The Procurement Game Changers

Alpha Women in Procurement - A Lone Road to Leadership -- Episode6

We were blown away by the amazing response to our women's day special podcast! And you know what? We're not done celebrating all the incredible women out there just yet. So, we've decided to keep the momentum going by continuing the series. And, Today's episode is going to be a real treat! We've got Carmella Long, a procurement veteran who's going to give us the inside scoop on her journey through the procurement world. And let me tell you, she's got some serious street cred.
With over 30 years of experience in procurement and supply chain, Carmella's worked in some of the toughest industries out there, from oil and gas to petrochemicals and even environmental. She's seen it all, folks.
But what really sets Carmella apart is her unique perspective. Having worked in a technical sales role for five years, she's seen the procurement world from the other side of the table. And let me tell you; it's an eye-opener. Carmella realized that as a supplier, her interests aligned with those of the procurement team - both want to help the company achieve better performance. It's like procurement is just a mirror image of sales.
Now, let's talk about the challenges. Carmella started her career in an overly male-dominated arena, which wasn't easy. But with the help of some fantastic female colleagues (not even from procurement!), she was able to thrive in her role. let's say she's come a long way since then.
So, if you want to hear about Carmella's journey and how she navigated the challenging path to get where she is today, you do not want to miss this episode! Tune in now!
 
 

Alpha Women in Procurement - A Lone Road to Leadership -- Episode 5

In this Women's Day special podcast series, Alpha Female in Procurement - the Lone Road to Leadership, host Helene introduces Alejandra Garcia, Senior Vice President of Global Procurement at DSM. Alejandra has 25 years of experience in procurement and shares her valuable insights on procurement challenges and strategies for success. In this episode, Alejandra talks about the biggest challenge she has faced in her career, which is to prove the value of procurement outside of just standard KPIs and metrics. She also discusses the importance of building networks and relationships, understanding the end customer's needs, and stepping out of the box to bring a solution to procurement. Tune in to this episode to learn from the best in the field.

Alpha Women in Procurement - Celebrating International Women’s Day - Episode 4

Get ready to celebrate International Women's Day 2023 with our fantastic interview series, "Alpha Females in Procurement - the Lone Road to Leadership." We've been lucky to chat with three phenomenal women: Susan Spence, Vera Rozanova, and Donna Donato. And let me tell you, their stories are truly inspiring!
Our host Helene Laffitte has been doing an incredible job guiding the conversations with thoughtful and witty questions.
But wait, there's more! Today's episode has a little twist. Our fantastic CEO at CQ and a consulting sourcing expert, Helene Laffitte, is taking the reins today and becoming the storyteller herself! This episode will surely be an eye-opener, shedding light on women's challenges in male-dominated fields. And for all young professionals, get ready to take some notes and find inspiration on how to pave your road to success.
And don't worry, gentlemen, you're welcome to tune in too! You will gain valuable insight into the experiences of these impressive women, but you'll also learn how to become a better ally and advocate for gender equality in the workplace. So join us on this journey, and let's celebrate the achievements of women in procurement together!
So, what are you waiting for? Grab your headphones and prepare for a powerful, engaging narrative that will leave you feeling empowered and motivated!

How to build a sustainable Supply Chain?

The world of procurement and supply chain management is changing rapidly. The past three years have shown us just how vital it is to have a solid supply chain strategy, no matter your industry. It's like building a castle - you want to make sure your foundation is strong enough to withstand any attack that comes your way.
At the same time, building a sustainable supply chain is essential for our future because it ensures the responsible use of resources, reduces waste and pollution, and helps mitigate the negative impacts of climate change. Additionally, a sustainable supply chain can lead to greater resilience and long-term profitability for businesses while also meeting the growing demand from consumers for more environmentally and socially responsible products and services.
Of course, building a sustainable supply chain is easier said than done. Rome wasn’t built in one day. And that's precisely what this PGC podcast episode is all about! This episode features Kartik Iyer, a supply chain expert who shares his insights and experience on how to build a resilient supply chain.
We explore why sustainability is critical and how to define it. We examine vital elements companies must implement to achieve a sustainable supply chain. And we tackle the tricky question of pursuing suppliers in countries like India to participate in sustainability.
Do you often get those nagging pangs that, as procurement and supply chain leaders, you have a crucial role in the global sustainability effort? Then, please take a deep breath and tune in to our podcast for invaluable insights.

Alpha Women in Procurement - A Lone Road to Leadership -- Episode3

As we celebrate Women's Day this year, we're proud to feature a group of influential women in procurement. And today, we're thrilled to have Donna Donato join us for our third episode of the "Alpha Females in Procurement: The Lone Road to Leadership" podcast series.
 
A seasoned leader in the procurement world, Donna has over 25 years of global experience under her belt. She's currently rocking the role of CEO for Chain IQ Americas, a leading independent procurement services company.
 
During our podcast, Donna shared her insights on building a career in procurement. She had a message for younger women seeking a career in procurement: true growth and learning happen when you step outside your comfort zone. Donna advised women professionals to focus on action and learning, rather than striving for perfection. This mindset builds confidence and competency over time.
 
Your favorite host, Helene, guides the conversation, delving into Donna's fascinating journey with thoughtful and witty questions. You won't want to miss it! Tune in to hear Helene and Donna's captivating discussion on leadership, collaboration, and networking among women in procurement.

Alpha Women in Procurement - A Lone Road to Leadership -- Episode 2

Join us to Celebrate International Women's Day with our latest episode featuring a remarkable guest, Vera Rozanova – the Global Director at Open Forum Enterprise Ltd, an expert in procurement and supply chain management, a beloved coach and mentor, and a champion of climate change! Did we mention she is also an MCIPS?
In this episode, we dive into the procurement world with Vera and explore how women can thrive in this fast-paced and exciting industry. She shares her insights on how collaboration and relationship building are the keys to success in procurement and how women's unique qualities, such as emotional intelligence and communication skills, are an excellent fit for this field.
Tune in and learn from her expertise. You'll hear about her journey and how she's making a difference in the industry.

Alpha Women in Procurement - A Lone Road to Leadership -- Episode 1

As we have finally arrived at the inaugural episode of our Women's Day Special series,"Alpha Women in Procurement - A Lone Road to Leadership." we're thrilled to have the fabulous Susan Spence as our guest. If you're ready to get inspired and maybe even pick up a few career strategies, be sure to join us for this exciting conversation.

Building A Resilient Supply Chain Network

Soumava Laha discusses supply chain resilience on Procurement Game Changers Podcast. Learn how to invest strategically for competitive advantage and disruption protection. Tune in.

How to set up a procurement organization?

A best-in-class procurement can be a key differentiator for a company’s success. And one of the ways to determine whether it is best-in-class is by looking at its ability to save money for the organization.
According to Ricardo Gaxiola, a procurement veteran with 25 years of experience, the mark of an outstanding procurement is its ability to be recognized as a valuable brand that external suppliers prefer to work with. "Procurement needs to be a facilitator of a data-driven decision-making process in an organization,” he maintains. Ricardo adds that heightened collaboration between procurement and internal stakeholders can be the key to such procurement excellence.
Tune in to learn about his perspective on several other aspects, including how to use technology and how to deal with internal resistance while setting up a procurement organization. Tune in.

How to find the right people for your procurement group?

When the finance, marketing, IT, or HR departments get huge attention and patronage from the top management, procurement is seldom invited to share the limelight.
But best-in-class procurement can contribute to an organization's success in multiple ways, and companies must not fail to use that potential. They should start by building up an efficient procurement team.
Notwithstanding its potential, few business leaders are interested in discovering what procurement does.
This nonchalance is reflected in the recruitment process, with companies often ending up hiring the wrong people for their procurement groups.
In this episode of our PGC podcast, our guest, Aslan Akyol, explains what companies can do to hire the right profiles for procurement. Tune in.