New CPO role at CWT

Global - Mario Lopez-Belio has been tasked to optimise global procurement at the newly-created CPO role at Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT).

Prior to joining CWT, Lopez-Belio was VP of enterprise strategic sourcing for Carlson. He also brings with him experience from when he was MD of global sourcing for FedEx Office.

Lopez-Belio will report to Marc Karako, CWT executive VP and CFO.

"Mario will play a key role in helping CWT optimise its procurement strategy and processes on a global basis," Karako says. "His experience is diversified and he's used to working in companies with a vast geographic footprint like ours. In addition his multicultural background and experience will be at home here."

The new role was created as part of the company's three year plan, the executive, who was in Singapore recently, says. In the 2008-2010 guideline, the company's fundamental strategy would be to drive down cost while boosting sales, in addition to making a break into the hotel, meeting and events businesses.

To assist in the three year plan, Lopez-Belio tells ProcurementAsia the company's procurement strategy would be to look at key spend categories and explore the possibility of managing them globally rather than regionally.

He also plans to ensure there is consistency and standardisation in the procurement process.

Emphasising Asia Pacific's integral role in CWT's overall global procurement operations, Lopez-Belio says the company intends to form a small team of procurement professionals using expertise already available in the market.