In this episode of Powering Procurement, hosts Sian Lloyd and Travis Crouch sit down with Milind Tailor, Global Head of Resale Products and Services Procurement at Diebold Nixdorf. Together, they navigate "The 4 P's of Procurement" framework: Purpose, People, Planet, and Performance, as well as how AI, sustainability, and skill transformation are reshaping the function.
What You’ll Learn:
- How to elevate procurement from cost-saving to strategic value creation
- Why procurement professionals need to develop new skills in orchestration, digital fluency, change leadership, and influence
- The "Total Impact Mindset" framework for measuring procurement success
- Why sustainability should be viewed as an insurance policy rather than a cost center
- How AI is freeing procurement teams from transactional tasks to focus on strategic value creation
Milind is a thought leader in AI, supplier collaboration, and the future of procurement. With an engineering background and a master's in supply chain and operations, he has transformed procurement from a traditional cost-saving function into a strategic powerhouse. In his role, Milind oversees operations across 60+ countries, managing $1Bn+ in spend while driving efficiency, resilience, and innovation.
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Episode Highlights:
- 15:26 - The Four Ps of Procurement
Procurement's role is no longer just about cutting costs; it's about creating real business value. Milind introduces the Four Ps of Procurement: Purpose, People, Planet, and Performance. Like a flight crew ensuring a safe journey, procurement must work in harmony across departments to guide the business toward long-term success. That means shifting from being reactive cost controllers to proactive strategic copilots, championing innovation, sustainability, and growth while staying aligned with the company's bigger goals.
- 29:59 - What Future-Ready Talent Looks Like
Procurement professionals need more than just the basics. Negotiation and supplier management still matter, but the future-ready talent goes further. They're collaborators, change leaders, tech-savvy orchestrators, and skilled influencers. It's about synchronizing moving parts, understanding and applying new technologies, leading transformation, and inspiring others. Organizations can build this talent by combining apprenticeships, internal development, and job rotations that let people explore, grow, and shine across the business.
- 37:34 - Sustainability vs. Business Pressure
Procurement has a critical role to play in sustainability, but it's not without challenges. The key shift? Stop thinking in terms of just cost, and start thinking in terms of impact. Sustainable choices might seem expensive upfront, but they're an investment in long-term resilience. To make it work, we need better visibility across the entire supply chain and that means leveraging tech like AI, blockchain, and ESG dashboards. Just as important, align procurement KPIs with sustainability goals.
Episode Resources:
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