Navigating a volatile world with a calm mindset, a collaborative spirit, and a drive for continuous reinvention—that's what true procurement leadership is all about.

In this episode, host Richard McIntosh sits down with Gaël De Martelaere, Head of Direct Procurement at Dow, for a candid exploration of how procurement can thrive in times of disruption and transformation.

Gaël unpacks Dow’s journey as it shifts from relentless cost-out and pandemic-era capacity scrambles to a new era of collaborative, digitally enabled cost reduction. He reveals how a culture built on sustainability, innovation, and inclusion continues to endure, even when the market demands resilience above all.


You’ll learn:

1. How agile, digital procurement adapts to margin pressure and supply volatility
2. What it takes to build a resilient culture—staying true to the long-term ambition while managing the short-term realities
3. How calm, transparent leadership drives focus and clarity when disruption strikes
4. How true supplier collaboration creates value and resilience in an unpredictable market

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Get in touch with Gaël De Martelaere on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gaeldemartelaere/

Gaël’s book recommendation:
Shocks, Crises, and False Alarms by Philipp Carlsson-Szlezak and Paul Swartz | https://www.amazon.de/Shocks-Crises-False-Alarms-Macroeconomic/dp/1647825407

Learn more about Women in Logistics, an initiative to promote gender balance in the logistics sector, on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/women-in-logistics-eu/ or visit the website https://www.essers.com/women-in-logistics-fostering-male-female-parity/

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About the host Richard McIntosh:
Richard McIntosh, Partner at H&Z Management Consulting, has spent over 23 years helping procurement leaders succeed. Richard is an avid rugby fan, and a children's rugby coach, with a passion for helping children to become their best selves through sports. He spends his time outside of work with his wife and children.

Get in touch with Richard McIntosh on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mcintosh-richard/

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The Procurement Initiative Leaders Podcast is powered by H&Z Management Consulting in collaboration with SAWOO.

What if the secret to resilient procurement leadership starts with daring to be vulnerable?

In this episode, host Martina Buchhauser speaks with Dieter Dehoorne, Group Senior Vice President and CPO of Global Procurement at Vestas, about the human side of transformation, and what it takes to lead through uncertainty.

Dieter shares his leap from Volvo to Vestas, navigating a new industry amid global crisis, and the moment he began to question his leadership for the first time in decades. His story doubles as a playbook: how to stay the course by building a strong team, leading with authenticity, and anchoring the function in trust, strategy, and partnership.


You'll learn:

1. Why vulnerability can be a leadership strength in complex environments
2. How to build a high-performing team after a crisis of trust
3. Dieter’s strategy to stay the course: team, clarity and partnerships
4. How to create impact by reducing complexity and strengthening collaboration
5. Why modern procurement needs early and deep supplier collaboration


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Get in touch with Dieter Dehoorne on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dieter-dehoorne-48885623/


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About the host Martina Buchhauser:
Martina Buchhauser is a global leader with extensive knowledge of the automotive industry, and its shift towards sustainable technologies and low-carbon business practices. Her leadership journey includes executive roles in Global Procurement and Supply Chain Networks at General Motors, MAN, BMW, and Volvo Cars, where she served as Chief Procurement Officer and on the management board. She is a senior advisor at H&Z Management Consulting and a non-executive director on several company boards. Martina enjoys hiking, golfing, and skiing, and values time with her family and friends from around the world. She is passionate about leadership and actively engaged in developing and promoting talent.

Get in touch with Martina Buchhauser on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martina-buchhauser/ 

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The Procurement Initiative Leaders Podcast is powered by H&Z Management Consulting in collaboration with SAWOO.

Procurement doesn’t need a rebrand. It needs structure, speed, and people who take ownership.

In this episode, host Mike Jansen sits down with Demetrios Kappos, Management Consultant and former VP Global Procurement at EagleBurgmann, to explore how to shift procurement from a reactive service provider to a structured value driver.

Demetrios speaks plainly about what works—and what doesn’t. For him, transformation begins by separating operational efficiency from strategic effectiveness. It’s about knowing where buyers truly add value, making bold organisational decisions, and empowering teams to drive change—not wait for it.

From practical insights on ERP harmonisation and applying AI as a tool, to clear-headed reflections on leadership, resilience, and volatility, this conversation is as grounded as it is actionable.


You'll learn:

1. Why splitting operational and strategic roles creates real value
2. How to empower teams to lead transformation from within
3. The right (and wrong) ways to apply AI in procurement
4. What building resilience looks like beyond buzzwords
5. How to future-proof procurement with a data- and mission-driven mindset

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Get in touch with Demetrios Kappos on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/demetrios-kappos-94aa94147/


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About the host Mike Jansen:
Mike Jansen is an Associate Partner at H&Z Management Consulting with over a decade of experience enhancing the value that procurement delivers to organisations. Driven by a passion for tackling challenges, Mike thrives on competition—whether with others or himself. Outside of work, Mike enjoys quality time with his wife and children.


Get in touch with Mike Jansen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jansen-mike/

If five purchase orders go wrong, suddenly everyone’s looking at procurement.

That’s the reality Ottobock CPO Gao Kwintmeyer knows well—and it’s why he’s spent his career building a procurement function that delivers far more than just cost savings.

In this episode, host Mike Jansen talks with Gao about what it really takes to lead procurement at a global scale. From navigating supplier quality issues and regulatory complexity to integrating AI with intention, Gao shares how he balances operational excellence with strategic impact. With over 27 years of experience, Gao offers a pragmatic, long-term perspective on elevating procurement’s role in the business—proving its value not just through process, but through purpose.


You’ll learn:

1. How to align procurement’s role with top management’s vision and expectations
2. Why relationship-building still outperforms AI with strategic suppliers
3. When (and when not) to invest in new procurement tech
4. How to tackle regulatory complexity with a pragmatic, risk-based lens
5. What makes a strategic buyer truly valuable in today’s procurement landscape

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Get in touch with Gao Kwintmeyer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gao-kwintmeyer-23890158/


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About the host Mike Jansen:
Mike Jansen is an Associate Partner at H&Z Management Consulting with over a decade of experience enhancing the value that procurement delivers to organisations. Driven by a passion for tackling challenges, Mike thrives on competition—whether with others or himself. Outside of work, Mike enjoys quality time with his wife and children.


Get in touch with Mike Jansen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jansen-mike/

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The Procurement Initiative Leaders Podcast is powered by H&Z Management Consulting in collaboration with SAWOO.

How do you turn a clunky ERP-based procurement process into a driver of >10% savings?

In this episode, host Richard McIntosh speaks with Alexander Pilsl, Director Procurement at TeamViewer, about how modern procurement orchestration can directly drive measurable business value. Alexander shares how his team replaced a legacy ERP-based process with a flexible orchestration layer—unlocking transparency, early engagement, and savings by involving procurement early.

With a focus on stakeholder-led tech selection, agile iteration, and user adoption, Alexander outlines the factors that helped TeamViewer move fast. He also discusses how the team managed organisational change, streamlined approval paths, and began shifting focus toward AI, spend management, and business-aligned communication.


You'll learn:

1. How orchestration technology helped TeamViewer embed procurement earlier and drive measurable impact
2. How engaging stakeholders in the RFP process boosted tool adoption and ownership
3. How over-involving people in workflows created bottlenecks—and what fixed it
4. How TeamViewer used process data to move from P2P to proactive spend management
5. Why ditching procurement-speak helps CPOs influence business decisions

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Get in touch with Alexander Pilsl on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexanderpilsl/


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About the host Richard McIntosh:
Richard McIntosh, Partner at H&Z Management Consulting, has spent over 23 years helping procurement leaders succeed. Richard is an avid rugby fan, and a children's rugby coach, with a passion for helping children to become their best selves through sports. He spends his time outside of work with his wife and children.

Get in touch with Richard McIntosh on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mcintosh-richard/

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The Procurement Initiative Leaders Podcast is powered by H&Z Management Consulting in collaboration with SAWOO. 

What happens when procurement evolves from being transaction-focused to becoming a true business partner? Find out in this episode.

Host Richard McIntosh speaks with Milind Tailor, Global Head, Resale Products & Services Procurement at Diebold Nixdorf, about the transformative journey of procurement business partnering. Milind shares how procurement can go beyond cost-cutting to build trust, foster supplier innovation, and align with business goals to drive revenue and operational excellence.


You'll learn:

1. How Procurement Business Partnering serves as an operating model to align procurement with strategic business goals
2. How to use the Supplier Performance Index as a governance tool to evaluate and enhance supplier relationships
3. Why the Trust Equation is vital for building strong stakeholder and supplier alliances
4. The role of a balanced scorecard in measuring procurement’s impact beyond cost
5. Essential advice for starting and excelling in a procurement career

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Get in touch with Milind Tailor on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/milind-deepak-tailor/

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Details about Diebold Nixdorf:
Website: https://DieboldNixdorf.com
Industry: IT Services and IT Consulting
Company size: 10,001+ employees
Headquarters: North Canton, Ohio
Founded: 1859

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About the host Richard McIntosh:
Richard McIntosh, Partner at H&Z Management Consulting, has spent over 23 years helping procurement leaders succeed. Richard is an avid rugby fan, and a children's rugby coach, with a passion for helping children to become their best selves through sports. He spends his time outside of work with his wife and children.

Get in touch with Richard McIntosh on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mcintosh-richard/

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The Procurement Initiative Leaders Podcast is powered by H&Z Management Consulting in collaboration with SAWOO. 

At Bosch, governance significantly contributes to business success, and actively supports purchasing teams by integrating compliance and functional excellence.

Martina Buchhauser speaks with Dr. Thomas Schulte, Head of Governance Supply Chain Management Purchasing at Bosch, about how governance acts as a "license to operate" in procurement. Dr. Schulte outlines Bosch’s collaborative approach—working with business unit representatives to analyse regulations and embed practical compliance solutions into everyday operations. From managing dual-sourcing complexities to advancing sustainability through circularity, Bosch’s governance model fosters adaptability, strategic risk management, and resilience, all driven by a top-level commitment to sustainable growth.


You'll learn:

1. Bosch’s unique governance model that fosters compliance and functional excellence
2. Strategic insights into dual-sourcing and regionalisation for balanced risk management
3. How Bosch integrates circularity and sustainability within procurement processes
4. Why top-down commitment is essential to embedding sustainability in corporate culture
5. The importance of cross-functional role rotation to drive governance acceptance and collaboration

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Get in touch with Dr. Thomas Schulte on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-thomas-schulte-989aa1243/?originalSubdomain=de

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Details about Bosch:
Website: https://www.bosch.com
Industry: Software Development
Company size: 10,001+ employees
Headquarters: Gerlingen-Schillerhöhe, Germany
Founded: 1886

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About the host Martina Buchhauser:
Martina Buchhauser is a global leader with extensive knowledge of the automotive industry, and its shift towards sustainable technologies and low-carbon business practices. Her leadership journey includes executive roles in Global Procurement and Supply Chain Networks at General Motors, MAN, BMW, and Volvo Cars, where she served as Chief Procurement Officer and on the management board. She is a senior advisor at H&Z Management Consulting and a non-executive director on several company boards. Martina enjoys hiking, golfing, and skiing, and values time with her family and friends from around the world. She is passionate about leadership and actively engaged in developing and promoting talent.

Get in touch with Martina Buchhauser on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martina-buchhauser/

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The Procurement Initiative Leaders Podcast is powered by H&Z Management Consulting in collaboration with SAWOO. 

Is your procurement strategy stuck in the past? Discover how to transform category management and drive real strategic impact.

In this episode, Richard McIntosh speaks with Detlef Schultz, award-winning procurement leader and co-founder of akirolabs, about the evolution of category management. Drawing from his vast experience as former CEO and current Board Chairperson of Vodafone Procurement Company, Detlef explains how procurement can shift from cost-cutting to strategic value creation. He shares insights on using data and technology to drive dynamic, scenario-driven strategies that meet the demands of today’s business environment.


You’ll learn:

1. Why traditional category management models no longer fit the needs of modern businesses
2. How data and AI can transform procurement into a strategic powerhouse
3. The crucial role of procurement in driving value beyond cost savings
4. How to transition from static categories to dynamic, scenario-based procurement strategies

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Get in touch with Detlef Schultz on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/detlef-schultz-74a6409/

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Details about akirolabs:
Website: https://akirolabs.com/
Industry: IT Services and IT Consulting
Company size: 11-50 employees
Headquarters: Berlin
Founded: 2021

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About the host Richard McIntosh:
Richard McIntosh, Partner at H&Z Management Consulting, has spent over 23 years helping procurement leaders succeed. Richard is an avid rugby fan, and a children's rugby coach, with a passion for helping children to become their best selves through sports. He spends his time outside of work with his wife and children.

Get in touch with Richard McIntosh on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mcintosh-richard/

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The Procurement Initiative Leaders Podcast is powered by H&Z Management Consulting in collaboration with SAWOO. 

Ready to embrace sustainable procurement? Discover how circular value chains and secondary materials can revolutionise your supply chain.

In this episode, host Richard McIntosh welcomes Matthias Ballweg, Co-founder of CIRCULAR REPUBLIC, to discuss circular value chains and secondary materials. Matthias reveals the significance of circularity and shares actionable strategies for companies to kickstart their sustainable procurement journey.

You'll learn:

1. What circularity and secondary materials are and why they are important
2. How secondary materials are being used in various industries
3. Strategies for integrating secondary materials into procurement
4. The role of start-ups and innovation in driving circularity
5. The impact of regulations on circular value chains

To start your journey towards circularity, download the whitepaper titled, "Secondary Material Sourcing" – a collaboration between H&Z Management Consulting and CIRCULAR REPUBLIC: https://hz.group/insights/publications/discover-the-future-of-sustainability-with-the-circular-economy

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Get in touch with Matthias Ballweg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthias-ballweg/

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Details about CIRCULAR REPUBLIC:
Website: www.circular-republic.org
Industry: Environmental Services
Company size: 15 employees
Headquarters: Munich, Bavaria
Founded: 2023

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About the host Richard McIntosh:
Richard McIntosh, Partner at H&Z Management Consulting, has spent over 23 years helping procurement leaders succeed. Richard is an avid rugby fan, and a children's rugby coach, with a passion for helping children to become their best selves through sports. He spends his time outside of work with his wife and children.

Get in touch with Richard McIntosh on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mcintosh-richard/

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The Procurement Initiative Leaders Podcast is powered by H&Z Management Consulting in collaboration with SAWOO. 

Combining ambitious goals and solid strategies is where procurement 'magic' happens.

Join host Martina Buchhauser as she talks to Lovisa Söderholm, Senior Vice President of Purchasing at Volvo Penta, about driving procurement success. Lovisa shares insights on the dual objectives of cost and CO₂ reduction, emphasising the significance of engagement, cross-functional collaboration, and clear communication.


You'll learn:

1. How to accomplish cost and CO₂ reductions simultaneously
2. The importance of engagement, cross-functional collaboration, and clear communication
3. The impact of setting high targets and anchoring them in a solid strategy

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Get in touch with Lovisa Söderholm on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lovisasoderholm/

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About the host Martina Buchhauser:
Martina Buchhauser is a global leader with extensive knowledge of the automotive industry, and its shift towards sustainable technologies and low-carbon business practices. Her leadership journey includes executive roles in Global Procurement and Supply Chain Networks at General Motors, MAN, BMW, and Volvo Cars, where she served as Chief Procurement Officer and on the management board. She is a senior advisor at H&Z Management Consulting and a non-executive director on several company boards. Martina enjoys hiking, golfing, and skiing, and values time with her family and friends from around the world. She is passionate about leadership and actively engaged in developing and promoting talent.

Get in touch with Martina Buchhauser on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martina-buchhauser/

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The Procurement Initiative Leaders Podcast is powered by H&Z Management Consulting in collaboration with SAWOO.