Top 10: Chief Procurement Officers in APAC

In a region defined by rapid growth and supply chain complexity, chief procurement officers are emerging as strategic powerhouses. 

Procurement Magazine’s ranking of the top 10 CPOs in APAC highlights leaders who are transforming procurement into a driver of innovation, resilience and sustainable value. 

From rethinking supplier ecosystems to embedding digital tools and responsible sourcing, these executives are reshaping how businesses buy, partner and grow with long-term impact across one of the world’s most dynamic markets.

10. Bob Pusanik

Position: Chief Procurement Officer
Company: NAB
Employees: ~40,000
Founded: 1981

Bob is a seasoned sourcing, procurement and property executive who has spent more than two decades working in global financial services. 

He leads with a commercial lens, managing supplier ecosystems and enterprise property portfolios. 

Bob oversees technology and services investments exceeding US$8bn a year. His teams deliver up to US$260m in savings while strengthening resilience, risk and compliance, simplifying operating models and aligning workplace strategies with sustainability.

9. Lucia Cioffi

Position: Chief Procurement Officer
Company: LEGO
Employees: 31,000+
Founded: 1932

Lucia has served as SVP and CPO at The LEGO Group since 2014.

Now based in Singapore, she previously spent time working in Germany and the Netherlands. 

Prior to joining LEGO, Lucia held a variety of roles at Philips, including VP and Head of Procurement for Imaging Systems and Finished Goods Sourcing. She also oversaw OEM supply for the Domestic Appliances and Personal Care divisions.

8. Rai De Jesus

Position: VP & Head of Procurement
Company: PLDT
Employees: ~15,000
Founded: 1928

As VP and Head of Procurement at PLDT, Rai oversees a US$2bn annual spend and more than 70 procurement practitioners. 

Having spent more than 15 years in procurement and supply chain, he focuses on optimising processes and developing people to deliver results. 

Rai also serves as Vice Chairman of the Procurement Council at the Contact Center Association of the Philippines, while numerous awards reflect his impact and commitment to innovation.

7. Steve Freeman

Position: Chief Procurement Officer
Company: Chevron
Employees: 45,000+
Founded: 1879

Steve joined Chevron back in 2005, starting out as a Principal Consultant for Strategic Planning. 

Since then, he has progressed through the ranks in admirable fashion, taking on various GM roles before becoming Chief Procurement Officer in 2019. 

Steve’s has taken him across the world, including to Angola, Nigeria and now, China. He specialises in procurement excellence, strategic sourcing and operational efficiency.

6. Rob Harrison

Position: Group CPO
Company: Qantas
Employees: ~20,000
Founded: 1920

Rob serves as Group CPO at Qantas, leading procurement across operations, commercial, technology, engineering and fuel, managing a significant group cost base. 

He delivers on priorities that enhance brand trust, improve competitive offering, advance sustainability leadership and build financial resilience. 

A versatile and engaging leader, Rob balances strategic aims with commercial realities, achieving results in challenging environments while ensuring teams feel valued and engaged. He thrives in inclusive, values-led organisations.

5. Sandeep Bhargava

Position: Chief Procurement Officer
Company: Havells India
Employees: 8,000+
Founded: 1958

Sandeep serves as Chief Procurement Officer at Havells India, bringing decades of leadership across automotive, electrical, electronic manufacturing and metals. 

Previously Executive President and CPO at Polycab India, he led procurement transformation and cost efficiency. 

He has also held senior commercial and materials roles at Vedanta Resources, ArcelorMittal Steel Ukraine and Asahi India Glass, building deep strategic global expertise in operations management, operational excellence, quality, team building and Six Sigma.

4. Michelle Shi-Verdaasdonk

Position: Chief Procurement Officer
Company: Electrolux
Employees: 41,000
Founded: 1919

Michelle joined Electrolux Group in December 2024, taking responsibility for the procurement strategy of direct and indirect materials, logistic services and product sourcing.

She previously served as Chief Supply Chain Officer at Dyson, where she led the end-to-end supply chain of the Dyson global network.

Following Michelle’s appointment, then-CEO Jonas Samuelson lauded her “proven track record of navigating complex supply chains and building strong partnerships”.

3. Ard Verboon

Position: Chief Procurement Officer
Company: Schneider Electric
Employees: ~160,000
Founded: 1836

Ard Verboon leads transformation at Schneider Electric through innovation, change management and disciplined strategic execution. 

With more than 25 years of global experience in the high-tech electronics industry, he has held senior roles spanning supply chain management, R&D, strategic sourcing, product management and general management for both listed and private equity owned companies. 

An intrapreneurial change agent, Ard builds high-performing teams that deliver strategic goals, minimise costs and maximise long-term value for the business.

2. Kaustubh Wadekar

Position: Global CPO
Company: Jollibee Group
Employees: 30,000+
Founded: 1978

Kaustubh brings more than 25 years of experience in strategic sourcing, supply chain, commodities trading and strategy consulting to his Global CPO role at Jollibee Group.

Previously, he set up, led and transformed Singtel’s Group Procurement and Supply Chain function with a team of 225 professionals across Singapore and Australia, managing a multi-billion-dollar spend.  

Kaustubh developed his procurement leadership pedigree at Starbucks and Mondelēz International, working in the UK, Switzerland, the US and Hong Kong. 

Discussing his mission at Jollibee’s CPO, he says: “Through responsible sourcing, we aim to build a supply chain that reflects our values: ethics, quality and care.”

1. Sanjay Kumar Gupta

Position: Chief Procurement Officer
Company: Adani Group
Employees: 43,000+
Founded: 1988

Sanjay is a certified leader in strategy, supply chain and procurement.

With more than three decades of experience under his belt, including in roles at Larsen & Toubro and ERA Group, he shapes procurement strategy and drives operational excellence.

Since 2011, Sanjay has held various senior positions across Adani Group, including Senior Vice President and Head of Techno-commercial for APSEZ and Logistics. Today, he serves as Joint President and Chief Procurement Officer. 

Over the years, Sanjay has led the procurement of major commodities such as cement, steel and bitumen, and overseen end-to-end supply chain delivery for complex projects. 

He combines deep SAP and process expertise with optimisation, capacity planning and business execution capability.