Procurement Leadership in Southeast Asia: Insights from CPO Thailand 2025

Listen to this blog

If you were at CPO Thailand 2025 like I was—or if you’ve read our recent CPONext Southeast Asia Edition, you know something big is happening in procurement across this region.

The buzzwords are out. Action has taken over.

The CPOs I met in Bangkok weren’t just talking about digital transformation—they were living it. They weren’t just aligning with sustainability goals—they were embedding ESG metrics into their sourcing scorecards. Most of all, they weren’t waiting for the future of procurement to arrive—they were actively building it.

And no voice summed up this new era of leadership better than Rai A. De Jesus, CPO of ePLDT and Head of Procurement at PLDT, Philippines.

So, I’m kicking off this “How to Become a Great CPO” blog series with what I’m calling “The Southeast Asia Playbook”—a mix of insights, lessons, and leadership mantras drawn from Rai’s experience and philosophy, as well as the incredible conversations I had at the event.

Why Southeast Asia?

Because this region is rewriting the procurement rulebook.

From Manila to Bangkok, Singapore to KL, I saw procurement leaders managing:

Cross-border complexity with local agility
Vendor risk amid shifting regulatory terrain
Sky-high expectations for innovation, ESG, and cost control—all at once

Events like CPO Thailand 2025 made one thing crystal clear: Southeast Asia isn’t playing catch-up—it’s setting the pace.

And Rai A. De Jesus? He’s one of the key players leading this charge.

The Secret Sauce of a Great CPO – Rai A. De Jesus Edition

Let me paint the picture.

Rai isn’t your typical procurement leader. With over two decades of experience across telecommunications and technology, he’s now at the helm of procurement at PLDT and ePLDT, shaping how one of Southeast Asia’s largest digital infrastructure players approaches sourcing, supplier management, and enterprise transformation.

So what sets him apart?

Let’s break it down:

1. Strategic Mindset in High-Stakes Industries

Telecom is not forgiving. It demands speed, quality, and reliability at scale. Rai thrives in this world by pairing strategic sourcing with crystal-clear business alignment.

He doesn’t just look at procurement as a function. He sees it as a value engine—one that helps drive business growth, operational resilience, and innovation.

“You can’t afford to just buy cheaper. You have to buy smarter—and be 10 steps ahead,”

he shared during his expert commentary.

2. Data-Driven, Yet Human-Centered

One of Rai’s core beliefs is that great procurement is a balance of analytics and empathy. He champions the use of data for:

Identifying cost-saving opportunities
Risk forecasting and mitigation
Enhancing supplier performance visibility

But he’s just as focused on building strong, trusting relationships—within his team and with external partners. As he said at the event:

“In an industry built on connection, procurement has to lead with trust—AI won’t replace that.”

3. Tech Fluent, Not Tech Obsessed

While many leaders are still trying to catch up with GenAI, Rai has already embraced its potential. He’s bullish about Generative AI in procurement—not for hype, but for real use cases:

Drafting contracts
Automating supplier screening
Risk analysis
Enhancing negotiation prep

But his message is clear: “AI is an enabler. Procurement leaders still need to steer the ship.”

4. Region-Specific Playbook

Southeast Asia isn’t a monolith. It’s a mosaic of cultures, policies, currencies, and compliance demands.

Rai’s “secret sauce” lies in mastering this nuance.

He builds regionally responsive procurement strategies by:

Cultivating deep local supplier networks
Navigating trade policy shifts in real time
Investing in local procurement talent
Promoting cultural fluency within his teams

As he puts it:

“If you don’t understand the terrain, you can’t lead the expedition.”

What Aspiring CPOs Can Learn from Rai

If you’re aiming for the CPO chair, here’s your takeaway from Rai A. De Jesus’ playbook:

Be Strategic, Not Just Operational
Link every procurement initiative to a broader business goal.
Champion People and Process
Use tech to empower teams, not replace them.
Be a Risk Radar
Don’t wait for disruption—anticipate and adapt ahead of time.
Think Local, Lead Global
Understand your region, respect its nuances, and tailor your procurement model accordingly.
Be Curious. Be Bold. Be Collaborative.
CPOs aren’t back-office anchors anymore. They’re business architects.

Connecting Back to CPONext SEA

In our CPONext Southeast Asia Edition, we celebrated 30 incredible procurement leaders doing just this—blending strategic thinking, people-first leadership, and next-gen technologies like Agentic AI to transform procurement across industries.

Rai’s contribution to that eBook—alongside other thought leaders—reinforces the same message: the future of procurement in SEA is already being written. It’s smart, ethical, digital, and deeply human.

If you haven’t explored the full list yet, you should.

Because these are the leaders shaping tomorrow’s sourcing strategies, today.

Download eBook: CPONext 2025: Top 30 SEA Procurement Leaders to Watch Out For

Coming Up Next in the Series…

In the next blog, we’ll dive into how to lead procurement teams in an age of AI and automation—with stories from digital-native companies who are doing it at scale.

But until then, if you’re a procurement professional looking to step up, remember this:

Becoming a great CPO isn’t about knowing it all.
It’s about knowing what matters—and building the team, tools, and trust to deliver it.

Want to see how Zycus helps CPOs like Rai elevate procurement with Agentic AI, guided buying, and real-time orchestration?

Request a Demo

Related Reads:

White Papers

The Hidden Cost of ERP Bundles: Why Procurement Needs More

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.