PROCUREMENT TECHNOLOGY
This evolution ensures procurement delivers not only financial benefits but also resilience and sustainability aligned with IAG’ s long-term objectives.
Q. YOUR CAREER SPANS HEALTHCARE, PHARMA AND AVIATION – HOW HAVE THESE DIVERSE SECTORS SHAPED YOUR APPROACH TO PROCUREMENT LEADERSHIP?
» Each sector operates under distinct regulatory, operational and market dynamics, which taught me the importance of adaptability and strategic thinking. In healthcare and pharma, forecasting must adhere to the guidelines set by Medical Device and Medicines Authorities, which require long-term planning to meet market demands while ensuring alignment with local compliance regulations.
Aviation, on the other hand, demands agility, cost optimisation and innovation at scale, which reinforced the need for digital transformation and collaborative partnerships.
“ The future of procurement lies in intelligent, sustainable and collaborative ecosystems – and IAG is leading the way”
Javier Escalera Orobón, VP Procurement – Cargo, IAG
Combining these insights, I approach procurement as a value-driven function – balancing efficiency, resilience and sustainability while fostering innovation to meet evolving business needs.
Q. WHAT COMMON CHALLENGES OR OPPORTUNITIES HAVE YOU OBSERVED ACROSS INDUSTRIES WHEN IT COMES TO SUPPLIER COLLABORATION AND TALENT DEVELOPMENT?
» Across sectors, the biggest challenge is balancing cost efficiency with strategic value creation. Many organisations still view suppliers as transactional partners rather than innovation enablers.
The opportunity lies in shifting toward co-innovation models, where suppliers contribute to sustainability, digitalisation and agility. On talent development, the common thread is the need for digital fluency and crossfunctional collaboration skills – critical for navigating complex global supply chains.
Q. HOW HAS YOUR ACADEMIC WORK AS A UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR INFLUENCED YOUR LEADERSHIP STYLE OR STRATEGIC THINKING?
» Teaching has reinforced the importance of clarity, curiosity and continuous learning. Academia demands structured thinking and the ability to simplify complex concepts – skills that translate directly into leadership.
It also keeps me close to emerging trends and fresh perspectives, which helps me challenge conventional approaches and foster a culture of innovation within procurement teams.
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