Brand Ambassador for US specialty materials company, establishing themselves in Europe

Chameleon International started working with a material science company, headquartered in the US and listed on the NYSE in 2015. They have a conservative culture, and for many of its 100+ years, have centralised their decision making in the US.

Previously, they hadn’t developed their supply chain and sourcing organisation to the level that is required to support a global business, however with the hiring of a new VP of Global Supply Management, they have embarked on a global transformation program.

The main driver of the program has been the development of three Supply Centre of Excellences in different parts of the world, with the aim of developing and rolling out a “best in class” supply chain and sourcing strategy to all of their global locations. Chameleon have partnered with the company across the US and Europe and have been successful in filling the following roles:

• Global Lead, Negotiation Centre of Excellence
• Global Lead, Strategic Category Management
• Regional Lead, Negotiation Centre of Excellence
• European Category Lead, Resins
• Global Category Director, Industrial Minerals
• European Category Lead, Energy
• Global Lead, Supply Chain Excellence
• Regional Lead, Supply Chain Design
• Regional Lead, Corporate & Business Services
• Global Head of Supplier Quality

Brand Ambassadors

The main factor for the success has been the sense of partnership that has been fostered between the organisations. Chameleon have built strong relationships within the leadership teams of the US and European based Centre of Excellences as well as the Human Resources Leadership team resulting in a great understanding of the company culture. The company, particularly outside of the US, is not a well-known business despite its size and success, and have required Chameleon to be their brand ambassador in the market place – to explain what transformation they are going through, what they are looking to achieve, how they operate culturally from a stakeholder management perspective and the challenges that are faced to drive forward this program.

Moving forward, Chameleon have been asked to support the company further in its US expansion and are currently engaged on project both there as well as in Eastern Europe.