EXECUTIVE INSIGHT
categories can be optimised for effectiveness and efficiency . I train my teams to scrutinise all spend , even legitimate expenses , through this lens : Can it be eliminated ? Automated ? Transferred ? Outsourced ? Does it have to be done by us ? This approach helps separate strategic activities from transactional ones . Also , not everything requires a formal RFP process ; you can create competition and fair choices using different tools . The key is to first assess the ‘ hunting ground ’ – what we buy and where the money goes . Then , establish a strategy that aligns with the company ’ s core competency . To contribute to the core competency , I focus on :
• Building and upskilling the team
• Bringing in suppliers with the right core competencies
• Introducing alternative approaches
• Providing market intelligence
• Exploring different geographies for service delivery It ’ s really about combining different approaches and ways of thinking to generate value across the organisation .
Q . WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO ANYONE LOOKING TO BECOME A CPO ONE DAY ?
» Have fun with it ! Procurement is an incredibly diverse field . Throughout your career , you ’ ll visit data centres , distribution centres and contact centres . You ’ ll source everything from water to private jets and work with brilliant people across numerous industries . Every day brings new surprises and challenges . My favourite moments , especially in leadership roles , involve tackling massive tasks with my team . Picture this : we ’ re in a room with a blank whiteboard , markers in hand , tasked with building a new strategy . It ’ s that beautiful moment when energies collide and creativity sparks . Someone says a word , another writes a sentence , someone else creates a visual – and suddenly , magic happens . You might enter the room with nothing , but you leave with a plan , a vision . Then comes the exciting part : making it happen . You inspire people , communicate your vision , secure budgets and find resources to implement it . The result ? You ’ ve created something that will bring positive impact to the business . This field offers endless opportunities for innovation and problem-solving . Embrace the diversity , enjoy the challenges and always be ready to think creatively . That ’ s the path to becoming a successful CPO .
Throughout her career , Natasha has consistently delivered tangible , measurable results for
FORTUNE 200 COMPANIES
Her achievements include designing processes that led to dramatic cost reductions and spearheading the centralisation of previously fragmented functions
40 November 2024