इस एपिसोड के बारे में
In this episode, we sit down with Chris Chandler, founder and managing partner of the Creovia Group, to explore how procurement creates value inside companies and private equity portfolios. Drawing from his experience across General Motors, Kellogg’s, Dr Pepper Snapple, MoneyGram, and the private equity world, Chris shares why strong procurement goes far beyond negotiating prices. He explains why speed matters in private equity, how procurement can directly improve margins, and why the best teams know when to follow a process and when to move quickly.
The conversation also dives into the role of technology, process, and policy in making procurement savings actually stick. Chris explains why companies can negotiate great agreements but still fail to capture the value if employees are not guided toward them. He also discusses the role of GPOs, the growing demand for procurement leaders in private equity, and why procurement professionals need to get out from behind their screens to truly understand the business.
Chris also shares his approach to supplier relationships and negotiation, including why trying to beat a supplier into the lowest possible price can work against you. He explains why transparency, credibility, respect, and understanding what the other side needs can lead to stronger deals and long-term partnerships.
Key Topics:
-Why procurement creates so much value in private equity
-How speed can make or break procurement results
-Why procurement professionals need to get out from behind the screen
-How technology and process turn cost savings into real results
-Why GPOs should be used strategically instead of for everything
-How to work with procurement leaders without creating resistance
-Why great negotiation is about more than getting the lowest price
-How transparency, credibility, and respect lead to better deals
Timestamps:
00:59 How Chris Built a Career in Supply Chain and Procurement
06:22 Where Young Procurement Professionals Should Start
08:32 Why Procurement Process Should Never Exist Just for the Sake of Process
10:53 The Biggest Difference Between Private Equity and Corporate Procurement
12:32 How Procurement Creates Value in Private Equity
14:36 Why Procurement Savings Can Be More Powerful Than Revenue Growth
18:22 Why Great Procurement Professionals Can't Just Sit Behind a Screen
20:34 How to Work With Procurement Leaders in Portfolio Companies
25:15 How to Make Procurement Leaders Look Like Superheroes
28:15 Why Cost Savings Mean Nothing Without the Right Process and Technology
33:31 When GPOs Make Sense for Indirect Procurement
38:41 Why Great Negotiation Isn't About Beating Up Suppliers
39:26 The Best Procurement Deal Chris Ever Negotiated
42:07 The Three Things Every Great Negotiation Needs
43:20 The Negotiation Question Most People Forget to Ask
46:55 The Weirdest Thing Chris Ever Had to Source
Connect with - Chris Chandler:
LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/cmchandler
Connect to Lightsource.ai:
LinkedIn - / lightsource-ai
Website: https://lightsource.ai/
अनुलिपि 🔗
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For every dollar of top line that you get, you only get 30 cents on the dollar.
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For every dollar of procurement improvements that I get, I get a dollar.
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You can't just sit behind a screen all day and effectively manage this.
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If you can make the people you work with look like a superhero, then there won't be as much of an allergic reaction, right?
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