Pacific Life: Procurement transformation on a global scale
Our cover story this month features VP Global Procurement Solutions at Pacific Life, Michael McKenna, who has a truly a global role, delivering procurement transformation in a more holistic, and unified manner…
When Michael McKenna joined the team at Pacific Life, procurement capabilities existed across multiple business divisions, geographies, and operating models. While talented teams were delivering locally, the organisation lacked a single global framework for supplier management, spend visibility, third-party risk, and strategic sourcing.
As a result, in 2025, the procurement function at Pacific Life decided to develop a new identity as Global Procurement Solutions (GPS). As an integral part of the wider journey that Pacific Life is on, GPS aims to operate in a more holistic, unified way across the globe and over the last 16 months has worked hard to create a foundation for that goal…
The organisation started its transformation by aligning category management and sourcing, supplier management, procure-to-pay, and third-party risk management under a common operating model while expanding support across Pacific Life’s insurance and global reinsurance businesses. At the same time, GPS introduced new governance structures, clarified roles and responsibilities, and established more consistent ways of working across functions and geographies. “Transformation starts with transparency,” says McKenna. “You need visibility into spend, suppliers, contracts and risk before you can make better decisions.” Read the full story inside. Read the full story here!
Linde + Wiemann: Transforming procurement into a strategic growth engine
We also speak exclusively to Milind Phulse, Chief Procurement Officer at Linde + Wiemann, who digs deep into the procurement function’s transformation and how he successfully implemented a totally new mindset for the organisation…
Milind Phulse is the Chief Procurement Officer at Linde + Wiemann and is also responsible for Supply Chain Management and IT and Integration Management. A passionate leader and team-builder, he has spent the last three decades leading procurement, supply chain, operations, IT, and business transformation initiatives across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. He’s worked with some of the world’s biggest brands to manage complex international teams and procurement portfolios, with annual spend responsibilities exceeding €2bn.
For Phulse, the excitement that comes with leading a procurement transformation never wanes, because of the position the procurement function holds. This is something he brought with him to Linde + Wiemann in early 2025. “What has always fascinated me is the ability of procurement to influence far more than cost,” he explains. “Procurement sits at the intersection of competitiveness, innovation, sustainability, risk management, and business growth. When positioned correctly, it becomes a strategic enabler of enterprise value rather than simply a transactional function.” Read the full story here!
Plus, we report from the Exiger Executive Forum, which takes a closer look at human rights in the supply chain, and the issues procurement leaders need to be considering. And we attended CIPS | ProcureCon Asia – exploring the latest procurement insights and opportunities from the ProcureCon Asia community.
Not only that, but we also have all the expert insights, industry trends and global events tied up inside, too. Enjoy!
