An interview with Shane Best, Principal Consultant

Shane brings deep procurement expertise and a passion for mentoring to his role at Proxima. With a background in engineering and a career spanning global corporations, consulting, and independent work, he’s all about solving complex problems and helping others grow.

Let’s start with your background. Where are you from, what’s your area of expertise, and what was your career like before Proxima?    

“I was born in Northeast Ohio and spent much of my early life in Michigan before heading south to the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. I studied Biomedical Engineering as an undergraduate and later completed a Master’s in Industrial Engineering. After university – and a bit of globe-trotting with my wife – I began my career in procurement, a field I’ve stayed in ever since.

My early roles were hands-on, working for a smaller company with a strong focus on operations. That led to a position at a global electronics manufacturer, followed by more than a decade at Bank of America. There, I worked across everything from multi-year strategic initiatives and stakeholder management to deep-dive data analytics.

In 2017, I made the leap into independent consulting. I thrived on the variety and challenge, but after seven years, I found myself missing the collaboration, the opportunity to learn from peers, and the ability to help others grow. That’s when I discovered Proxima through strong recommendations in the industry. With each stage of the interview process, my interest only grew – it was clear this was somewhere special.”

what is your role here at proxima? talk us through your day to day.

“As a Principal Consultant, my role goes beyond just delivering client solutions. I see it as a responsibility to help grow the business, support our objectives, and guide the team. Although I am a remote worker, I make a real effort to get into the office, connect with colleagues, and mentor newer consultants. Being able to share what I’ve learned and help the next generation thrive is something I’m deeply passionate about.”

Can you talk more about the culture here at Proxima?

“Even during the interview process, which happened while I was on vacation in the UK and taking calls in all sorts of places, I got a real sense of the camaraderie and collaborative culture at Proxima.

In my first few weeks, I went from working at home to spending time in our Chicago office, meeting much of the global senior leadership team within my first month. That level of access and openness is rare – it can take years in some organizations to get face time with senior leaders.

What’s stood out the most is the genuine people-first mindset. Everyone makes an effort to connect, and that good energy has been consistent throughout my time here. The enthusiasm from newer team members is incredible, and it makes guiding and mentoring even more rewarding.”

What do you think a joiner would be most excited about joining Proxima?

“I was talking about this recently with a local teacher who invited me to speak to her students. Proxima offers a rare blend: the confidence to make bold decisions, a safe space to learn from mistakes, and a platform to grow quickly.

You don’t need years of experience to thrive here. It’s the perfect launch pad – offering a unique combination of academic insight and real-world operations. In a consulting role, you gain exposure to a wide range of industries and challenges. That kind of visibility, and the opportunity to learn fast by trying things and occasionally failing, is hard to come by.

Procurement might not always be the flashiest corner of consulting, but it touches everything – from information security and risk to make-or-buy decisions. I’d happily champion a career in procurement consulting. Whether it becomes your long-term path or a stepping stone, it’s an incredibly valuable foundation – and Proxima is a fantastic place to build it.”

What are you seeing US businesses facing at the moment in relation to procurement?

“Change is constant, and as procurement professionals, we have to embrace that. Whether it’s evolving global trade dynamics or rising tariff pressures, the key is approaching each challenge with eyes wide open and an understanding of the constraints at play.

There’s rarely a perfect answer. We’re living in complex times, and procurement is at the forefront of navigating that uncertainty. It’s about balancing risk and reward, and having the courage to act despite the unknowns.”

What about outside of work? What do you enjoy doing, and what does a work-life balance look like to you?

“My wife and I are big foodies – cooking and discovering local food scenes is a huge part of our lives, especially when we travel. To balance that out, we stay active with hiking, sailing, cycling, and paddleboarding – we’ve got a sailboat, kayaks, bikes, and a deep love for the outdoors.

We also run a small events venue out of a renovated barn on our property, complete with flower gardens and bees (pictured in the header image). From spring through autumn, it’s a flurry of music, food, and flowers. We do our best to live off the land and give back to our local community – it’s a lifestyle that keeps us grounded and connected.”

Finally, do you have a favorite piece of advice you can share with our readers?

“Absolutely – one of my favorites comes from a coach early in my career: ‘If you’ve got 30% of the questions answered, you probably don’t have enough to make a decision. If you’ve got 70%, you’ve probably waited too long.‘

We don’t need all the answers to start moving forward. The key is having just enough insight to take action – because waiting for perfection often means missing your moment.”