GAËL DE MARTELAERE
CONTRACT MANAGEMENT In practice, that means looking beyond the contract and asking what can be done jointly to get equipment repaired, an alternative supply secured or materials redirected as fast as possible.
“ Even if a supplier gets into an issue, it’ s important to think outside of the box about how you can collaborate with your supplier. Evaluate how jointly you can resolve issues,” says Gaël.“ Then, get into your commercial side to seek damages if the situation comes to that, but work together first to problem solve.”
The balance between partnership and pressure is what separates a transactional procurement function from a strategic one.
GAËL DE MARTELAERE
TITLE: CPO COMPANY: HEXION
INDUSTRY: CHEMICAL MANUFACTURING
LOCATION: ZURICH, SWITZERLAND
Gaël leads the supply chain and procurement functions at Hexion, based in Switzerland. He has been with Hexion since 2025. Before that, he held various leadership roles in supply chain and procurement at Dow for 23 years in Belgium, the Netherlands, the USA and Switzerland.
104 August 2026