TPI Podcast #17
What if resilient procurement leadership begins with vulnerability? Dieter Dehoorne reveals how to rebuild trust, simplify complexity, and lead through uncertainty.
The Procurement Initiative Leaders Podcast
The Procurement Initiative Leaders Podcast, produced in collaboration with our friends at The Procurement Initiative and the University of St. Gallen.
Join Richard, Martina, and Mike as they sit down with industry leaders and experts to uncover the latest trends and insights in procurement—from technology, data, and AI to leadership, competencies, and talent management. Discover strategies for cost reduction and value creation, gain a deeper understanding of inflation, the economy, and geopolitics, and learn how to build resilient supply chains while managing risk. We also explore ESG and the circular economy, providing practical guidance for procurement leaders seeking to create real impact.
Tune in to the Procurement Initiative Leaders Podcast to unlock the knowledge and expertise you need to drive meaningful change in your organisation.
EPISODE 17
STAYING THE COURSE: LEADING PROCUREMENT THROUGH CRISIS WITH CLARITY AND COURAGE
What if the secret to resilient procurement leadership starts with daring to be vulnerable?
In this episode of the Procurement Initiative Leaders Podcast, Martina Buchhauser speaks with Dieter Dehoorne, Group Senior VP and CPO, Global Procurement at Vestas, about the human side of transformation and what it takes to lead through uncertainty.
Dieter opens up about 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 is more than personal—it’s a playbook for CPOs on how to stay the course by building a strong team, leading with authenticity, and anchoring the function in trust, strategy, and partnership.
Key Topics Covered in This Episode
- Leading with authenticity and vulnerability during times of change
- Rebuilding trust and creating a high-performing team
- Staying the course: team, clarity, and partnerships
- Reducing complexity to unlock real impact
- Deep supplier collaboration as a cornerstone of modern procurement
ABOUT THE GUEST
Dieter Dehoorne
Dieter Dehoorne is a seasoned procurement executive, currently Group Senior VP & CPO of Global Procurement at Vestas. With a career spanning decades and experience at Volvo before joining Vestas, he has led through complex industry transformations, global crises, and the evolving demands on procurement leadership. Dieter is recognised for his authentic, people-first approach, focusing on team strength, strategic clarity, and deep supplier partnerships.
HOST
Martina Buchhauser
Martina Buchhauser is a Senior Advisor at H&Z Management Consulting and host of the Procurement Initiative Leaders Podcast. Drawing on her experience in automotive and industrial sectors, including leadership roles at Volvo Cars and BMW, she helps organisations navigate the intersection of sustainability, transformation, and procurement leadership.
EPISODE 17 — LISTEN NOW
