How did you get into this field – was it purposeful or by accident?
At Goodyear, my first engineering manager was promoted into the Global Purchasing organization. Within a short period of time he gave me the opportunity to join his team as a buyer where I became hooked on procurement, negotiations and sourcing and I have never left the profession.
In what ways do you hope to influence or transform the industry?
I intend to transform procurement to be seen as a trusted business partner that provides value through creative solutions that enable the right suppliers provide the right goods and services at the right price and time. Through this journey I will influence the next generation of procurement leaders to eliminate waste and focus on continuous improvement.
Who are the mentors or role models who have guided you in your career?
I have had the privilege of working for and with multiple mentors throughout my career. Specifically, Juan Molina, Tom Henderson, John Schiavone, Jean Dockman, Frank Corris, and Brue AmEnde have shaped my perspectives and uniquely demonstrated how procurement can be a trusted business partner that delivers real business value while always maintaining the highest levels of integrity.
What is something you wish more people knew about the sourcing and procurement industry?
I wish more people realized that procurement and sourcing professionals are not focused on price alone, but we are focused on providing the best business value which involves many factors outside of price. In addition, I wish more people understood the importance of quality spend data to enable effective upstream sourcing. Quality data is key to making good decisions.
Looking ahead, what trends do you think will emerge in the sourcing and procurement space?
The adoption of artificial intelligence and mobile technology to eliminate non-value added processes and enable better and faster business decisions.
What advice do you have for those who are considering a career in sourcing or procurement?
Focus on being an active listener and understanding, as opposed to being understood by others. Many times you will not have the right answers, but effective listening and asking questions to better understand your business partners will foster positive workplace relationships that will lead to better results.
