When Derek Wilson agreed to lead the contingent labor category at Johnson & Johnson, his primary charter was to refresh the contingent labor strategy, which included putting the entire program out to market. In addition, providing strategic direction for a category that encompasses $1.3 billion in annual spend and over 20,000 contingent workers annually keeps Wilson on his toes.

Over the past 18 months, he has transformed the way the company acquires contingent labor talent and has expanded the program to 56 countries from 41. At the same time, he has accelerated speed to hire, improved compliance and enhanced the focus on quality.

Wilson created synergy by engaging a diverse set of suppliers and assembling a large cross-functional team – including executives from procurement, R&D, finance, supply chain and talent acquisition – to help shape the new strategy.

The refreshed program aligns strategies for contingent labor recruiting with the company’s other recruiting programs, and keeps the Johnson & Johnson Credo as well as the talent experience at the center of all decision making.  The program will also deliver untapped talent pools through direct sourcing, new freelance marketplaces and over $400 million in spend with certified diverse suppliers.

Moving forward, Wilson plans to continue providing the best possible customer and candidate experience to help Johnson & Johnson fulfill its mission of blending heart, science and ingenuity to change the trajectory of health for humanity.