Strategic sourcing is a vital element of procurement and wider supply chain management – and can ultimately drive organisational success. 

Trailblazers in this space are reshaping their efforts through innovation, sustainability and digital transformation, rolling out initiatives that optimise costs and create long-term value. 

Procurement Magazine takes a look at the top 10 leaders whose efforts in the realm of strategic sourcing are deserving of recognition.

10: Kevin Brown – Chief Supply Chain Officer, Dell Technologies

Kevin Brown from Dell is driving digital transformation initiatives within the supply chain, implementing advanced analytics, AI and optimising operations.

He has three decades of leadership experience under his belt across operations, technology and procurement.

Throughout his professional career, Kevin has focused on strategic and transformative initiatives, innovations and partnerships to increase efficiency, savings and effectiveness.

9: Tania Seary – Founder, Procurious

Tania Seary is a prominent figure in the procurement world known for founding Procurious, a global online community for procurement and supply chain professionals.

Her innovative approach to networking and knowledge-sharing has revolutionised how procurement professionals connect and learn from each other. Tania's influence extends beyond Procurious, as she is a frequent speaker and thought leader in the procurement space.

She has been instrumental in promoting the strategic importance of procurement within organisations and advocating for the professional development of procurement practitioners.

8: Cyril Pourrat - Founder and CEO, BT Sourced

Cyril Pourrat has made significant strides in transforming procurement practices at BT. As the founder of BT Sourced, he has spearheaded the creation of a standalone procurement company within BT Group.

Cyril’s innovative approach focuses on leveraging cutting-edge technologies and fostering a startup mentality to drive efficiency and value creation in procurement operations.

He has been instrumental in implementing AI and machine learning solutions to enhance procurement processes and decision-making. His leadership has also emphasised sustainability and ethical sourcing, aligning BT's procurement practices with its broader corporate social responsibility goals.

7: Lisa Martin – Senior Vice President and Chief Procurement Officer, GSK

Lisa Martin has been a transformative leader in GSK's procurement function, driving significant changes to align procurement with the company's overall business strategy. 

She is the figurehead behind the company’s strategic sourcing efforts and procurement of all purchased goods and services at GSK, while taking charge of GSK’s real estate and facilities portfolio, which entail 265 sites and 36 millions square feet.

In 2013 Lisa was awarded the J. Shipman Gold Medal for her service to the supply management profession.

6: Ernest Nicolas - Chief Supply Chain Officer, HP

As HP's Chief Supply Chain Officer, Ernest Nicolas oversees a supply chain which delivers more than 100 million products to customers each year through a sophisticated network of HP and ODM factories, logistics providers and other valued partners.

Ernest drives social and environmental sustainability efforts which are tied directly to HP’s global reputation and business growth.

5: Karen-Marie Jordan – Chief Supply Chain Officer, PepsiCo

Karen-Marie Jordan has played an instrumental role in transforming PepsiCo's global supply chain.

Her leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic ensured supply continuity while prioritising employee safety.

With Karen-Marie’s direction, advanced analytics and AI initiatives have significantly improved operational efficiency at PepsiCo.

She is a keen advocate of sustainability and talent development, demonstrating a comprehensive approach to supply chain management.

4: Jim Connell, Chief Procurement Officer and Head of Global Supplier Services, JPMorgan Chase

Jim Connell, earns his spot among procurement’s top strategic sourcing leaders thanks to his commitment to innovation.

In 2023, JPMorgan Chase's diverse supplier spending supported almost 14,000 new jobs and US$1.1bn in employee income, contributing to a stronger, more inclusive economy. 

Jim's commitment to closing the racial wealth gap, fostering a community for sharing diverse supplier lists and driving AI adoption in procurement showcases his strategic vision and forward-thinking leadership.

3: Daniel Coe – Chief Procurement Officer & President of Supply Chain Services, The Coca-Cola Company

As The Coca-Cola Company's CPO, Daniel Coe is responsible for managing more than US$35bn in annual spend. 

He also leads The Coca-Cola Company’s procurement portfolios for agricultural commodities, equipment, logistics, marketing, general and administrative, IT, procurement analytics and supplier diversity.

Since 2017, Daniel has contributed to Coca-Cola’s strategic vision, helping the organisation to maintain its position as a leader in the beverage industry while adapting to rapidly-changing market conditions.

His ability to balance innovation with operational excellence has been key to Coca-Cola's continued success in a highly-competitive market.

What’s more, Daniel serves as Vice Chairman of Coca-Cola’s Cross Enterprise Procurement Group (CEPG). 

2: Willem Uijen – Chief Procurement Officer, Unilever

Willem Uijen's leadership in strategic sourcing at Unilever is defined by his commitment to sustainability, innovation and collaboration.

He promotes "procurement with purpose," aligning sourcing strategies with Unilever's sustainability goals and emphasising partnerships with suppliers who share this vision.

Willem's approach focuses on creating an ecosystem of partners, integrating advanced technologies to enhance sourcing capabilities and tailoring procurement strategies to meet specific business unit needs.

His leadership balances cost efficiency with sustainable practices, ensuring that Unilever's sourcing decisions positively impact both business performance and environmental impact.

1: Thomas Udesen – Chief Procurement Officer, Bayer

Thomas Udesen has been a driving force in transforming Bayer's procurement function, aligning it closely with the company's overall business strategy.

His leadership has focused on leveraging digital technologies to enhance procurement processes, implementing advanced analytics for better decision-making and fostering innovation through strategic supplier partnerships.

Thomas has been instrumental in Bayer's efforts to create a more sustainable and ethical supply chain, championing initiatives to reduce environmental impact and ensure responsible sourcing.

He is also a co-founder of the Sustainable Procurement Pledge, demonstrating his commitment to driving industry-wide change. Thomas' strategic vision extends to talent development, promoting diversity and inclusion within the procurement organisation.

His ability to balance cost optimisation with value creation has been crucial in supporting Bayer's mission to deliver innovative solutions in health and nutrition.

To read the full story in the magazine, click HERE.

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