz with pertinent questions, existing geopolitical disputes continue while new ones emerge, and new technologies rapidly enter the market. There's never been a more challenging, yet opportunistic moment to be a leader in procurement. In this episode, Kathleen Harmeston , a seasoned CPO, Business Transformation Advisor and Non-Executiv...

Liz Rider is a transformative organizational psychologist, associate fellow of psychology and official top leadership voice on LinkedIn with over 25 years of experience working with large, global companies. In this episode, Liz describes a new era of leadership that favours trust, empowerment and autonomy over micromanagement and dictation. She delves deep into how leaders can communicate the comp...