The middle child syndrome Tales from the purchasing department

The Silent Revolution of Procurement: Discover the Hidden Power Behind Every Strategic Decision
Have you ever felt that your work in Procurement is underestimated, ignored, or reduced to a mere operational function? Have you felt frustrated seeing your impact on the company remain invisible to top management? If you recognize yourself even partially in these questions, then this book was written for you. The Middle Child Syndrome is not just a provocative title: it’s the perfect metaphor for a fundamental yet often overlooked sector. A sector that deserves to emerge, reinvent itself, and rediscover its strategic value.

Katiana Iavarone: The Voice of a New Leadership in Procurement
Katiana Iavarone is an executive in a major multinational in the manufacturing and pharmaceutical sectors, with over 15 years of international experience in procurement. A mother, mentor, inclusive and passionate leader, she has transformed personal and professional challenges into strength and vision. In this book, she shares her unique journey of resilience, adaptability, and deep human awareness, becoming an inspiring guide for anyone working in Procurement who wants to redefine their role.

Do You Feel Invisible but Know You’re Essential?
Anyone who works in Procurement knows what it means to mediate between departments, handle impossible requests, and constantly justify their value. Too often pushed into the shadows, procurement professionals find themselves fighting stereotypes and prejudices, struggling to gain the recognition they deserve. This book gives a voice to those who feel the weight of a strategic yet undervalued role, offering tools, examples, and approaches to tackle this challenge.

Inside This Book, You Will Learn…

• How to shift from an operational function to a strategic lever in procurement.
• How authentic relationships, positive influence, and emotional connections drive real change.
• The new relational leadership model based on empathy, humor, and storytelling.
• How to build collaborative corporate ecosystems to break down silos and accelerate innovation.
• How digitalization, AI, and data usage are transforming procurement.
• Best practices to address sustainability, resilience, and cultural diversity challenges.
• A concrete six-step framework to lead change and transform your department.
• Tools to measure leadership, enhance human capital, and demonstrate Procurement’s value to top management.

It’s Time to Act: Transform Procurement with a More Human and Strategic Vision
This is not just a book: it’s a call to action. A powerful guide for those who want to make a difference, for those who believe that even in the least celebrated departments lies the beating heart of innovation. If you are ready to overturn the “middle child” narrative and bring out the strategic value of Procurement, this is your moment.