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
___________
Get in touch with Gao Kwintmeyer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gao-kwintmeyer-23890158/
___________
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/
___________
The Procurement Initiative Leaders Podcast is powered by H&Z Management Consulting in collaboration with SAWOO.