With a career spanning global technology giants, public healthcare, and procurement leadership at the highest levels, Sebastian Chua has built a reputation as a transformative force in procurement and supply chain management. From leading regional procurement at HP/Agilent Technologies, Microsoft, and Alcatel Lucent, to serving as Chief Procurement Officer in Singapore’s Public Healthcare Agency, he has driven strategic procurement transformations while navigating complex challenges—including spearheading critical supply chain efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.
As Chairman of The Procurement Council under Supply Chain Asia, Sebastian continues to shape the future of procurement, advocating for innovation, collaboration, and digital transformation. Recognised globally for his leadership, he has received numerous industry awards, including the Public Administration Medal from the Singapore Prime Minister’s Office and honors from The Procurement Leaders, CIPS, and Supply Chain Asia.
In this Executive Insight, Sebastian shares his perspectives on building winning teams amid uncertainty, managing difficult stakeholders, measuring procurement success, embracing digitalisation, and driving meaningful change. His insights offer a roadmap for procurement leaders seeking to thrive in an era of complexity, disruption, and evolving business expectations.
How do you build a winning team in the face of complexities, uncertainties, and constant disruptions?
It is in our nature to prefer the status quo over uncertainty and worry about trying new things that might lead to mistakes. However, we must look beyond these fears and adapt to new realities. To some, change is hard because they overestimate the value of what they have and underestimate the value of what they may gain by letting go.
When faced with a challenge, we should not procrastinate. If we don’t step forward, we remain in the same place. We must focus on the goal, not the distractions. If the plan does not work, we should change the plan, but not the goal. Our attitude, more than anything else, determines our success.
The difference between success and failure lies in taking action. The problem with some people is that they don’t try, quit early, or fear failure to the point of paralysis. When everything is trying to bring us down, we need to find one reason to keep pushing forward.
To innovate and transform, we do not need to achieve monumental feats. Transformation starts with a simple principle: THINK BIG, START SMALL, ACT FAST.
How do you manage difficult stakeholders?
Managing difficult stakeholders requires a balance of diplomacy, empathy, and assertiveness. Stakeholders have different motivations, priorities, and perspectives, which often create friction in decision-making.
- Active Listening: Stakeholders want to feel heard. Listening to their concerns without immediately countering their arguments helps in building trust.
- Aligning Interests: Finding common ground and demonstrating how procurement adds value beyond cost savings is key.
- Clear Communication: Transparency in goals, processes, and challenges fosters credibility.
- Relationship Management: Engaging stakeholders beyond work interactions creates rapport and fosters collaboration.
- Empathy and Flexibility: Understanding their motivations allows for tailored solutions that align with broader business objectives.
How do you measure procurement success?
Procurement success is more than cost savings. It is defined by the quality of business conversations and relationships, as well as the impact on business performance. Key metrics include:
- Cost Reduction vs. Value Creation: Procurement must go beyond just cutting costs and focus on strategic value generation.
- Supplier Performance: Evaluating supplier reliability, quality, and compliance.
- Stakeholder Satisfaction: Are internal teams and external partners benefiting from procurement efforts?
- Risk Management: Measuring resilience against supply chain disruptions.
- Innovation and Efficiency: Introducing new procurement strategies, automation, and sustainability measures.
What is your advice to team members who don’t want to embrace change?
Change resistance is common, but leaders must encourage adaptability. Key approaches include:
- Educating on Benefits: Clearly explaining how change leads to better outcomes.
- Leading by Example: Demonstrating willingness to embrace new processes.
- Small Wins First: Incremental changes build confidence in transformation.
- Addressing Fears: Understanding concerns and providing reassurance.
- Making Change Inclusive: Involving team members in decision-making increases buy-in.
Is digitalisation going to take over procurement jobs?
Digitalisation is transforming procurement, but it is not replacing human roles entirely. Instead, it is an enabler that enhances efficiency, decision-making, and strategic value. Digital tools reduce repetitive tasks, allowing procurement professionals to focus on high-value activities such as supplier relationship management and strategic negotiations.
Rather than fearing digitalisation, procurement professionals should leverage it to drive better business outcomes.
What are some of the key attributes in embracing and adopting digital technologies?
To successfully integrate digital solutions, professionals must develop the following attributes:
- Intellectual Curiosity: Being open to new technologies and understanding how they impact procurement.
- Technology Savviness: Not necessarily becoming data scientists but being familiar with AI, automation, and data analytics.
- Business Acumen: Understanding how digitalisation aligns with organisational objectives.
- Storytelling Skills: Data insights must be communicated effectively to drive decision-making.
- Adaptability: Continuous learning and willingness to evolve with emerging trends.
A winning team in procurement is built through agility, collaboration, and continuous learning. By embracing change, managing stakeholder relationships effectively, leveraging digital transformation, and maintaining a strategic mindset, procurement professionals can drive measurable success. The key is to Think Big, Start Small, and Act Fast.
