‘My experience in procurement was a great foundation’

Richard McEvoy, vice-president indirect channel cash & carry for Johnson Diversey is responsible for running this £500 million division across Europe, Middle East and Africa.

Having formerly worked as managing director for UK and Ireland, CPO, and supply chain director for EMEA, he has successfully moved from supply chain and procurement into general management.

“My experience in procurement was a great foundation for general management as I had the right access to the CEO and I gained a unique overview of the whole business across all geographies. That said, the main challenges were to value my own vantage point and have the confidence to use it with the sales force in a coaching rather than dictatorial way and develop my own selling style that fitted with my natural personality.”

Eight ways to prepare for a CEO role

1. Find a mentor who is already a CEO or working in a general management position.

2. Take on a smaller general management role in an emerging market.

3. Broaden your skillset at every opportunity.

4. Gain experience in at least one non-procurement role.

5. Get involved in as many mission-critical, non-procurement projects as you can.

6. Develop close working relationships with other functions so they are your advocates.

7. Manage the political environment, build powerful alliances and build your relationship with the CEO.

8. Hone your communication skills: drop the procurement jargon in favour of the language of the executive leadership team and the board.

Source: CPO Agenda. Writer: Sarah Lim (sxlim@spencerstuart.com) is a member of the retail and consumer goods practice at executive search company Spencer Stuart, based in London, UK, recruiting chief executives and board directors for leading businesses.