MTMG’s ConnectToWork with Melody Philhower - Transforming Procurement Through Data-Driven Strategies and Supplier Partnerships

Episode Synopsis:

In this episode, we speak with Melody Philhower, a seasonedprocurement leader whose career spans from Toyota to Baxter International. Melody shares her expertise in strategic sourcing, supplier relationship management, and crisis response, including a pivotal experience managing a supplier bankruptcy that threatened production. Through her stories, Melody illuminates the importance of thorough supplier evaluation, cross-functional teamwork, and being fully present as both a leader and a parent of twins.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

💡 How to effectively navigate supplier crises through strong relationships, detailed processes, and cross-functional collaboration

✅ The lasting impact of Toyota's principles—problem-solving, detail orientation, and process-driven thinking—on procurement leadership

🎯 The value of being fully present and focused when engaging with team members rather than multitasking

Key Quotes:

🎤 "We went into full crisis mode, got a team assembled. I need procurement, I need engineering, I need quality, I need operations. I need all of these people to make this happen."

🎤 "You have to have a consistent process. It's going to change, but you need to have a standard process whether you're negotiating with suppliers, trying to solve a problem, or figuring out how to move tools."

🎤 "Being present and focused for my kids has always been a priority for me... and that's what I really have brought into my professional life."

Meet The Interviewee:

Melody Philhower is a Senior Director of ProcurementBusiness Processes and Analytics at Baxter International with extensive experience in the automotive and medical technology industries. Her career journey includes leadership roles at Toyota, where she managed multi-million-dollar purchasing operations, and at Baxter International, where she has led procurement data analytics, supplier EDI implementation, and payment term standardization projects. Melody has a proven track record of implementing procurement analytics dashboards, spearheading margin improvement projects, and optimizing supplier management processes. She applies the principles she learned at Toyota—problem-solving, attention to detail, and process-driven thinking—to her leadership approach. Melody balances her demanding career with being a present and engaged mother to twins, bringing that same focused attention to her team members.

References mentioned: "Who Moved My Cheese"by Spencer Johnson

How to Connect

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melody-philhower-procurement/
📧 Email: [e-mail]

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With ConnectToWork, we amplify real career stories toinspire and connect professionals. If you or someone you know is navigating a career transition, we'd love to hear your story.

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