30 Procurement Leaders of Southeast Asia: CPONext 2025

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When we talk about the future of procurement in Southeast Asia, it’s clear that it’s not just changing—it’s transforming at high speed. This isn’t just about digital tools or AI. It’s about leadership. And that’s exactly what the latest edition of CPONext is here to celebrate.

We launched the CPONext: Southeast Asia Edition at Horizon SEA 2025, featuring 30 procurement professionals who aren’t just keeping up—they’re leading the charge into a new era. These CPOs, directors, and heads of procurement are blending strategic thinking, people-first leadership, and next-gen technologies like Agentic AI to create real, sustainable value.

This year, we also invited four experts to weigh in with fresh, grounded perspectives on what it means to lead in this new world of procurement. But at the heart of this report? 30 leaders who are already doing it.

Why These 30 CPOs Matter

These aren’t just job titles. These are people transforming industries: energy, telecom, banking, food, manufacturing, retail, fintech, aviation, and more. They’re redefining how procurement contributes to business strategy.

And they’re not alone. Our four expert contributors—Matthew Quimba (Meralco), Rai A. De Jesus (PLDT), Richard Waugh (Zycus), and Jon Hansen (Procurement Insights)—remind us that it’s not just about tech. It’s about people, process, and purpose.

Meet the 30 Procurement Visionaries

1. Ricardo Aguas Jr. – Okada Manila

Ricardo Aguas Jr. brings 30+ years of cross-continental experience in procurement and supply chain, having led operations across Asia and Europe.
At Okada Manila, he leverages his strategic insight and people-first leadership to ensure seamless sourcing operations.
His career includes impactful roles at Jollibee and SM Investments, where he implemented scalable supply chain strategies.
Ricardo is known for building motivated, agile teams that drive innovation and cost efficiency.
His approach to procurement transforms traditional sourcing into a growth-enabling function.

2. Rashidah Alias – PETRONAS

As VP of Group Procurement at PETRONAS, Rashidah Alias spearheads enterprise-wide transformation through integrated procurement, finance, and risk strategies.
Formerly CFO and CRO, she brings a rare duality of operational and strategic acumen to her current role.
Her credentials from Harvard and Stanford back her leadership with global best practices.
Rashidah focuses on embedding resilience, ESG, and innovation in procurement systems.
She is a role model in balancing compliance and agility for long-term impact.

3. Ashish Baldua – Axiata Group Berhad

Ashish Baldua leads group strategic sourcing at Axiata, ensuring competitive advantage across the telecom value chain.
He previously delivered $500M+ in Capex savings at Vodafone and Airtel by implementing commercial modeling and sustainability-led initiatives.
Ashish brings over two decades of category management, vendor consolidation, and stakeholder alignment.
His leadership strengthens Axiata’s cost, risk, and digital transformation roadmap.
Known for sustainable sourcing, he inspires cross-functional teams to pursue excellence.

4. Ratnadeep Chakravarty – Tata Motors

Ratnadeep Chakravarty manages indirect procurement at Tata Motors with a focus on digital and marketing spends, CAPEX, and IT.
He leverages deep digital procurement experience and strategic sourcing frameworks to enhance cost control.
With experience at Infosys and ACG, he integrates IT tools into category planning.
Ratnadeep is recognized for optimizing value, process governance, and supplier performance.
His innovative practices support Tata’s competitive positioning in the auto sector.

5. Fook Ping Chen – SIA Engineering Company

Fook Ping Chen is a senior supply chain executive in aviation with over 20 years at SIA Engineering and Singapore Airlines.
He is instrumental in procurement strategy for aircraft MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul) operations.
Ping combines engineering know-how with a sustainability mindset, actively pushing emissions-reducing initiatives.
His leadership has been central in streamlining vendor partnerships and maintenance efficiency.
Known for balancing compliance with operational goals, he champions sustainable procurement.

6. Qing Xing Chen – Maxis Berhad

Qing Xing Chen heads IT procurement at Maxis Berhad, bringing two decades of tech industry sourcing leadership.
His strategic direction blends category planning with enterprise cost transformation and vendor innovation.
Qing’s procurement strategies are deeply aligned with Maxis’ digital evolution goals.
He is valued for fostering strategic partnerships and leading high-stakes negotiations.
With a dual academic background in telecom and business, he brings technical and commercial excellence.

7. Ariel Francisco Faraon – JG Summit Holdings

Ariel Francisco Faraon is a distinguished procurement leader at JG Summit, with credentials in sourcing, logistics, and warehousing.
He played a pivotal role in shaping the Philippines’ Ease of Doing Business Act, influencing public-private sector efficiencies.
Ariel’s strength lies in regulatory alignment, supplier partnerships, and business process reengineering.
His agile and compliance-driven methods help elevate procurement maturity.
He continues to lead transformation initiatives across JG Summit’s diverse portfolio.

8. Benferooz F. – FairPrice Group

Benferooz F. is a sustainability-forward procurement leader at FairPrice Group, heading indirect sourcing with innovation and ESG as core principles.
His previous stints at Grab and PwC cemented his expertise in aligning procurement with business transformation.
At FairPrice, he integrates digital tools and responsible sourcing frameworks to drive sustainable performance.
Benferooz focuses on vendor collaboration, automation, and stakeholder-centric procurement.
His work is redefining strategic sourcing across the retail sector in Southeast Asia.

9. Che Yeong Lim – DRB-HICOM Berhad

Che Yeong Lim leads procurement technology systems at DRB-HICOM, Malaysia’s diversified conglomerate.
A computer science graduate, he specializes in developing in-house applications to streamline sourcing compliance.
Che ensures enterprise-wide visibility through digitized procurement processes.
His tools enhance vendor transparency and strengthen audit readiness.
He’s an advocate of agile IT systems to support procurement scalability and governance.

10. Karla Monika Borromeo – JG Summit Holdings

Karla Monika Borromeo leads strategic category procurement at JG Summit Holdings, focusing on long-term supplier relationships and business value creation.
With more than two decades in procurement and information systems, she builds collaborative procurement frameworks.
Her leadership improves compliance, cost control, and enterprise-wide efficiency.
Karla promotes integrated category planning across SBUs to ensure alignment with growth.
She is known for shaping procurement into a strategic growth enabler at the group level.

11. Brian Downie – MTR Corporation Limited

Brian Downie merges deep legal expertise with commercial procurement strategy at MTR Corporation.
With a background in law and infrastructure, he simplifies complex supply arrangements and mitigates legal risk.
Formerly General Counsel at Leighton Asia, he has led multi-million dollar contract negotiations.
Brian is respected for fostering collaboration between legal, procurement, and operations.
His leadership ensures compliance while enabling procurement agility at scale.

12. Ping Ping Ho – Unifi Mobile

Ping Ping Ho is an experienced telecom supply chain leader who currently heads SCM at Unifi Mobile.
She spent over 16 years at Maxis Berhad, leading procurement and driving operational efficiency.
Ping Ping is known for aligning sourcing operations with business objectives in fast-moving telecom environments.
Her ability to optimize logistics, reduce vendor risks, and build strong supplier relationships stands out.
She plays a key role in maintaining agility and cost-effectiveness across Unifi.

13. Boon Jacob – FairPrice Group

Boon Jacob leads technology procurement at FairPrice Group with a strong focus on vendor innovation and strategic sourcing.
His experience at Grab and across industries has shaped his data-driven approach to category management.
Boon is known for maximizing value from tech investments while minimizing procurement risks.
His work includes developing collaborative supplier models and cost-control frameworks.
He also mentors teams to build internal procurement capabilities for long-term growth.

14. Delina Kang – MUFG

Delina Kang brings over 25 years of global procurement experience to her role as Global Category Director at MUFG.
She leads IT sourcing across multiple countries, focusing on cost optimization, vendor governance, and stakeholder engagement.
Known for managing distributed virtual teams, she excels at standardizing procurement practices across regions.
Delina’s leadership spans banking, healthcare, and supply chain, giving her cross-sector versatility.
Her strategic mindset ensures agility and compliance in a global banking environment.

15. Constance Khoo – United Overseas Bank (UOB)

Constance Khoo, SVP of IT Procurement at UOB, has transformed the bank’s sourcing into a forward-thinking function.
Her prior experience at Michelin and the Infocomm Development Authority shaped her deep understanding of digital ecosystems.
Constance integrates compliance and agility into vendor selection, creating future-ready sourcing strategies.
She is a recognized expert in stakeholder management and IT controls.
Her procurement leadership ensures resilience in the banking tech environment.

16. John Koh – Sembcorp Industries

John Koh heads procurement for Singapore and SEA at Sembcorp Industries, combining engineering precision with commercial expertise.
Formerly Sales Director at Incora and a sourcing lead at Rolls-Royce, he manages multi-country vendor networks.
John excels in supplier development, commodity management, and regional strategy.
His dual background in supply chain and business enables him to deliver operational and financial value.
He is a champion of collaboration, innovation, and procurement efficiency.

17. Pitak Lertassawarat – Central Group

Pitak Lertassawarat leads operations and procurement for Central Group brands such as Casio, CMG, and Samsonite.
With experience in retail, banking, and manufacturing, he ensures sustainable and efficient supply chains.
His leadership includes interior design procurement, service center optimization, and cost control.
Pitak’s strategy bridges supply planning and execution with real-time responsiveness.
He is known for driving customer-centric operations and transformation programs.

18. Karen Lim – SM Retail

Karen Lim is a seasoned procurement manager at SM Retail, with a decade of experience managing end-to-end sourcing.
She is skilled in cost reduction, process improvement, and building long-term supplier partnerships.
Karen oversees high-volume procurement while ensuring alignment with strategic goals.
Her role involves approving purchase orders, budget compliance, and vendor audits.
She is a trusted leader in driving retail sourcing excellence.

19. Gladys Nebab-Zamora – PLDT

Gladys Nebab-Zamora is AVP and Head of Pre-Contract Management at PLDT, specializing in commercial contract governance.
With a legal background and experience at Accenture and PEMC, she ensures procurement compliance and negotiation strength.
Gladys leads a team handling multi-sector supply contracts, aligning with corporate governance.
Her expertise spans regulatory issues, contract drafting, and risk mitigation.
She is pivotal in ensuring commercial agility while safeguarding legal interests.

20. Jacqueline Liu – Singtel

Jacqueline Liu has spent over 20 years at Singtel leading major procurement transformations.
She drove the award-winning “One Procurement” program unifying Singtel, Optus, and NCS sourcing strategies.
Jacqueline is known for her ability to align multi-entity operations through procurement technology.
She has received top internal honors for excellence and innovation in procurement leadership.
Her work demonstrates how unified strategies can deliver agility, efficiency, and value at scale.

21. Richard Quinto – Mynt (Globe Fintech)

Richard Quinto is Procurement Manager at Mynt, one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing fintechs.
He brings engineering discipline to sourcing operations, blending technical acumen with commercial foresight.
Richard previously spent over a decade at PLDT, shaping telecom procurement and construction sourcing.
At Mynt, he optimizes supplier performance and cost efficiency to support the company’s rapid scale.
He is instrumental in embedding agility and control into a high-growth procurement environment.

22. Rohaizad Samudin – TNB

Rohaizad Samudin leads digital innovation and process excellence at Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB).
He spearheaded a hybrid procurement transformation that delivered RM700M in value.
Rohaizad’s leadership merges digital tools with strategic sourcing to drive public utility efficiency.
His work includes improving quality systems, data usage, and procurement governance.
He is a national example of how procurement can drive transformation in regulated industries.

23. Sharlene Santiago – Jollibee Foods Corporation

Sharlene Santiago is Procurement Director at Jollibee, where she leads global food supply sourcing and logistics.
Her finance and entrepreneurship background fuels her innovative approach to procurement.
Sharlene emphasizes supplier diversity, sustainability, and risk-aware growth.
She has modernized sourcing operations for Jollibee’s global expansion while promoting ethical vendor practices.
She combines corporate procurement and entrepreneurial thinking in unique and impactful ways.

24. Smita Shetty – Unilever

Smita Shetty is Global Procurement Director – Transformation at Unilever, driving change across beauty and wellness divisions.
She integrates engineering insights, sourcing strategy, and cross-functional collaboration to transform global supply chains.
Her background includes work at Michelin and Cognizant, providing broad industry exposure.
Smita is known for implementing AI and automation in sourcing operations.
She brings bold thinking and digital-first leadership to Unilever’s procurement function.

25. Emily Abu Talib – Maybank

Emily Abu Talib leads procurement at Maybank with over 25 years of experience in sourcing, project management, and mentoring.
She’s known for introducing automation and category strategies that deliver tangible savings.
Emily’s leadership has modernized Maybank’s procurement while strengthening internal procurement capabilities.
She focuses on aligning procurement outcomes with financial strategy and regulatory needs.
She also champions mentorship and professional development across teams.

26. Ma Victoria Tan – Ayala Corporation

Ma Victoria Tan is Executive Director of Sustainability & Risk Management at Ayala Corporation.
She embeds ESG principles into procurement processes while enhancing risk controls.
Victoria ensures the organization stays compliant with international sustainability standards.
Her work fosters supplier accountability, long-term sourcing stability, and reputation resilience.
She is a leading voice for integrated risk and procurement leadership in Southeast Asia.

27. Shirley Tan – Temasek

Shirley Tan, VP of Procurement at Temasek, brings over 20 years of sourcing leadership from top global financial institutions.
Her experience includes Credit Suisse, JPMorgan, and UBS, where she led high-value vendor negotiations.
At Temasek, she focuses on vendor governance, strategic sourcing, and regulatory alignment.
Shirley’s precise, detail-oriented approach helps her manage complex procurement portfolios.
She is a go-to expert for risk-aware sourcing strategy in financial services.

28. Rajneesh Vashisht – Mahindra & Mahindra

Rajneesh Vashisht is VP of Purchasing at Mahindra & Mahindra, with more than 30 years in automotive sourcing.
He has been key to launching new vehicle platforms through strategic supplier engagement.
Rajneesh’s leadership includes cost benchmarking, supplier innovation, and new product sourcing.
Previously with Maruti Suzuki, he brings deep OEM manufacturing procurement expertise.
He is instrumental in building future-ready, competitive automotive supply chains.

29. Don Bryan Barcelona Dizon – Aboitiz Power

Don Bryan Barcelona Dizon leads SCM Business Services at Aboitiz Power, transforming sourcing strategy through an engineering and finance lens.
He has experience at Vestas and Energy Development Corp, where he optimized indirect and CAPEX procurement.
Don is known for driving savings, process digitization, and supplier governance.
His data-driven decisions and team-building abilities make him a strong change leader.
He ensures procurement contributes directly to enterprise performance goals.

30. Kheammanat W. – Krung Thai Bank

Kheammanat W. is First VP of Procurement at Krung Thai Bank, with 25+ years of expertise in strategic sourcing and e-procurement.
He has led major transformation initiatives in banking procurement, saving millions through streamlined operations.
Kheammanat holds advanced CIPS certifications and applies Lean principles to enhance procurement agility.
He focuses on compliance, digitization, and supplier performance in financial services.
His vision aligns sourcing with Thailand’s banking reform agenda.

What This Means for You

Whether you’re an aspiring CPO, a procurement professional in the region, or simply someone who wants to understand what real leadership looks like in action—this is for you.

Procurement in Southeast Asia is getting more strategic, more agile, and more digital—without losing its human core. These 30 leaders are proof of that.

Want to dive deeper?

Explore all 30 profiles in full and get the expert essays in the latest edition of CPONext: Southeast Asia.

Download the full eBook now and see who’s shaping the future.

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Kunjal Suri

Kunjal Suri is a talented writer with a passion for all things technology. She graduated with an MBA in Marketing from XIME Bangalore in 2020, where she honed her skills in crafting compelling content. Kunjal’s love for technology and her ability to convey complex concepts in a clear and accessible manner make her articles a valuable resource for readers. With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the industry, Kunjal provides insightful perspectives on the latest technological advancements. Her expertise and dedication to sharing her knowledge make her a valuable voice in the tech writing community.