
Ep. 5 - CPO Mindset 101: Purpose, Kindness, Pre-emptive Action, and Learning from Failure with Neil Marsons
05/20/24 • 29 min
In the highly pressurised world of procurement and supply chain, it's easy to lose sight of the things that matter: kindness, humility, and the odd 'Thank you' here and there.
In this episode, we welcome Neil Marsons, who shares some of the invaluable knowledge he has gleaned from his impressive career in procurement and supply chain.
Neil touches on the essential mindset characteristics CPOs need for a successful career, as well as how to transform procurement into a value-adding business component rather than a reactive function. He also touches on the power of learning from failure, and how kindness and strong relationships can significantly impact an organization's success.
You'll learn:
1. How to shift from reactive to proactive procurement
2. The importance of learning from failures
3. The impact of strong supplier relationships
4. Why kindness is crucial in leadership
5. The role of procurement in sustainability and its contribution to society
___________
Get in touch with Neil Marsons on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neil-marsons-9776836/
___________
About the host Martina Buchhauser:
Martina Buchhauser is a global leader with a profound knowledge of the automotive industry and its shift towards new and sustainable technologies and the imperative for a responsible and low-carbon business. Her leadership journey has encompassed executive roles in Global Procurement and Supply Chain Networks at General Motors, MAN, BMW, and Volvo Cars, where she until recently served as the Chief Procurement Officer and on the management board. She is a senior advisor of H&Z Management Consulting and is a non-executive director on several company boards. Martina very much enjoys being outside in nature – that’s why she loves hiking, golfing, and skiing. Her family and her friends from all over the world play an important role to her, and experiencing life together with them is the greatest joy. Martina is passionate about leadership and has been very engaged in developing and promoting talent.
Get in touch with Martina Buchhauser on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martina-buchhauser/
___________
The Procurement Initiative Leaders Podcast is powered by H&Z Management Consulting in collaboration with SAWOO.
In the highly pressurised world of procurement and supply chain, it's easy to lose sight of the things that matter: kindness, humility, and the odd 'Thank you' here and there.
In this episode, we welcome Neil Marsons, who shares some of the invaluable knowledge he has gleaned from his impressive career in procurement and supply chain.
Neil touches on the essential mindset characteristics CPOs need for a successful career, as well as how to transform procurement into a value-adding business component rather than a reactive function. He also touches on the power of learning from failure, and how kindness and strong relationships can significantly impact an organization's success.
You'll learn:
1. How to shift from reactive to proactive procurement
2. The importance of learning from failures
3. The impact of strong supplier relationships
4. Why kindness is crucial in leadership
5. The role of procurement in sustainability and its contribution to society
___________
Get in touch with Neil Marsons on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neil-marsons-9776836/
___________
About the host Martina Buchhauser:
Martina Buchhauser is a global leader with a profound knowledge of the automotive industry and its shift towards new and sustainable technologies and the imperative for a responsible and low-carbon business. Her leadership journey has encompassed executive roles in Global Procurement and Supply Chain Networks at General Motors, MAN, BMW, and Volvo Cars, where she until recently served as the Chief Procurement Officer and on the management board. She is a senior advisor of H&Z Management Consulting and is a non-executive director on several company boards. Martina very much enjoys being outside in nature – that’s why she loves hiking, golfing, and skiing. Her family and her friends from all over the world play an important role to her, and experiencing life together with them is the greatest joy. Martina is passionate about leadership and has been very engaged in developing and promoting talent.
Get in touch with Martina Buchhauser on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martina-buchhauser/
___________
The Procurement Initiative Leaders Podcast is powered by H&Z Management Consulting in collaboration with SAWOO.
Previous Episode

Ep. 4 - Procurement Excellence Through Effective Risk Management: Strategies from National Grid's Paul Howard
Proactive risk management can transform procurement into a strategic powerhouse.
Find out how, in this insightful episode with Paul Howard, Interim Director of Global Indirect Procurement at National Grid, as he delves into the critical aspects of procurement excellence through effective risk management. As a seasoned professional with a background in both military and corporate procurement, Paul shares his extensive experience and strategic approaches to overcoming contemporary procurement challenges. The conversation explores the intricacies of supplier risk management, cybersecurity in procurement, and the crucial role of building resilient supply chains.
You'll learn:
1. Strategies to identify and mitigate supplier risks
2. How to secure procurement data against cyber threats
3. Building strategic supplier relationships effectively
4. Implementing contingency plans for critical suppliers
5. Skills necessary for modern procurement leadership
6. Encouraging collaboration across procurement functions
___________
Get in touch with Paul Howard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phoward/
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Details about National Grid:
Website: https://www.nationalgrid.com/
Industry: Utilities
Size: 10,001+ employees
___________
About the host Richard:
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/
___________
The Procurement Initiative Leaders Podcast is powered by H&Z Management Consulting in collaboration with SAWOO.
Next Episode

Ep. 6 - The Procurement Pathfinder: Five Megatrends Shaping the Future - with Laurin Zemmrich
Explore the future of procurement! Discover how five key megatrends are defining the industry's next chapter and how you can future-proof your procurement strategy.
In this episode, host Richard McIntosh is joined by Laurin Zemmrich, from the University of St.Gallen's Institute of Supply Chain Management, to discuss the whitepaper, "Procurement Pathfinder 2024: A Trend Outlook." Laurin shares his extensive research on the megatrends that are set to shape the future of procurement. The discussion delves into how these interconnected trends impact procurement, from immediate priorities like cost management and geopolitical risks to long-term strategies involving sustainability and technological integration.
You'll learn:
1. The five megatrends redefining procurement and their interconnected nature
2. How CPOs can balance short-term cost pressures with long-term sustainability goals
3. The critical role of AI and technology in future procurement processes
4. Strategies for enhancing supply chain resilience and managing geopolitical risks
5. The evolving regulatory landscape and its implications for sustainability in procurement
___________
Get in touch with Laurin Zemmrich on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurinzemmrich/
Download the "Procurement Pathfinder 2024: A Trend Outlook": https://procurementinitiative.org/insights/procurement-pathfinder-2024-your-guide-to-navigating-future-trends-1
___________
Details about University of St.Gallen's Institute of Supply Chain Management:
Website: https://iscm.unisg.ch
Industry: Higher Education
Size: 1,001-5,000 employees
___________
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/
___________
The Procurement Initiative Leaders Podcast is powered by H&Z Management Consulting in collaboration with SAWOO.
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