RICHARD WHITE
Brussels,Belgium
Summary
Bilingual, internationally experienced business leader with a proven track record spanning 30 years in global consumer goods, nature-based solutions and B2B manufacturing industries. Proven agility, having operated successfully across Procurement, General Management, Trade Marketing & Sales functions. Passionate about delivering breakthrough performance & results through strong cross-functional collaboration and highly engaged, customer-focused teams.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
5979
5979
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Group Procurement Director
Puratos
Groot Bijgaarden , Belgium
2023.10 - Current
- leading global transformation of Procurement function, covering operational excellence, digitalisation & talent upskilling.
- Spend accountability of >2Bn€ covering Directs, Indirects & Capex.
- Responsible for 9 direct reports at Group level.
- Cross functional leadership for commodity hedging strategies.
- Co-owner of Scope 3/SBTi sustainability initiative.
Group Chief Procurement Officer
idverde
Levallois-Perret, France
2020.09 - 2023.03
- Company board member, reporting to Group CEO.
- Implemented Europe-wide strategic plan to deliver 10M€ savings.
- 500M€ spend accountability of Direct/Indirect materials & services
- Recruited, developed & coordinated matrix of 15 buyers/managers.
- Digital transformation of function.
- Functional lead for M&A due diligence synergy planning.
- 1.6M€ benefit delivered via commodity hedging policy execution.
Vice-President Procurement/Sustainability
AB InBev
Leuven, Belgium
2016.09 - 2020.06
- Led functional team of 150 talents located across Europe.
- $3.5Bn spend accountability (Direct/Indirect materials & services)
- 100% KPI (financial & non-financial) target achievement every year: $75M annual Opex savings (100-350% CPI offset annually)
- Cashflow improvement of $100M over 3 years
- Co-sponsored offshoring/integration of Europe-Africa's shared service centres to Mauritius: 3 offices, 60 FTEs, $600M spend delivering $30M in synergy savings & operational excellence
- Championed 10yr solar PPA to ensure 100% renewable energy breweries, 100+ Accelerator campaign to source sustainability innovation, 650K reusable cups to replace 18mn single use ones, introduction of first electric trucks for logistics fleet.
Global Commercial/IT Procurement Director
AB InBev
Leuven, Belgium
2014.01 - 2016.07
Global CEO
Agrega (JV AB InBev-BAT)
London, UK
2011.08 - 2013.11
Global Commercial Procurement Director
AB InBev
New York, US
2008.08 - 2011.08
Global Media Procurement Director
AB InBev
Leuven, Belgium
2006.12 - 2008.07
Global Commercial Buyer
AB InBev
Leuven, Belgium
2005.09 - 2006.12
Channel Development Manager
AB InBev
Armentières, France
2001.09 - 2005.08
Regional/National Account Manager
Bass Brewers
Burton, UK
1996.09 - 2001.08
Retail Dev. Representative
Walkers Snack Foods (Pepsico)
Reading, UK
1995.01 - 1996.08
Education
Global Sustainability Leadership Program -
Stanford University
USGlobal Strategic Procurement Program -
Darden School of Business
USThe Complete Skilled Strategic Negotiator -
GAP Partnership
Consumer Connections Programme -
Stanford University
USGreen Belt -
Lean Six Sigma
Brussels, BelgiumBachelor of Arts - Business and French
University of Plymouth
UK 09/1990 - 1994.06
European Diploma in International Management -
Université Polytechnique Hauts-de-France
France 09/1992 - 1993.06
A-Levels - English, French, Economics, General Studies
Longsands Academy
UK 09/1988 - 1990.06
Skills
- Leadership
- Drive for results
- Strategy development
- Negotiation
- Agility
- Resilience
- Communication
- Team engagement
Languages
English
Native
French
Fluent
References
Available upon request
Timeline
Group Procurement Director
Puratos
2023.10 - Current
Group Chief Procurement Officer
idverde
2020.09 - 2023.03
Vice-President Procurement/Sustainability
AB InBev
2016.09 - 2020.06
Global Commercial/IT Procurement Director
AB InBev
2014.01 - 2016.07
Global CEO
Agrega (JV AB InBev-BAT)
2011.08 - 2013.11
Global Commercial Procurement Director
AB InBev
2008.08 - 2011.08
Global Media Procurement Director
AB InBev
2006.12 - 2008.07
Global Commercial Buyer
AB InBev
2005.09 - 2006.12
Channel Development Manager
AB InBev
2001.09 - 2005.08
Regional/National Account Manager
Bass Brewers
1996.09 - 2001.08
Retail Dev. Representative
Walkers Snack Foods (Pepsico)
1995.01 - 1996.08
Global Sustainability Leadership Program -
Stanford University
Global Strategic Procurement Program -
Darden School of Business
The Complete Skilled Strategic Negotiator -
GAP Partnership
Consumer Connections Programme -
Stanford University
Green Belt -
Lean Six Sigma
Bachelor of Arts - Business and French
University of Plymouth
09/1990 - 1994.06
European Diploma in International Management -
Université Polytechnique Hauts-de-France
09/1992 - 1993.06
A-Levels - English, French, Economics, General Studies
Longsands Academy
09/1988 - 1990.06