In this episode, we’re joined by Anna McGovern, CPIM, CSCP - Business & Consulting Partner at Tompkins Ventures, Founder & Managing Director at Pondview Consulting, former CPO at Unilever, and a Supply Chain & Procurement Evangelist helping business to streamline supply chains & procurement, boost efficiency, maximize value, and tapping into supplier networks for innovation and growth.
In this fantastic conversation, Anna and Sam discuss various lessons from her impressive career, the importance of strategic supplier relationships, how to drive procurement together with suppliers, and Procurement’s role within their business in this new era. 

(00:38) - Introducing Anna

(01:18) - What does Sourcing & Procurement mean to Anna?

(02:09) - How did Anna start working in Procurement?

(03:58) - What are the distinguishing factors between Buying and Procurement as a role?

(06:55) - When does Anna think it’s okay or wrong to take bets on supplier-led innovation?

(08:28) - Why should Procurement invest in supplier innovation?

(10:05) - What is the real responsibility of Procurement and how can they shift from a focus on savings to driving revenue?

(14:34) - Does Anna have any experiences with driving direct value through Procurement?

(19:31) - When is a supplier relationship too broken and you need to find a new supplier?

(21:01) - Which is more important: a deep, long-term, strategic supplier relationship or a reliable low-cost supplier?  

(24:46) - What is the importance of storytelling in Procurement & Supply Chain?

(29:32) - What is the role of Procurement to become a supplier’s Customer of Choice and what factors can influence that?

(32:39) - Is beating down on suppliers in cost negotiations a thing of the past?

(35:31) - What is a lesson that Anna would share with someone starting their career in Procurement & Supply Chain?

(38:11) - What’s one thing Anna knows today that she wishes she knew at the start of her Procurement career?

(40:29) - Anna answers Sam’s round of quick-fire questions