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.