766: Procurement's Inflection Point: What to Expect in 2025

"As we stand here at the start of 2025, it's clear that this moment isn't about minor tweaks or incremental gains. It's about embracing fundamental shifts that challenge our long-held assumptions." - Philip Ideson, Founder and Managing Director of Art of Procurement As we head into 2025, which also marks the 10th anniversary of Art of Procurement, Founder and Managing Director Philip Ideson pauses for his annual look at the state of procurement. This year, he examines five critical trends that are reshaping procurement and redefining their role in the business, including labor trends, the role of AI and automation, the return to stakeholder-led buying, and growing geopolitical and economic uncertainty.  Drawing from hundreds of conversations with procurement leaders and subject matter experts over the last year, Philip explores how procurement teams can best position themselves at what feels like an existential and transformative inflection point for the profession. In this episode, Philip explores: How procurement will have to do more with less in 2025, and the role that AI and automation will play in making that happen The trend toward "invisible procurement" as stakeholders take back control of the purchasing process, aided by technology Why potential tariffs, inflation, and supply disruptions could present significant opportunity for procurement The four most important ways procurement can add value that machines and AI can't compete with Links: Philip Ideson on LinkedIn Art of Procurement Annual Letters Subscribe to This Week in Procurement Subscribe to Art of Procurement on YouTube