Business case
CPO
INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS
SCENARIO
Our Client was a private industrial Group backed by a leading international PE Fund: they are market leader in high-mix, low-volume PCB (Printed Circuit Boards) production. Headquartered in Italy with a manufacturing footprint spanning Europe, North America and Asia, the company delivers tailor-made products for multiple sectors on a global scale.
Following their recent acquisition, the organization was experiencing substantial transformation driven by ambitious growth plans and increasing operational complexity. This evolution had identified procurement as central pillar for their new strategic direction, and as a consequence the need for the new role of Group Chief Procurement Officer to lead this critical function and unlock its full potential in supporting the company’s global expansion.
CHALLENGE
The newly created Group CPO role represented a comprehensive transformation mandate that extended well beyond traditional procurement management.
Reporting directly to the CEO, this position required architecting and executing a complete procurement revolution across a complex, internationally distributed organization.
The critical mission included:
- Build a robust procurement function and deliver a strategic procurement roadmap that would drive robust governance while maximizing the function’s potential in alignment with overall group strategy
- Developing breakthrough commodity strategy, implementing comprehensive process improvements and optimizations across the entire sourcing footprint and supply base design
- Beyond technical capabilities, it was crucial to rebuild and lead a high-performing team while attracting and developing talent.
- Equally important was establishing collaborative relationships with the PE Partners, all C-level Executives and the broader organization, building trust while creating a unified view of company goals and values. The strong focus on values was recognised as being of unparalleled relevance.
STRATEGY
Our search strategy focused on identifying a transformational procurement leader capable of operating effectively at the intersection of strategic vision and operational excellence.
We specifically targeted senior procurement executives, with robust pedigree, preferable with experience in [PE backed] industrial environments, and particularly those who:
- Had successfully led procurement transformations in complex, multi-site manufacturing operations
- Had shown hands-on capability in implementing breakthrough procurement strategies
- Had successfully professionalized procurement functions, established world-class processes, and delivered measurable savings in complex industrial settings.
Our approach therefore emphasized identifying professionals who could balance strategic thinking with tactical execution, combining visionary leadership with the operational discipline required to drive transformation across global supply chains and diverse manufacturing environments. We sought profiles with demonstrated ability to navigate complex stakeholder relationships, while delivering tangible business results.
RESULTS
From a robust and highly qualified shortlist, the client selected a senior profile from a major international industrial organization, where he had repeatedly reconstructed procurement processes and commodity strategies, earning recognition as a true “builder” within the company.
The combination of his track record as a “construction-minded” leader, his ability to read complex industrial processes, his hands-on operational style along with his strong ethical foundation convinced both the CEO and the PE Fund that he possessed the comprehensive skill set required to successfully play the role.
This project represented a successful alignment of technical expertise, leadership capability, and cultural fit – demonstrating how the right procurement leader can bridge strategic vision with operational excellence in complex, internationally distributed environments.
