Electrolux Group has named supply chain veteran Daniele Rossi head of procurement for the global home appliance manufacturer, according to a Sept. 23 press release.
Rossi succeeds Michelle Shi-Verdaasdonk, who was named chief product officer in January after 14 months as chief procurement officer. Rossi started his role Sept. 1, reporting to Shi-Verdaasdonk, the company said.
As part of the company's new product organization, procurement offers an "opportunity to drive more 'design-to-cost' initiatives in the early stage of R&D," Ross said in the release.
"By aligning component standardization and platform-sharing across global product families, we can reduce complexity and cost before a product ever hits production," he said.
Rossi, based in Susegana, Italy, has more than 30 years of experience in procurement, supply chain, quality and product development, the company said. He previously served as chief procurement officer for Italy steelmaker Acciaierie d’Italia.
Rossi plans to work with direct-material suppliers to co-develop sustainable products, accelerate time to market and strengthen supply resilience, the company said. Electrolux Group wants to integrate sustainability into sourcing decisions, evaluating suppliers on their carbon footprint, environmental performance and adherence to labor standards.
"Sustainability and responsible sourcing are no longer optional; they are interconnected strategic imperatives and a ‘must-have’ for modern procurement," Rossi said in the release.
Also, focusing on sustainability can lead to a "better selling price in the market," Rossi said.
