In this interview, Ivan Frota Pacheco is introduced as an experienced procurement and supply chain leader who is now taking on the role of leading the Fleet & Mobility Managers Club (FMMC) in Brazil. Ivan explains his current position as Regional Director of Indirect Procurement at EssilorLuxottica, a company that owns major brands such as Ray‑Ban and Oakley.

He oversees a regional fleet of almost 800 vehicles, used by sales teams, field technicians, and executives, as stated: “We have in the whole region almost 800 vehicles… a good portion of them were cars used as work tools”. Ivan describes the challenges following the Essilor–Luxottica merger, noting a previously “very chaotic scenario… no standardization of vehicle models… fragmented with low governance”.

The pandemic added complexity during the early stages of integration. He emphasizes that modern procurement must shift from cost‑driven decisions to value creation, risk mitigation, and innovation. He advocates for long‑term strategic partnerships and for fleet managers to align with company goals and internal stakeholders. Ivan highlights the importance of networking, saying: “I really believe in the power of networking, of professional connections”.

Looking ahead, he argues that fleet leaders must adopt a broader mobility mindset, embrace technology, and act as cross‑functional consultants rather than purely operational managers.