AI in Procurement: When ERP Is Too Late

Send me a messageWhat if your ERP only sees the supplier decision after the real battle is already over?In this episode of the Resilient Supply Chain Podcast, I’m joined by Spencer Penn, CEO and co-founder of LightSource, a direct procurement AI platform. Spencer brings a practical view from high-pressure hardware and autonomous systems environments, and we look at why procurement, data, visibility, and supplier risk now sit right at the heart of supply chain resilience.You’ll hear how direct procurement can still run, quietly and expensively, across Excel, email, and institutional memory — even inside companies that believe they’ve digitised the function. We break down why that matters for manufacturing speed, cost control, sustainability, and the ability to move before disruption hardens into margin loss.We also explore where AI agents may add real value first: not by replacing procurement teams, but by helping them manage the decisions that can create or destroy hundreds of millions in value. Spencer shares how better sourcing workflows helped one automotive programme shorten sourcing cycles by 25% and cut cost creep by 37%.And you might be surprised by his analogy: procurement is like running water. Nobody notices it when it works. Everyone notices when it stops.🎙️ Listen now to hear how Spencer Penn and LightSource are rethinking procurement, supplier visibility, and the next phase of resilient supply chains.Support the showPodcast supportersI'd like to sincerely thank this podcast's generous Subscribers:Alicia FaragKieran OgnevGary LynchAnd remember you too can become a Resilient Supply Chain+ subscriber  - it is really easy and hugely important as it will enable me to continue to create more excellent episodes like this one and give you access to bonus episodes of topical, timely supply chain resilience analysis.🎤 Looking for a keynote speaker on supply chain resilience, AI, and sustainability?I help leaders understand the forces reshaping global supply chains, from geopolitical disruption and climate risk to AI and real-time decision-making. Download my Speaker Pack: https://tinyurl.com/spkrpckFinallyIf you have any comments/suggestions or questions for the podcast - feel free to just send me a direct message on LinkedIn, or send me a message using this link.If you liked this show, please don't forget to rate and/or review it. It makes a big difference to help new people discover it. Thanks for listening.