Top 10: Influential CPOs

In an era where procurement is a strategic powerhouse, the role of Chief Procurement Officers (CPOs) has never been more vital. 

These ten industry leaders are driving transformation, championing sustainability and redefining procurement through digital innovation and strategic vision. From harnessing AI and automation to embedding ESG principles into supply chains, they are shaping the future of procurement on a global scale. Their leadership extends beyond cost savings—these CPOs are influencing policy, fostering supplier collaboration and pioneering new standards for efficiency and impact. 

Meet the top 10 procurement influencers making waves in the industry today.

10. Heather Ostis, CPO at Starbucks

At Starbucks, Heather leads procurement operations, overseeing coffee sourcing from 400,000 farmers across 30 countries.

Her primary focus is removing operational bottlenecks, building stronger ties with suppliers, improving their performance and ensuring a resilient supply network.

9. Sirsij Peshin, CPO at Pfizer

Sirsij stepped into the role of Chief Procurement Officer and Global Lead of Source to Pay at Pfizer in 2024.

With more than two decades at the company, he has held leadership positions throughout Asia, including Japan, China and India. His career also spans roles at Pharmacia & Upjohn, Max India and Ballarpur Industries.

Sirsij earned degrees from Thapar Institute and the University of Kashmir.

8. Hervé Le Faou, CPO at The Heineken Company

7. Nikolaus Kirner, CPO at SAP

Nikolaus leads procurement strategy and operations at SAP as Chief Procurement Officer, transforming business processes and guiding international teams towards ambitious objectives.

Drawing on his extensive experience managing diverse global organisations, he excels at organisational change and building strong commercial foundations. His leadership style emphasises team empowerment, operational excellence and deep client relationships, while fostering an energetic culture focused on delivering results.

6. Amanda Davies, CPO at Mars

As Mars Wrigley’s Chief R&D, Procurement and Sustainability Officer, Amanda drives innovation and environmental stewardship across the organisation’s global operations.

Her distinctive 28-year tenure at Mars bridges commercial strategy, sustainable practices and research advancement. Under her leadership, Mars has achieved remarkable dual success: an 8% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions alongside 60% business growth.

She orchestrates sustainability initiatives across Mars' vast supplier network of 15,000 partners, championing measurable environmental impact through her guiding principle of "performance, not promises."

5. Sally Macaluso, CPO at GE HealthCare

Sally joined GE Healthcare as Chief Procurement Officer in 2023. With more than  20 years of procurement expertise in healthcare, she previously held leadership roles at Johnson & Johnson and Merck.

Among her notable achievements, she has testified before Congress on critical minerals in healthcare and has been a strong advocate for women's leadership in STEM. 

Sally holds a Master’s degree in Chemistry from Lehigh University.

4. Alisa Bornstein, CPO at Visa Europe

Alisa is an experienced and highly recognised multicultural leader in procurement, sustainability and transformation. 

With more than 25 years of international procurement experience, she has a strong track record of leading and transforming procurement organisations, operating effectively cross-borders in mature and emerging markets and functions. 

She is a passionate advocate for value-creating and business-focused procurement, utilising its unique position within the value chain to deliver new sources of value to the business.

3. Andrea Fuder, CPO at Volvo Group

Andrea has been a key member of the executive board at Volvo Group since 2017. As EVP of Volvo Group Purchasing, she leads one of the largest purchasing departments in the world.

Andrea specialises in supplier quality, automotive and indirect purchasing and shaping the future of sustainable transport and infrastructure solutions.

2. Shashi Mandapaty, CPO at Johnson & Johnson

Shashi Mandapaty serves as the Chief Procurement Officer at Johnson & Johnson, guiding the company's procurement strategy to deliver value, quality and innovation through responsible sourcing. 

With a procurement spend exceeding US$30bn, he oversees operations across dozens of categories in more than 100 countries, ensuring the company's supply chain aligns with its commitment to advancing health for humanity.

Shashi’s career spans more than two decades, marked by leadership roles in procurement and supply chain management. Before joining Johnson & Johnson, he held various positions at Procter & Gamble, including Director of Global Procurement and Associate Director of Global IT Purchases, managing significant spends and leading strategic sourcing initiatives.

Shashi’s global perspective is enriched by professional experiences across Asia, Europe and North America, allowing him to adeptly navigate diverse markets and cultures.

1.Thomas Udesen, CPO at Bayer

With a career spanning more than 30 years, Thomas Udesen has built a legacy in procurement, defined by his unwavering commitment to sustainability. As CPO at Bayer, he has played a key role in transforming procurement practices to align with environmental and ethical standards.

Thomas  co-founded the Sustainable Procurement Pledge (SPP) to embed the UN Sustainable Development Goals into procurement by 2030, advocating for industry-wide collaboration. Under his leadership, Bayer has become a founding member of the Together for Sustainability initiative and has committed to significant emissions reductions through the Science-Based Targets initiative.

A strong believer in action over theory, Thomas  champions procurement as a force for good, urging professionals to leverage their decision-making power to drive change. His leadership in decarbonisation and sustainable sourcing continues to inspire procurement professionals worldwide, cementing his position as a top influencer in the industry.

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