An inside view: How better collaboration between finance and procurement can deliver more value to the organisation

 

Speaker: Marc Rodriguez, SVP and Head of Procurement at Swarovski

6.30pm Drinks and networking
7.15pm Dinner and discussion
Smart casual

What steps can procurement take to ensure that there is collaboration between the two so that they can add real value to the business?

Procurement and finance teams share a lot of common ground, with both trying to achieve cost savings, improve process and governance, as well as control risk. However, in many cases there can be a lack of synergy and collaboration between the two, with finance not fully understanding the value of procurement resulting in procurement feeling undervalued or not having a seat at the table. Goals and objectives can lack alignment and a lot of the time, procurement does not play a role in the financial planning process, leading to it having to play a tactical role in the business. 

Marc Rodriguez, Senior Vice President and Head of Procurement at Swarovski will open the evening's discussion, bringing valuable insight and expertise from over 11 years at Swarovski, both in a finance and procurement capacity.

Swarovski, a family-run, independent company, was founded more than 120 years ago in Wattens, Austria. Now run by the fifth generation of family members, Swarovski has become a leading group of global companies committed to stable growth and maintaining its place at the forefront of design, creativity, and technological innovation. With revenue of EUR 3.5bn, Swarovski Group employs 34,500 people worldwide.

About the speaker

Since 2017, Marc has been leading and supporting a team of procurement experts to add significant value to the business through procurement. Prior to this, Marc led Finance and Administration operations for the Asia Pacific sales organizations, including the regional competence centre teams such as HR, Legal, Controlling and Loss Prevention. Mark brings to the table a first-hand perspective on how collaboration between finance and procurement can ensure long-term success and deliver real value to the business and what the best tactics are in ensuring collaboration between the two.

The venue

The Storchen experience extends far beyond the hotel's wall and fully embraces the spirit of Zurich, one of the cities consistently ranked as offering the best quality of life in the world. 

The CPO Leadership Club is a networking club for CPOs and senior procurement professionals. Getting to the very heart of procurement challenges and opportunities, it has been designed to provide a wealth of insight, expert knowledge exchange, and valuable networking opportunities.