Talent management and skills development are never far from the top of a CPO’s list of priorities. As procurement’s focus and scope change, however, so will the skills required to make the team - and each individual on that team - successful in the short and long term. 

In this episode of The Sourcing Hero podcast, Host Kelly Barner is joined by David Hearn. David has led multiple world-wide sourcing, procurement, and supplier management organizations, both in direct materials and indirect categories. He is dedicated to helping indirect procurement groups transform to reach the strategic internal business partner status they have always wanted, as well as working with the individuals that make up those teams reach their full potential.

In this conversation, Dave provides his unique take on leadership and team development:

Whether category expertise or soft skills are more important to him, and how his preference affects his approach to recruiting and talent development

How leaders can use open ended questions to guide their team through complex projects and relationships

The types of validation - or evidence - he looks for to confirm that procurement is meeting the the needs of the business