Episódios
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In this episode of Smarter Sourcing, John speaks with Carlos Maceda, Chief Supply Chain Officer at Mount Sinai Health System. They discuss the evolution of leadership in a post-pandemic landscape, with Carlos emphasizing the importance of mentorship and maintaining team morale, while also holding teams accountable.
Carlos shares his personal journey to his current role, highlighting key lessons learned in supply chain management and contingency planning, including the need for proactive, quick decision-making when potential issues loom on the horizon.
Topics discussed:
How leadership styles must adapt in a post-pandemic world to maintain team morale and productivity.The significance of mentorship in guiding junior team members and fostering a supportive work environment.The challenges of managing a remote workforce, including strategies for effective communication and collaboration.The need for proactive resource planning and quick decision-making, especially when potential issues loom on the horizon.Tight budgets in healthcare and how they impact supply chain decisions and job security.The importance of analyzing large data sets to drive decisions and improve supply chain efficiency.The significance of building strong relationships with vendors and the benefits of mentoring them into fields they might not have seen.The challenge of maintaining work-life balance in a demanding industry, particularly in remote settings. -
In this episode of Smarter Sourcing, John speaks with Colette Crandall, Director of Procurement at One Medical, an Amazon subsidiary. Colette shares her inspiring journey to her current role, highlighting the importance of maintaining a human touch even as technology advances. She touches on the integration of AI in procurement processes, the thorough vetting required for new vendors to ensure data security, and the evolving landscape of healthcare technology.
Colette also offers unique insights into how her improvisational skills from a theater background have proven invaluable in contract negotiations and team management. This episode is a must-listen for those interested in the future of healthcare procurement and technology.
Topics discussed:
The importance of maintaining personal interactions despite the increasing reliance on technology in healthcare.How AI is transforming procurement processes, making them more efficient and data-driven.The rigorous vetting process for new vendors, including extensive questionnaires to ensure data security and compliance.The unique ways One Medical integrates technology to improve patient care and streamline operations.Colette’s approach to managing her team, including regular meetings and fostering an environment of continuous learning.How the supply chain strategy pivots based on external factors, such as increasing order quantities in response to demand changes.The value of soft skills like communication and adaptability in a tech-driven world, especially for younger professionals.Colette’s vision for the future, focusing on the integration of new technologies and maintaining ethical standards in procurement. -
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In this episode of Smarter Sourcing, John speaks with Heleen Du Toit, VP of Procurement, Rigid Packaging at PepsiCo. Heleen shares her perspective on the vital role of balancing experience and skills for career growth. She touches on the importance of tactical empathy in negotiation, drawing from Chris Voss's book Never Split the Difference.
Heleen also discusses the future of sourcing and procurement, emphasizing a shift from cost to value through the use of market intelligence and artificial intelligence. She offers valuable insights on leadership, negotiation, and adapting to the evolving landscape of the industry, along with practical advice and forward-thinking strategies.
Topics discussed:
The importance of balancing hands-on experience with a strong skill set for continued career growth and adaptability in the industry.Insights on negotiation strategies, emphasizing the concept of tactical empathy.Developing strong operational skills and the ability to solve complex problems as key components for success in procurement.The shift from focusing purely on cost to emphasizing value and leveraging market intelligence and artificial intelligence in procurement.Investing in diverse, highly talented teams and matching the right people to the right roles to drive business success.How the pandemic has changed the strategic role of procurement and sourcing within companies, emphasizing agility and responsiveness.The importance of ongoing education, mentoring, and adapting to new business strategies and technological advancements.The necessity of a strong understanding of how actions drive business growth and margin, integrating cost models and macroeconomics. -
In this episode of Smarter Sourcing, John speaks with Adam Cummins, Principal & Director of Portfolio Procurement at The Carlyle Group. Adam shares valuable insights into the importance of creating mutual win-win initiatives, emphasizing the need for engagements that benefit all stakeholders.
Adams touches on how technology and automation, including AI and machine learning, are revolutionizing decision-making and efficiency in procurement processes. He also discusses the evolving criteria for talent in the industry, highlighting the growing importance of tech-savvy professionals.
Topics discussed:
The strategic importance of procurement in modern business and how it impacts overall company performance.Emphasis on creating engagement strategies that benefit all stakeholders, ensuring sustainable and successful collaborations.How AI and machine learning are transforming decision-making and efficiency in procurement processes.The changing criteria for sourcing and procurement roles, focusing on the need for tech-savvy professionals.Addressing the struggles these companies face in understanding the value of procurement and implementing effective strategies.Best practices and lessons learned in the industry to help improve procurement processes and outcomes.How procurement strategies are tailored to meet the needs of various portfolio companies within The Carlyle Group.Leveraging data and analytics to drive better procurement decisions and optimize supply chain operations. -
In this episode of Smarter Sourcing, John speaks with Rick Harrison, founder and host of the TV series Pawn Stars and the founder of the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop. Rick shares his journey from humble beginnings to becoming a household name in the pawn industry thanks to his international hit show Pawn Stars.
He discusses the importance of media strategy in elevating his business and how leveraging media appearances led to the success of his TV show. Rick also emphasizes the importance of honesty and reputation in building a long-lasting business. Additionally, he provides insights into the role of strategic marketing in gaining public trust and the necessity of adapting to new technologies to stay competitive.
Topics discussed:
The hurdles Rick overcame in obtaining the necessary licenses to open a pawn shop and the legal battles involved.Insights into working with his father and the challenges they faced in establishing their first pawn shop.How Rick used media appearances to generate publicity and boost his business, eventually leading to the creation of Pawn Stars.The importance of maintaining honesty and a good reputation in transactions to build long-term business relationships and success.How the Internet and AI have transformed the pawnbroking business, making it easier to source items and stay informed on market trends.The extensive training programs for employees, including specialized courses on various valuable items like watches and collectibles.Rick’s stories of some of the most memorable and profitable transactions he has made over the years. -
In this episode of Smarter Sourcing, John speaks with Bill Courtney, 7x CFO & Senior Financial Executive, about his extensive experience in procurement and sourcing across various industries. Bill reflects on his time at companies like Ford, Hertz, and Delta, highlighting the challenges faced and the strategic decisions made during critical periods such as 9/11 and the COVID-19 pandemic.
They dive into the importance of simplifying complex processes, the impact of leadership in driving organizational change, and the evolving role of Chief Procurement Officers.
Topics discussed:
Bill Courtney's journey as a CFO from Ford to Hertz, Delta, and CWT, highlighting leadership lessons, challenges overcome, and strategic decision-making.The critical role of procurement during crises like 9/11 and the COVID-19 pandemic in managing suppliers and costs.The importance of simplifying complexity and fostering partnerships to drive organizational success.The impact of mergers and acquisitions on procurement processes and the need for efficient integration of backend systems.Lessons learned about leadership, compassion, and making tough decisions during company turnarounds and bankruptcies.The evolution of the Chief Procurement Officer role, including increased importance after crises such as 9/11 and COVID-19. -
In this episode of the Smarter Sourcing podcast, John sits down with Ulunda Baker, Senior Director, Business Diversity, Category Management & Sourcing, Purchasing at TIAA, who shares her inspiring career journey. Ulunda discusses the importance of strategic sourcing and supplier relationships in achieving business goals.
She also explores her leadership approach and the value of teamwork and continuous learning. Through personal anecdotes and professional experiences, Ulunda underscores the significance of giving back to the community and fostering diversity in the corporate world.
Topics discussed:
The significance of strategic sourcing in achieving business objectives and the transformative power of well-managed supplier relationships.Ulunda's leadership approach is focused on mentorship and continuous learning, shaped by her upbringing.The impact of community outreach programs, including Ulunda's family nonprofit.How supplier diversity not only enriches procurement processes but also enhances overall business resilience.The evolving landscape of sourcing practices, particularly during challenging times like the pandemic.Why diversity contributes to innovation and competitiveness in the industry. -
In this episode of the Smarter Sourcing podcast, John speaks with Anna Hammons, Senior Director, Procurement at Sam's Club, about her day-to-day experience in procurement, as well as what characteristics she looks for when building her team.
Anna also talked about how before the COVID-19 pandemic, contingency planning was to simply "figure it out," but now it requires much more planning. They also discuss how Sam's Club is looking to incorporate more technology and to be more sustainable.
***The comments are the views of Anna Hammons and do not necessarily reflect the views of Walmart or Sam’s Club***
Topics discussed:
What procurement really looks like – it's more than just purchasing.Risk management in the context of adopting new technology and partnering with startups. What a procurement leader should look for when building their team. How Sam's Club is looking for ways to be more sustainable while also incorporating new technologies.How contingency planning has changed since the COVID-19 pandemic: having a backup is more important than ever.What Founder Sam Walton would think of the company if he could see it today. -
In this episode of the Smarter Sourcing podcast, John speaks with 11x CFO Raymond Silcock, about Raymond's career in procurement and supply chain management, including at Diamond Foods, CTI Foods, Perrigo, and Neptune Wellness.
Raymond gives examples of the various international supply chains he has seen and how even a few hours made a difference in pricing of a product. In particular, they discussed the challenges a supply chain might face and how Raymond and the companies he worked with addressed those challenges.
Topics discussed:
How the Campbell's Soup meatpacking supply chain was heavily influenced by politics and the requirements of shipping perishable goods.The challenges of having international workers and how Raymond helped address them while working at a company located on the US-Mexico border.How Swift Armour used triangulation to manipulate the profitability of its Argentina branch.How deeply a company has to dig into the cost base of a product to make sense of the numbers.Putting costs into the context of global events such as a pandemic internally and externally to your company.How sometimes it's better to learn from your mistakes than it is to always have a backup plan. -
In this episode of the Smarter Sourcing podcast, John speaks with Bobby Lavan, CFO at Bowlero Corporation. They discuss Bowlero's procurement strategy, how its various vendors have been built up over 27 years, its decentralized approach, and how they're consolidating for cost efficiencies. They also talk about the challenges of implementing technology, why they're focused on performance marketing, and why personalization is the future of entertainment.
Topics discussed:
How Bowlero has managed their procurement streams that have been built up over 27 years.Why they encourage everyone with a hand in procurement to think about spending every dollar as if it's their own.The challenge of technology implementation, and whether it's a cost center or an efficiency driver.Bowlero's decentralized approach to procurement and how they track every dollar.Why technology companies and their changing pricing strategies keep Bobby up at night.Why personalization powered by technology will shape the future of customer experiences.Why they're focused on performance marketing and practices that drive returns. -
In this episode of the Smarter Sourcing podcast, recorded at the ICR Conference, John speaks with Lara Smith Weber, CFO at Inari, a company creating more sustainable seeds. They discuss how Inari is working on its mission to "seed change for a renewed Earth" by genetically changing plants to be more sustainable, how it supplies the market, and the challenges of being supply-constrained. They also talk about how to build a procurement strategy by defining what's "good" for your company, what to look for in new hires, and how new technologies like AI and data lakes can set companies apart.
Topics discussed:
How Inari seeks to balance financial, risk management, and sustainability in their procurement processes.Where Inari sits in the supply chain and how it gets its seed to farmers.The challenges of being supply-constrained with the time it takes to grow more product.Why the best procurement strategy is based on what "good" looks like for your company — not your competition's.How new technologies like AI and data lakes can help improve procurement and operations, and set a company apart.Why you should look for new talent who can "connect the dots" and see cross-functional impacts. -
In this episode of the Smarter Sourcing podcast, John speaks with Miguel Gonzalez, Chief Procurement Officer at DuPont. They discuss how DuPont takes a centralized approach to its procurement strategy by integrating it across the business, and how they're building supply chain resilience through redundancies and contingency plans. They also talk about their three priorities for procurement, the rising importance of ESG, and how DuPont is prioritizing employee health and wellness.
Topics discussed:
How DuPont builds supply chain resilience through redundancy and contingency plans.The three priorities in their procurement strategy: compliance, supply security, and creating value.Why DuPont prioritizes employee health and wellness, and how Miguel leads by example.How they model for what's happening worldwide to anticipate changes or disruptions.How they've structured a centralized procurement approach that integrates procurement across the business.The rising importance of ESG and why it should be part of everyone's job.Why procurement leaders need to think about managing indirect costs as well. -
In our first episode of the Smarter Sourcing podcast, recorded at the ICR Conference, John speaks with Marc Suidan, CFO at The Beachbody Company, a health and fitness company. They discuss Marc's career evolution to CFO, what drew him to Beachbody, and how Beachbody functions as an organization — including its centralized procurement process for its nutrition arm. They also discuss the practices that make a company agile and fast-moving, how to leverage customer data for better decision-making, and the three initiatives that are propelling Beachbody into the future.
Topics discussed:
The fundamentals of The Beachbody Company, how it functions, and why Marc was drawn to become its CFO.How tracking customer behavior is easier through a streaming platform and how Beachbody uses data to drive better outcomes.How the centralized procurement process for Beachbody's nutrition arm works.Why the threat of cyber attack keeps Marc up at night.The common practices that make companies more agile, fast-moving, and successful.The three initiatives Beachbody has focused on for its transformation.The challenges a connected fitness company faces in terms of manufacturing, inventory, and shipping versus one with just a streaming platform.
