Art of Procurement

"We need to evolve from procurement professionals into business leaders with procurement expertise." - Israel Santiesteban, Former Chief Procurement Officer and Head of Supply Chain The next evolution of procurement is about so much more than cost savings. With new digital tools and relentless business change, leaders are being asked to deliver value in new ways and, as a result, develop talent for roles that didn't exist a few years ago. In this episode, Philip Ideson speaks with Israel Santiesteban, a former CPO and supply chain leader with experience across Danone, Kraft Heinz, Schreiber Foods, and more, who's spent decades delivering end-to-end transformation in fast-moving sectors.  They discuss what it really takes to unlock the power of data and AI, and why the next generation of procurement jobs will look very different. Israel also opens up about the risks and opportunities of working with startups, the reality behind scenario planning, and why high-performing teams need to shift from transactional work to strategic value-creation.  In this episode, Israel also discusses: -How to cut through the hype and use AI for quick wins in neglected indirect spend -Discovering how CPOs can partner with startups for tailored solutions -Ways to move from reactive firefighting to true predictive scenario planning -The importance of building new procurement roles that blend digital fluency with business acumen -Rethinking procurement metrics that show value, not just savings   Links: Israel Santiesteban on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/israel-santiesteban-43627b1b/  Subscribe to the AOP Newsletter: https://resources.artofprocurement.com/art-of-procurement-podcast-subscribe  Subscribe to Art of Procurement on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ArtofProcurement   

"If your business is getting bigger, then supplier management is going to be ever more important to you." - Jesse Lee, Co-founder, CEO of Brooklyn Solutions Procurement's role in managing suppliers is transforming fast: scope is growing, expectations are higher, and the risks are real. Getting supplier management right is essential to business resilience, especially when the entire organization depends on partners and external providers. In this episode, Brooklyn Solutions CEO Jesse Lee joins ProcureTech Insider host Jyothi Hartley to zero in on today's big challenges and the practical answers that have worked in enterprise environments. Jesse brings experience across engineering, law, and SaaS product management, giving him a unique vantage point on how supplier management actually drives (or stalls) value. Hear their frank conversation about what "good" truly looks like in supplier management, how to connect data and teams, and which steps CPOs should prioritize right now. In this episode, Jesse discusses how procurement should: -Redefine supplier management to accelerate your business roadmap -Address expanding scope: onboarding, third-party risk, and relationship management -Make operational resilience a built-in feature, not an afterthought -Connect data and policies for seamless end-to-end supplier oversight -Build a holistic roadmap when evaluating new solutions   Links: Jesse Lee on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-lee-64310a/  Visit the Brooklyn Solutions profile in the AOP Provider Directory: https://artofprocurement.com/provider-directory/brooklyn-solutions  Subscribe to the AOP Newsletter: https://resources.artofprocurement.com/art-of-procurement-podcast-subscribe  Subscribe to Art of Procurement on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ArtofProcurement   

"The future of procurement isn't actually AI. It's people using AI to improve business outcomes and improve their own value add." - Vishal Patel, SVP Product & Customer Marketing at Ivalua Many procurement teams have adopted AI in some aspect, but only a few have figured out how to turn those early experiments into sustainable, scalable business value. With market expectations rising and teams overstretched, leaders are being challenged to translate AI's potential into measurable outcomes. In this episode, Philip Ideson speaks with Vishal Patel, SVP of Product and Customer Marketing at Ivalua, at their Procurement Innovation On Tour event. Vishal candidly shares what separates companies truly scaling value from those still spinning their wheels, from focusing on quick wins to treating AI as strategic muscle instead of just another tool. He also shares several practical ways procurement can accelerate their AI journey, without waiting for perfect conditions… or data.  In this episode, Vishal discusses how to: -Identify quick-win AI projects that unlock real business value   -Turn data challenges into progress instead of roadblocks   -Build confidence and trust through transparency and feedback   -Avoid "agent sprawl" and focus on scalable skills   -Make AI a capability, not just software   Links: Vishal Patel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vishal-patel-841574/  Subscribe to the AOP Newsletter: https://resources.artofprocurement.com/art-of-procurement-podcast-subscribe  Subscribe to Art of Procurement on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ArtofProcurement   

"I measure success by the number of executives that come to us before they make decisions." - Gary Mizhir, Senior Director Head of Innovation & Excellence, FIS The pressure to move from tactical cost savings to strategic business impact is growing, especially as AI, data, and new business needs emerge faster than ever.  But what does it mean to drive innovation with AI and still keep procurement a credible and sought-after partner at the executive table? In this episode, Philip Ideson speaks with Gary Mizhir, Senior Director, Head of Innovation and Excellence at FIS. Gary brings a holistic perspective, shaped by experiences in the Navy, consulting, product management, and years leading Fortune 500 supply chain and procurement teams. His take on the future, from paradigm-shifting AI to building trust with stakeholders and translating procurement's value into corporate terms, offers practical guidance for CPOs and their teams. In this episode, Gary discusses: -Why we need to challenge traditional procurement roles  -How to use AI to redefine value and operating models -The importance of tying procurement's ROI directly to corporate outcomes  -How to build trusted partnerships with internal stakeholders  -Rethinking process design by experiencing it through your stakeholders' eyes   Links: Gary Mizhir on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-mizhir-b923344/  Subscribe to the AOP Newsletter: https://resources.artofprocurement.com/art-of-procurement-podcast-subscribe  Subscribe to Art of Procurement on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ArtofProcurement   

In this Provider of the Week episode of the ProcureTech Insider podcast, host Jyothi Hartley speaks with Darshan Deshmukh, President of ProcureAbility. ProcureAbility is a leading procurement and supply chain services provider, offering advisory, managed services, digital solutions, and talent support to help organizations drive measurable value and build sustainable procurement capabilities. In this episode, Darshan shares how ProcureAbility has evolved from a traditional consulting model into a full-service partner, one that not only identifies opportunities but also helps clients execute and sustain results over time. From their focus on procurement-specialized talent to their emphasis on becoming a seamless extension of client teams, this discussion highlights what it takes for high-performing procurement teams to move beyond strategy and deliver consistent outcomes and value to the business. In this episode, you'll learn: -How ProcureAbility structures its services across advisory, managed services, staffing, and digital -Why talent specialization is a core differentiator in procurement delivery -How they measure success through both traditional KPIs and "client implied promise" -The growing importance of revenue enablement and supply chain resilience as procurement metrics -What procurement leaders should expect as AI reshapes service delivery models Links:  Darshan Deshmukh on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darshan-deshmukh/ AOP Provider Directory - ProcureAbility: https://artofprocurement.com/provider-directory/procureability  Subscribe to the AOP Newsletter: https://resources.artofprocurement.com/art-of-procurement-podcast-subscribe  Subscribe to Art of Procurement on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ArtofProcurement   

"You need to get visibility into the AI tokens, what workloads they are being used for, which users are using them, and what department they're coming out of. Most organizations don't have that visibility yet. They just get the bill." - Jon Winsett, CEO, NPI AI tokens have gone from a niche curiosity to a major line item practically overnight.  The cost models are new, spending is climbing at breakneck speed, and most enterprises can't actually see what's driving their biggest AI bills. For anyone tasked with managing technology spend, this is mission-critical territory for the rest of 2026 and beyond. In this episode, Philip Ideson speaks with Jon Winsett, CEO of NPI, to unpack everything procurement leaders need to know about AI tokens. Jon and his team advise some of the world's largest companies on navigating this new category and share what's working (and what's not). From budgeting pitfalls to guarding against runaway costs, Jon explains the challenges and opportunities associated with AI tokens. Jon tackles questions like: Where are organizations overspending? How do you negotiate when the rules keep changing? What practical steps can CPOs take right now?  Listen in for a pragmatic, insider's view on: -How and where rapidly rising AI token costs are hitting enterprise budgets   -Ways to build practical guardrails and learn from early missteps   -How to use open source models and contract negotiation as real levers   -Why current consumption-based pricing is likely to change again soon     Links: Jon Winsett | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-winsett-0734b/  Enterprise AI Pulse Study: https://arcana-research.com/study/npi - For Fortune 1000 enterprises that want to participate Governing AI Token Spend - A Five-Layer Defense Framework: https://www.npifinancial.com/knowledge-center/white-paper-governing-ai-token-spend/ - Whitepaper Learn more about NPI: https://www.npifinancial.com/  Subscribe to the AOP Newsletter: https://resources.artofprocurement.com/art-of-procurement-podcast-subscribe  Subscribe to Art of Procurement on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ArtofProcurement   

"Don't overvalue the top procurement spot, and don't undervalue the tools and the budget required. It's an ecosystem." - Stephen Rauf, Global Head of Indirect Procurement, Zoetis Delivering more value with fewer resources is an easy thing to want, but tough to execute consistently over time… unless procurement rethinks their entire approach, from operating model and team structure to technology and stakeholder influence. In this episode, Philip Ideson speaks with Stephen Rauf, Global Head of Indirect Procurement at Zoetis, the world's leading animal health company. Stephen unpacks how he has steered a lean, high-impact team through transformation, why "build vs. buy" is a weekly question, and what it takes to create true business partnership – while surfacing next-gen use cases for AI.  In this episode, Stephen shares his point of view on: -Building nimble procurement teams that can punch above their weight -Moving from managing spend to shaping demand with stakeholders -Using tech – and especially AI – to enable rather than overwhelm -Deciding when to build internal strength vs. partnering for expertise -Measuring a broader spectrum of procurement value, not just cost savings   Links: Stephen Rauf on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenrauf/  Subscribe to the AOP Newsletter: https://resources.artofprocurement.com/art-of-procurement-podcast-subscribe  Subscribe to Art of Procurement on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ArtofProcurement   

Procurement teams are under increasing pressure to do more with less… less time, less headcount, and often less budget. But, at the same time, the volume of data they manage continues to grow, making it harder to uncover insights and act on them quickly. That's the challenge Suplari wants to solve. In this ProcureTech Insider Startup of the Week episode, Jyothi Hartley speaks with Jeff Gerber, Co-Founder and CEO of Suplari, about how AI-powered procurement intelligence can help teams move beyond visibility and into action. Suplari brings together fragmented spend, supplier, and contract data into a single, governed source of truth. From there, its AI capabilities identify opportunities, surface risks, and increasingly help teams take action by automating the path from insight to impact. Jeff shares Suplari's origin story, why traditional analytics fall short, and how procurement teams can start unlocking value from their data faster than they might expect. In this episode, Jeff discusses: Why connecting siloed procurement data is the foundation for better decision-making How AI can move procurement beyond analytics into action and orchestration What makes Supplari different in a crowded AI and analytics market How procurement teams can uncover hidden savings and inefficiencies Why imperfect data shouldn't stop you from getting started Links: Jeff Gerber on LinkedIn Subscribe to the AOP Newsletter Subscribe to Art of Procurement on YouTube  

"Catalyst is really a unicorn. You walk in the room, check your ego at the door, and everybody is there to learn." - Christine Moore, Managing Partner, RAUS Global Procurement is racing to harness AI, but simply "doing more" won't be enough. At Catalyst San Francisco, the most recent in-person event hosted by Art of Procurement, procurement executives came together to confront what's truly needed right now: going beyond efficiency, investing in stronger change management, and breaking free of the old excuses that hold teams back. In this event recap conversation, Christine Moore, Managing Partner at RAUS Global, and Joe Postiglione Sr., author of the upcoming book Achieve Results with AI and Avoid the CFO Hot Seat, join Philip Ideson to discuss how intimate, curated professional gatherings like Catalyst drive practical, real-world progress.  Listen in to hear what sets this unique environment apart, why open dialogue matters more than buzzwords, and how procurement leaders can champion a culture that turns AI into a strategic advantage to deliver measurable, real-world results. Whether you're developing your own digital roadmap or guiding your business partners, these takeaways will help you reframe what's possible for procurement. In this episode, Christine and Joe describe how procurement can: Build a proactive, outcome-driven approach to AI projects   Lead change and create a sense of safety for candid discussions   Reframe the "data problem" and move initiatives forward   Recognize how compute and AI usage costs can impact value   Shift from pure efficiency to growth-focused thinking Links: Christine Moore on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christine-adamsson-moore/  Joe Postiglione Sr. on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joepostiglione/  Subscribe to the AOP Newsletter: https://resources.artofprocurement.com/art-of-procurement-podcast-subscribe  Subscribe to Art of Procurement on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ArtofProcurement   

In the final episode of "Buy: The Way...To Purposeful Procurement," Philip Ideson, Rich Ham, and Kelly Barner reflect on 18 months of exploration, 32 episodes, and a remarkable roster of guests who collectively proved that procurement's incentive problems are both bigger and more solvable than most realize. The flaws we uncovered aren't just procurement's problem, and there are often far-reaching, real-life consequences. For example, when buyer-side dysfunction enables seller-side exploitation, consumers absorb higher costs. When short-term savings metrics kill long-term initiatives like energy efficiency investments, the climate crisis deepens. When procurement is measured on fictional savings rather than actual P&L impact, the entire profession gets relegated to asking for a seat at the table instead of earning one. Building on Alan Veeck's call from the previous episode to convene "the smartest thinkers in our industry," the hosts sketch out what should come next from pragmatists alongside visionaries, skeptics alongside believers, and C-level advocates outside of procurement who can sell the vision to their peers. We don't need philosophical discussions about value, but actual business cases quantifying both the harms of keeping things status quo and the upside of change. Not just theoretical frameworks, but practical answers to the logistics of administering new measurement systems. Not just ideas, but examples shown in action that give others confidence to follow. As automation commoditizes tactical work, procurement has never been under more pressure to articulate what they stand for and how they connect to business value. The pace of AI-driven change makes solving the incentive problem more critical than ever, because the function needs to know what higher-value work looks like before the efficiencies arrive. So, while the series may be ending, as Rich notes, it feels more like a beginning. Thirty-two episodes proved the story was worth covering. Now comes the harder part: turning all of that conversation into action. Links: Rich Ham on LinkedInLearn more at FineTuneUs.com

"If you focus on stakeholders' needs and add value, the savings will always follow." - Brad DeHart, Senior Vice President, Customer Growth, Continuum Procurement leaders have always been expected to deliver value under pressure, but when resources are thin, the old playbook just doesn't cut it. What does it take to truly become a trusted partner to the business and move beyond savings-only conversations? Art of Procurement host Philip Ideson welcomes Brad DeHart, a seasoned leader who's helped shape marketing procurement functions across industries. Brad's experience spans both the buy and sell sides, giving him a front-row seat to what works, and what might set your team back. In this candid discussion, Brad challenges common assumptions about where procurement should focus their efforts, why some models falter, and how the right mindset (and soft skills) open real doors to influence. He shares memorable stories and actionable advice for CPOs and category leads navigating complexity and stakeholder fatigue. In this episode, Brad covers: - Redesigning relationships with marketing to move beyond 'just savings' - Recognizing why the 'strategic vs. tactical spend' debate misses the point - Structuring teams for trust, influence, and long-term results - Building soft skills that matter as much as procurement expertise   Links: Brad DeHart on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/braddehart/  Subscribe to the AOP Newsletter: https://resources.artofprocurement.com/art-of-procurement-podcast-subscribe  Subscribe to Art of Procurement on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ArtofProcurement   

"Procurement has to become an ecosystem builder for the enterprise, because no enterprise can do everything by itself in today's world." - Saurabh Gupta Procurement leaders are feeling the pressure to "be AI-first," yet most struggle to get past the hype and deliver real business value. With AI reshaping buying categories and challenging process norms, now is the time to rethink procurement's role. In this ProcureTech Insider episode, Saurabh Gupta, President of HFS, joins Jyothi Hartley to talk candidly about how AI is forcing procurement to confront old habits and rethink category strategy. Saurabh introduces practical frameworks for CPOs striving to become strategic partners, not just operational gatekeepers. He shares how blending services and software is creating a new buying challenge, and why procurement must finally forge closer ties to business outcomes and work across traditional silos. In this episode, Saurabh discusses how to: Pinpoint the "debts" holding procurement back from adopting AI Build a balanced 4P framework for tracking AI's value Prepare for the rise of "services as software" and what it means for category management Shift the procurement mindset from reactive support to enterprise ecosystem builder Links: Saurabh Gupta on LinkedIn The CPO mandate: Seize the AI moment and claim the strategy seat Subscribe to the AOP Newsletter Subscribe to Art of Procurement on YouTube  

"Digital masters aren't just deploying technology. They're changing the way procurement runs." - Chris Riley, Partner - Supply Chain and Procurement, Deloitte As AI-enabled tools shift the landscape from efficiency to true strategic impact, CPOs are tasked with making sense of new operating models, changing expectations, and how to redeploy talent toward higher-value work. In this episode, Deloitte's Chris Riley, Ryan Flynn, and Jocelyn Mayfield join Philip Ideson to break down the findings of Deloitte's latest CPO and AI surveys. They reveal what sets digital masters apart, how top teams link digital investments to business outcomes, and what it takes to move from process efficiency to business advisor. Whether you're rolling out AI for the first time or redesigning your operating model, this conversation dives deep into practical lessons and next steps for forward-thinking procurement teams. In this episode, Chris, Ryan, and Jocelyn will discuss: - What "digital masters" do differently  - Why operating model design now has existential importance for procurement - The real opportunity (and challenge) in reskilling for the AI era - How cultural change and reward systems drive sustainable transformation Links: Chris Riley on LinkedIn Ryan Flynn on LinkedIn Jocelyn Mayfield on LinkedIn Subscribe to the AOP Newsletter Subscribe to Art of Procurement on YouTube   As used in this document, "Deloitte" means Deloitte Consulting LLP, a subsidiary of Deloitte LLP. Please seewww.deloitte.com/us/aboutfor a detailed description of our legal structure. Certain services may not be available to attest clients under the rules and regulations of public accounting. This podcast contains general information only and Deloitte is not, by means of this podcast, rendering accounting, business, financial, investment, legal, tax, or other professional advice or services. This podcast is not a substitute for such professional advice or services, nor should it be used as a basis for any decision or action that may affect your business. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your business, you should consult a qualified professional advisor. Deloitte shall not be responsible for any loss sustained by any person who relies on this podcast.  

"Isn't it true that everybody talks about supplier management, but nobody does it?"  This observation from Summit Procurement CEO and Founder Alan Veeck captures the delta between procurement's aspirations and the reality on the ground. It's a gap, he says, that AI might finally help close, but only if organizations resist the temptation to simply slash headcount when AI-powered efficiencies arrive. In this episode of "Buy: The Way...To Purposeful Procurement," co-hosts Philip Ideson and Rich Ham speak with Alan Veeck to explore what it might look like if procurement was unleashed to pursue actual value, and why the resistance to that vision remains so formidable. Alan presents listeners with a thought experiment: imagine a CPO given two directives: first, embrace AI to drive maximum efficiency, but second, keep every team member despite the bandwidth freed up by AI. His answer reveals momentous untapped potential: those 25 entry-level people whose salaries total $2.5 million annually? In a billion-dollar enterprise, he says, they could find 10x that value "in their sleep" within months through proper supplier engagement, category management, and relationship building.  This notion also brings procurement's existential challenge into the light. Without fixing flawed incentive structures, procurement will "continue to be the ones asking for a seat at the table."  One-off conversations and content won't solve these issues. Instead, Alan says it's time to convene "the smartest thinkers in our industry" into what Rich dubs a "fellowship." The goal: creating industry standards for measuring value across different contexts, giving organizations practical frameworks to escape the savings delusion. As Rich notes, there's no general ledger line item for savings, only costs. Procurement can be "the hero of the expense side of the ledger," but only if they muster the collective confidence to take the necessary steps. Links: Alan Veeck on LinkedInRich Ham on LinkedInLearn more at FineTuneUs.com

"Right now, procurement needs to define their future role in the business. Procurement needs to drive that for themselves, because if we don't, then someone is going to drive it for us, and that could drive us out." - Gordon Donovan, Vice President Research - Procurement & External Workforce, SAP Business models are being disrupted, and so is procurement. This year's Economist Impact report reveals a sharp drop in C-suite confidence, a dramatic return to basics on cost and compliance, and AI taking center stage as both opportunity and challenge.  Amid these changes, how can CPOs set a strategy that's fit for tomorrow, not just today? Gordon Donovan, VP of Research for Procurement and External Workforce at SAP, returns to the show with exclusive data and a candid view on industry shifts. Gordon breaks down what really matters in this year's survey: the operational realities behind AI, the new direction for category management, and why rethinking old processes is the only way forward. In this episode, Gordon discusses: Why procurement confidence shrank up to 18% globally   The importance of zeroing in on cost and compliance as resurgent priorities   Rethinking category management for a complex new landscape   How to pinpoint where AI delivers and the barriers still holding teams back   Why now is the time to reinvent, not just digitize Links: Gordon Donovan on LinkedIn Homepage: The Procurement Imperative 2026 Report: The Procurement Imperative Infographic: A View from the C-Suite in 2026 Subscribe to the AOP Newsletter Subscribe to Art of Procurement on YouTube  

It's no secret: procurement teams are under increasing pressure to deliver savings, handle more work with leaner teams, and modernize outdated processes… all at once. While software solutions have flooded the market, much of the daily reality still involves spreadsheets and emails, especially for indirect or non-strategic spend. Stan Moskovtsev, co-founder and U.S. CEO of Zinit, wants to solve this. Drawing on his years leading digital procurement at McKinsey, Stan built a SaaS-enabled B2B marketplace that addresses these day-to-day pain points. In this ProcureTech Insider Startup of the Week episode, Stan joins Jyothi Hartley to unveil Zinit's unique "AI-native" architecture, outcome-based commercial model, and flexible approach to getting clients up and running quickly. Curious how a new breed of marketplace could break the cycle of underutilized tools and lagging ROI? Hear firsthand what drives procurement results in markets large and small. In this episode, Stan discusses: Why procurement teams still default to email and Excel, even after investing in tools How outcome-based pricing removes cost barriers and drives adoption What it means to build with AI at the foundation not as an afterthought How Zinit enables fast, low-lift pilots and delivers clear ROI on tail spend   Links: Stan Moskovtsev on LinkedIn Visit Zinit's Page in the AOP Provider Directory Subscribe to the AOP Newsletter Subscribe to Art of Procurement on YouTube  

"Don't speak about category savings because that's procurement lingo. We need to speak about gross margin expansion at the end-product level." - Sammeli Sammalkorpi, Co-Founder and CEO, Sievo Spend analytics has moved well beyond spreadsheets, but most organizations are still guessing about what 'good' performance looks like.  When Sievo analyzed $1.4 trillion of procurement spend, the findings were both confirming and, in some places, eye-opening. With the business landscape changing rapidly, adaptation backed by data is more important than ever. In this Art of Procurement podcast episode, Philip Ideson and Kelly Barner are joined by Sammeli Sammalkorpi, Co-Founder and CEO of Sievo. Sammeli details Sievo's approach to benchmarking, the surprising patterns in the data, and where CPOs may be missing untapped value. He also shares practical ways to reframe procurement's business impact, anchoring spend to revenue, and challenging old assumptions about control. The conversation covers fresh ways to benchmark your team's performance, build actionable industry comparisons, and rethink what matters in spend analytics. In this episode, Sammeli discusses: Why even the most mature organizations still miss large opportunities How to identify the hidden business impact of spend spikes and payment terms The importance of comparing industry benchmarks to spot real, actionable gaps Rethinking "control" in procurement: Is a PO always required? How clean data unlocks speed and better decisions Links: Sammeli Sammalkorpi on LinkedIn State of Spend Report 2025 Subscribe to the AOP Newsletter Subscribe to Art of Procurement on YouTube  

AI is already changing procurement, but, for many, the bigger and more difficult question is what will happen to people in the process. Procurement has long been constrained by capacity: too much data, too many transactions, and not enough time to step back and think strategically. Now, with AI accelerating analysis, automating tasks, and reshaping workflows, that constraint is starting to loosen. But more capacity doesn't automatically create more value. In this episode of Buy: The Way…To Purposeful Procurement, Friddy Hoegener, co-founder of Scope Recruiting and a former procurement practitioner, joins co-hosts Philip Ideson and Rich Ham to explore what AI really means for procurement talent, hiring, and the future of the function. Friddy sits at a unique intersection. He has lived procurement from the inside and now evaluates it from the outside, helping companies hire the people who will define its future. What he sees is both promising… and unsettling. On the one hand, AI is making work more efficient. Recruiters no longer spend hours taking notes or writing candidate summaries, and procurement can analyze data faster and make decisions more quickly. Entry-level roles that once focused on repetitive tasks are beginning to evolve into something more strategic. However, AI is also distorting how talent is evaluated, and not always to the benefit of the candidate or the employer. It has never been easier for candidates to look polished, tailored, and highly qualified on paper. Resumes, outreach messages, and even interview preparation can be AI-assisted, making it harder than ever to distinguish between genuine capability and well-generated output. As a result, the traditional filters procurement relies on are breaking down, forcing hiring teams back to something more fundamental: actual human conversation. Links: Friddy Hoegener on LinkedIn Rich Ham on LinkedIn Learn more at FineTuneUs.com  

"Procurement now gets to decide where to play, who does the work, and how much of that work is done by humans versus agents." - Viji Doraiswamy, VP Product Marketing, Coupa Senior procurement leaders are under pressure to deliver much more than just savings. The next advantage lies in the intelligent orchestration of processes, where agentic AI not only automates intake, but enables teams to truly focus on value and strategy. In this episode, Philip Ideson speaks with Viji Doraiswamy, VP of Product Marketing at Coupa. Drawing on hands-on experience with large-scale clients, Viji explains what's actually working with agentic AI, how companies are overcoming trust barriers, and why orchestration (not just digitization) holds the key to operating model transformation. She also shares specific use cases where teams are already realizing ROI and freeing up time for strategic work. In addition to sharing proven tactics for building adoption, assessing risk, and unlocking the next level of procurement impact, Viji discusses: How to separate intake from orchestration and why orchestration drives impact How to shift your procurement operating model for greater control and delegation Building confidence in agent-driven outcomes with explainability and phased rollouts Where most companies start on the agentic AI journey and where they get the greatest ROI Links: Viji Doraiswamy on LinkedIn Subscribe to the AOP Newsletter Subscribe to Art of Procurement on YouTube  

In a world defined by volatility, procurement leaders need more than gut instinct to navigate supply chain risks. From regulatory pressure to sudden trade disruptions, organizations can't afford blind spots. This is why risk intelligence and AI-powered efficiency are climbing the CPO agenda. This week, Harald Nitschinger, co-founder and CEO of Prewave, joins the ProcureTech Insider podcast to discuss how their platform helps organizations move beyond basic supplier visibility to real-time, actionable risk insights. Built with both ESG compliance and resilience in mind, Prewave's approach helps procurement teams anticipate – not just react to – new threats and opportunities. Harald shares how deep supply chain mapping, scenario planning, and seamless integration with procurement tools have set Prewave apart with over 250 global brands. Listen to the full episode to hear Harald's insights on: Uncovering ways to map and monitor risk across all supplier tiers in real time How Prewave's approach balances compliance, sustainability, and operational resilience How leading procurement teams are automating risk identification and avoiding survey overload What's next for AI-driven supply chain intelligence and how CPOs can get ahead Links: Harald Nitschinger on LinkedIn Subscribe to the AOP Newsletter Subscribe to Art of Procurement on YouTube Learn More About Prewave in AOP's Provider Directory  

"In the AI regime, things are going to be disrupted. So be ready to be disrupted." - Dr. Swapnil Dubey In a market as complex and fast-changing as India, procurement's role has transformed from tactical to strategic… and fast. As global manufacturers shift operations and Indian firms chase world-class performance, the need for advanced procurement leadership has never been greater. In this Art of Procurement podcast episode, Philip Ideson speaks with veteran procurement leader Dr. Swapnil Dubey, whose four-decade career spans India's procurement evolution, from the early days of shared service centers to today's digital and AI-driven frontier.  They discuss how Indian procurement teams are matching their global peers, why AI could upend white-collar work, and where new career opportunities are emerging for the next generation. Swapnil also explains how local strengths, regulatory shifts, and new tech are shaping India's overall procurement landscape. Listen to the full episode to hear Swapnil's perspective on: Why executives at every level are now championing procurement The true drivers (and blockers) of digital transformation in Indian firms How AI will reshape talent, roles, and upskilling Diverse career journeys to today's CPO seat Links: Dr. Swapnil Dubey on LinkedIn Subscribe to the AOP Newsletter Subscribe to Art of Procurement on YouTube  

"What you think of as the data isn't the right data."  This observation from FineTune COO Brian Gamble shines an (uncomfortable) spotlight on one of procurement's biggest challenges: AI has the potential to completely transform the function (in a good way) and drive a significant amount of value for the business, but only if organizations first acknowledge how inadequate their current data actually is. In the twenty-ninth episode of "Buy: The Way...To Purposeful Procurement," Philip Ideson, Rich Ham, and Kelly Barner reflect on recent conversations with procurement tech pioneer Jason Busch and category expert Brian Gamble. They explore the troubling reality that procurement's future with AI depends almost completely on having the right data, while most organizations don't even know what the right data looks like. This conversation exposes the gap between what practitioners call "the data" and what actually constitutes useful information for decision-making. Invoice details, contracts housed in various systems, and perhaps some quarterly business review reports make up most of what the average procurement professional considers their data foundation.  Suppliers have systematically reduced invoice transparency over the years, removing fields that enabled auditing, all under the guise of creating "easier to read" formats, and procurement is left to deal with the fallout.  The episode also connects back to Buylaws 5 and 6, prioritizing comprehensive high-quality data and developing expense-specific systems of measurement, while simultaneously setting up the next conversation about how compensation models and hiring practices must evolve for procurement's uncertain future.  Links: Rich Ham on LinkedInLearn more at FineTuneUs.com

"Change is the only constant today. Disruption is happening more frequently, and procurement has to be ready for the unknown." - Jon Jensen, Partner & Managing Director, AlixPartners Procurement leaders are facing more disruption, pressure, and technology change than ever before. Resilience, agility, and the smart use of AI are now table stakes, but only a handful of teams are turning these shifts into real business advantage.  How are the best-in-class CPOs getting ahead? In this episode, Amit Mahajan and Jon Jensen, Partners at AlixPartners, reveal insights from the 2026 CPO Executive Insights Report. They share how top teams are shifting from a cost focus to value creation, why indirect procurement is becoming a growth engine, and what's really holding back AI adoption in procurement. You'll also hear practical guidance on balancing quick AI wins with long-term ROI, and how leaders make disruption work for them instead of against them. In this episode, Amit and Jon cover: The core disruptions shaping CPO priorities in 2026 Approach AI adoption with practical use cases, not expectations for perfection Engage suppliers and stakeholders with new strategies Links: 2026 CPO Executive Insights Report Amit Mahajan on LinkedIn Jon Jensen on LinkedIn Subscribe to the AOP Newsletter Subscribe to Art of Procurement on YouTube  

"The world as we know it in procurement and tech will change beyond recognition over the next couple of years." - Adam Brown Procurement teams are grappling with a wave of new digital solutions and AI-powered tools, making it harder than ever to stay ahead. The role of the CPO is shifting, as leaders must balance business risk, speed-to-value, and a tech landscape that doesn't wait for anyone. In this ProcureTech Insider episode, Adam Brown joins host Jyothi Hartley to demystify how procurement organizations can innovate faster while remaining practical. Adam, a founding voice in the ProcureTech100 and veteran of large-scale digital pilots, shares hard-earned lessons on running a "digital garage," partnering with startups, and testing next-gen tech without getting burned. If you're looking to compress your innovation cycle and get smarter about where to place your bets, Adam's candid stories and actionable tips offer a blueprint you can use. Listen in for the mindset, models, and steps to get your team "garage ready." In this episode, Adam covers: How the digital procurement landscape is evolving faster than ever Where digital garages fit in an innovation strategy for CPOs Practical steps to manage risk and reward with startup partners Realistic ways to pilot AI without putting business continuity at risk Links: Adam Brown on LinkedIn Subscribe to the AOP Newsletter Subscribe to Art of Procurement on YouTube  

"The goal isn't to create a room where people consume content, it's to create a room where they come ready to work on their organization." - Philip Ideson, Founder and Managing Director, Art of Procurement The pace of business change has made traditional procurement conferences feel outdated. Senior procurement leaders can't afford passive learning; they need real conversations with peers who face the same challenges they do.  That's what the Art of Procurement Catalyst event series was built to deliver. This week, AOP Founder and Managing Director Philip Ideson and Jim Cahalan, Art of Procurement's new Director of Events, discuss what makes AOP Catalyst events different from other professional gatherings.  Jim explains how thoughtful event design, unique venues, and practitioner-led discussions are the keys to outcomes that matter at the CPO level. From building trust among decision-makers to focusing sessions on what you'll do first thing Monday, this episode will help you see event participation as a true 'catalyst' for change. Listen to this episode to hear Philip and Jim discuss: Why Catalyst is built for action, not just ideas How unique venues and small group formats drive real conversation The value of practitioner-led facilitation and outside perspectives How CPOs can future-proof their teams beyond AI implementation   Links: Learn more about AOP's Catalyst Event Series for senior procurement leaders Philip Ideson on LinkedIn Jim Cahalan on LinkedIn Subscribe to the AOP Newsletter Subscribe to Art of Procurement on YouTube  

Procurement talks about "the data" as if it's neutral. It rarely is. For years, we have talked about "the data" as if it were a single, uniform thing… a stack of invoices, a dashboard of KPIs, a quarterly business review deck handed over by a supplier. Here's the problem: invoices are curated. Reports are crafted. And, most of the time, suppliers decide what you see… unless you know what to ask for. In this episode of Buy: The Way…To Purposeful Procurement, Brian Gamble, COO at FineTune and a 30-year veteran of indirect services, joins podcast co-hosts Philip Ideson and Rich Ham to unpack BuyLaw #6: "develop expense-specific systems." The directive is fairly simple on its surface, but it's also disruptive: no single data set or measurement system works across diverse categories. Uniforms are not utilities. Security is not pest control. Waste is not janitorial supplies. And trying to manage them all with the same playbook guarantees procurement will create blind spots. Brian has seen those blind spots from both sides up close, first as a regional VP for a national uniform provider, now as an advisor helping clients defend their P&L against quiet leakage. He doesn't mince words: if your definition of "the data" is whatever appears on an invoice PDF, you are operating inside a commercial narrative written by your supplier. The episode walks through examples that sound almost unbelievable until you realize how common they are. Security "dark hours" where posts go unfilled but still get billed. Pest control programs charging for weekly service where there's been no activity in months. Uniform inventory definitions that vary between suppliers, creating a scenario where 17 cents can be far more expensive than 21 cents, depending on what number you're multiplying. None of that shows up cleanly on a summary invoice. Which brings us to AI… As procurement leans more heavily on AI for benchmarking and research, the technology can generate polished, authoritative answers, even when the underlying data is thin or incomplete. But, the quality of the output rises or falls with the quality of the inputs. For example, Brian shares a live demonstration his team conducted internally: a generalist asking AI for "a good price" in a complex service category gets laughable, contradictory answers. Garbage in, garbage out, so to speak. A more informed user does slightly better. When a true category expert feeds AI high-quality, relevant, structured data does the output become meaningfully useful, and even then, it still requires human judgment to separate signal from noise.  This episode also challenges another sacred cow in procurement: not all dollars are created equal. A $100 million utilities category might require minimal management. A $1 million uniform program might require 50 times the oversight. Yet procurement teams are often sized and measured purely by spend under management, not complexity, risk, or management intensity. If procurement is going to be measured by what actually hits the P&L (as the earlier BuyLaws argue) then they must design contracts, data rights, and reporting structures that allow real validation.  The future of procurement won't be won by those who have the most data. It will be won by those who know which data matters and, perhaps most importantly, why. Links: Rich Ham on LinkedIn Learn more at FineTuneUs.com

"You don't want to over-engineer orchestration. The goal is progress, not complexity." - Philip Ideson, Founder and Managing Director, Art of Procurement There has never been more tech available to procurement, but navigating the orchestration market is anything but simple.  In this episode, Philip Ideson and Kelly Barner unpack the findings from AOP's upcoming "State of Orchestration" report, which is based on conversations with CPOs, digital leaders, and orchestration providers. They share the big trends, the evolving definition of orchestration, and candid advice on what to ask and look for before you buy. Investment is surging, capabilities are converging, and the stakes for business impact keep rising. This episode is your fast-track to understanding where orchestration fits into your tech stack and operating model, and how to choose a solution that aligns with your priorities and risk appetite.  In this episode, Kelly and Philip cover: The five core categories for evaluating orchestration platforms The questions to ask about native workflow depth versus integrations How to avoid common pitfalls in change management and solution over-customization Real customer adoption trends and what they signal    Links: Philip Ideson on LinkedIn Kelly Barner on LinkedIn Subscribe to the AOP Newsletter Subscribe to Art of Procurement on YouTube  

In this episode of the ProcureTech Insider Provider of the Week, host Jyothi Hartley speaks with Imran Shaikh, Head of Pre-Sales and Business Development at Samsung SDS America, about how AI-powered design-to-source-to-pay orchestration is transforming procurement's role in product development. Samsung SDS Caidentia is an AI-powered platform designed to shift procurement upstream, connecting product design, sourcing, and supply decisions before spend occurs. Acting as an orchestration layer between PLM and ERP systems, the platform enables procurement teams to influence cost, risk, and supply resilience earlier in the product life cycle. Imran shares how Samsung SDS Caidentia has evolved from a sourcing solution into a cross-functional platform centered around Bill of Materials (BOM) intelligence. In this conversation, they explore how procurement can move beyond transactional execution to become a strategic contributor to product decisions, leveraging AI to simulate cost impacts, assess supplier risk, and improve cross-functional alignment. Links: Samsung SDS Caidentia Provider Profile Download the 2025-26 ProcureTech100 Yearbook Subscribe to This Week in Procurement Subscribe to Art of Procurement on YouTube

"The strategic rationale of selling is not really to make money. It's about preserving 200-plus jobs and making sure your colleagues have continuity in their lives." - Alessandro Comerci Strategic divestitures and factory closures have become more common as organizations reshape their portfolios and seek agility. For procurement, these aren't just commercial events: they affect livelihoods, brand trust, and supplier ecosystems. Navigating them well demands a broader set of skills, perspective, and empathy than most of us learn in our core work. In this episode, procurement veteran Alessandro Comerci draws on hard-earned experience negotiating large corporate divestments for Procter & Gamble. Alessandro reveals how job preservation, trust-rebuilding, and a nuanced understanding of local realities can drive better outcomes than straightforward cost calculations ever could.  If you've ever faced tough transitions or wondered how procurement leaders adapt to 'the other side' of the table, Alessandro's practical, candid insights will strike a chord. In this episode, Alessandro covers: How job preservation and trust-shaping drive strategic divestments How procurement skills translate to high-stakes selling Why supplier relationships outlast the deal and why that matters How divestments can spark unexpected supplier-led innovation Links: Alessandro Comerci on LinkedIn Subscribe to This Week in Procurement Subscribe to Art of Procurement on YouTube  

Procurement doesn't have a data problem. It has a data delusion. For 25 years, the function has told itself the same story: if we can just clean up our spend, we'll finally be in control. And yet here we are… swimming in the same dashboards, drowning in fields, and still struggling to answer a simple question: what do we spend? In this episode of Buy: The Way…To Purposeful Procurement, Jason Busch, founder of Spend Matters and now a self-described builder of AI "co-workers," returns to the podcast to pressure-test BuyLaw #5: "prioritize comprehensive, high-quality data." If procurement wants to operate in a world of AI employees, continuous validation, and P&L accountability, their data cannot remain partial, fragmented, or shaped by suppliers.  Jason draws a sharp distinction between the roles or entities that manage procurement data: copilots, agents, and what he calls digital co-workers (multi-agent infrastructures capable of executing complex work autonomously). But all that capability comes with a catch. When the marginal cost of activity drops toward zero, the absolute risk of bad data increases exponentially. Humans have the battle scars and the intuition to know when something isn't quite right with the data. AI doesn't, unless we explicitly teach it what 'right' looks like. That's where procurement's comfort with incomplete data becomes dangerous. For decades, the function has relied on narrow slices of information: negotiated price, historical spend, maybe a market index or two, but in an AI-enabled world, that's insufficient. Jason explains why context means everything – supplier financial health, commodity forecasts, tariffs, inventory signals, competitive pricing, risk data, contract performance signals, governance structures, and the cultural guardrails that determine how decisions are made. If procurement feeds incomplete, biased, or poorly governed data into increasingly autonomous systems, those systems won't just make mistakes faster; they'll actually end up institutionalizing them and making procurement's data problem unnecessarily worse. Jason's advice for procurement is pragmatic and urgent: set up a data governance committee tomorrow. Not to tidy historical spend, but to define what data matters, which sources are trustworthy, what tolerances exist for error, and at what point autonomous systems are allowed to act on that data. In a world of digital co-workers, incomplete data isn't a nuisance. It's a real, human liability. Links: Jason Busch on LinkedIn Rich Ham on LinkedIn Learn more at FineTuneUs.com  

"Procurement tools traditionally look at history. To make better decisions, we need to start looking forward." - Tomas Wiemer, Global Multi-Industry Procurement & Digitalization Executive Procurement teams are under pressure to contribute much more than just savings…  They're being asked to provide strategic intelligence, support faster decisions, and become true business partners. But as organizations look to digital platforms and unified data, many leaders find that legacy models and fragmented systems hold them back. In this episode, global procurement and digitization leader Tomas Wiemer joins Philip Ideson to discuss how procurement's role is changing and what leaders can do to keep up. Tomas shares lessons from building high-performing procurement teams across industries and continents, including why structured data and decisioning platforms are now essential for strategic influence. You'll hear what's working (and what's not) as procurement navigates the shift from transactional control to value-focused partnerships, and get practical ideas for where to start… even if your tech stack is limited or your organization is in the early stages of a transformation journey.  During their conversation, Tomas explains how to: Navigate the shift from transactional work to strategic sourcing focus Build the business case for investing in procurement technology and data Start with the right data and metrics, no matter your maturity level Use decisioning platforms to deepen business partnerships and speed action Links: Tomas Wiemer on LinkedIn Subscribe to This Week in Procurement Subscribe to Art of Procurement on YouTube

In this episode of the ProcureTech Insider Startup of the Week, host Jyothi Hartley speaks with Ricky Ho, Co-Founder and CEO of SourceReady, about how AI and big data are transforming global supplier discovery and sourcing strategy. SourceReady is building an AI-powered sourcing platform designed to automate the most time-consuming parts of the sourcing process – from supplier discovery to quote comparison and risk analysis. With access to 1.2 million suppliers across 100 countries, the platform helps procurement and sourcing teams uncover new suppliers, analyze risk, and streamline supplier communication. Ricky shares how his background in a family textile business and his experience building and selling a supply chain startup led him to create SourceReady. Together, they discuss the limitations of traditional supplier directories, the growing complexity of global sourcing, and how AI agents can help procurement teams focus on strategy rather than manual tasks. Links: SourceReady Provider Profile Download the 2025-26 ProcureTech100 Yearbook Subscribe to This Week in Procurement Subscribe to Art of Procurement on YouTube  

"The winners will be the people who make it happen themselves. The losers will be the ones that just bury their heads in the sand." - Andrew Daley, Managing Director, Digital Procurement and Supply Chain at Edbury Daley The AI revolution is transforming procurement faster than ever before. Whether you're upskilling your team or rethinking your operating model, the choices you make now will set the pace for your entire function tomorrow. In this episode, Andrew Daley, Managing Director of Digital Procurement and Supply Chain at Edbury Daley, returns to share what he's seeing on the front lines of talent acquisition and digital transformation.  He explains why intellectual curiosity is the most sought-after trait in the AI era, how leading CPOs are shifting their strategies, and what separates thriving professionals from those at risk of being left behind. His advice: don't just keep up… get ahead. Andrew's practical perspective and new research data will spark ideas for every procurement leader ready to make their mark. In this episode, Andrew covers: How to identify the mindset that sets top procurement talent apart in an AI-driven world What leading organizations are (and aren't) doing to upskill their teams How AI-driven change will impact future operating models New survey data on AI adoption and readiness in procurement Actionable advice for building an AI-capable team Links: Andrew Daley on LinkedIn Building a 'Dream Scenario' of Procurement Excellence Subscribe to This Week in Procurement Subscribe to Art of Procurement on YouTube  

Procurement's incentive problem doesn't stop at the contract. It gets worse after signature. In this Phil-Ins episode of "Buy: The Way…To Purposeful Procurement," Rich Ham and Philip Ideson are joined by Kelly Barner to unpack three "Buy Laws" at once, mainly because they're inseparable in practice. First: count only what hits the ledger. If the value doesn't show up in actuals, it doesn't count. That means moving procurement out of the projection business and into the results business… where the CFO lives. Second: stop counting only the good. The status quo lets category managers rack up credit for isolated wins while bad outcomes quietly pile up elsewhere. Procurement can't become more credible (or more strategic) if the scoreboard only records highlights. Third: fund a validation function. If you're going to demand that outcomes be real, you have to resource the work that proves it. Validation isn't optional. It's the bridge between negotiation and execution, the place where contract adherence, leakage, "technically compliant but avoidable" spend, and invoice-level reality either confirm the deal… or expose the fiction. Along the way, the conversation also confronts the uncomfortable tension at the heart of all three Buy Laws: procurement can't control everything that drives financial outcomes. But that can't be an excuse to keep rewarding imagined savings. The answer is a healthier system altogether, which should include clear carve-outs, smarter attribution, and a consistent discipline of asking the simplest kinds of questions procurement too often avoids: "this was supposed to be 12… so why is it 15?" If procurement wants to claim value, they have to stay involved long enough to validate it, and build a measurement system strong enough to survive contact with reality. Links: Rich Ham on LinkedIn Learn more at FineTuneUs.com  

"We compete with people's homes more than we do with other coworking locations because my job is to get people to want to come into my spaces, and that is what I focus on every single day." - Sarah Travers, CEO, Workbar The future of work is unfolding quickly, and procurement leaders who also own real estate decisions can't afford to ignore trends in co-working. Whether you need to unlock flexibility, attract top talent, or better control costs, new workplace models are rapidly replacing traditional long-term leases. In this episode, host Philip Ideson speaks with Sarah Travers, CEO of Workbar, a Boston-based coworking company that has built a flexible, community-focused model for organizations of all sizes. With more than two decades of experience shaping the category, Sarah shares the real reasons organizations pivot from headquarters to hub-and-spoke, how team-share memberships de-risk real estate, and what procurement teams should really look for beyond price per square foot. In this episode, Sarah discusses how to: Evaluate new coworking models to flex with your organization's needs Avoid long-term liabilities by shifting to on-demand and shareable passes Select the right mix of local and global providers to reduce risk Build workplace experiences that go beyond convenience to real engagement Links: Sarah Travers on LinkedIn Subscribe to This Week in Procurement Subscribe to Art of Procurement on YouTube  

"Sometimes you just need to recognize that getting from the baseline, whatever your baseline, to the next step… that's really significant." - Jyothi Hartley, Director of Digital Enablement, AOP Art of Procurement is proud to launch a brand-new podcast series: the ProcureTech Insider. The procurement technology market is evolving faster than ever, promising exponential transformation. But what actually works in the real world? ProcureTech Insider exists to take procurement leaders and decision makers beyond the hype. In this new series, we will bring you real-world intelligence from practitioners implementing technology, solution providers building next-generation capabilities, and experts and leaders evaluating what delivers impact in practice. In this first episode, Art of Procurement Founder and Managing Director Philip Ideson welcomes Jyothi Harley, AOP's Director of Digital Enablement, to discuss the vision behind the show and to explore what digital transformation can look like inside visionary procurement teams. With more than 25 years of experience across practitioner, transformation, and advisory roles, Jyothi shares why there is no one-size-fits-all blueprint for procurement technology success. Instead of chasing "big bang" transformation, she explains why incremental progress grounded in culture, timing, and organizational readiness often delivers the most sustainable impact. If you're navigating AI buzz, (re)evaluating your tech stack, or feeling pressure to transform faster than your team may be able to absorb, this conversation – and all of those that will follow it – will help you identify your best next step. In this episode, you'll learn: Why there's no universal playbook for digital procurement transformation How to assess your true starting point before investing in new technology Why incremental progress can be more powerful than sweeping change The role culture, adoption, and timing play in successful implementation How AOP's digital enablement practice bridges strategy and execution This episode also marks Art of Procurement's expanded coverage of the rapidly changing procuretech landscape through regular podcast episodes and the ProcureTech100. Links: Download the 2025-26 ProcureTech100 Yearbook Subscribe to This Week in Procurement Subscribe to Art of Procurement on YouTube  

"The procurement and supply chain professions are ever more relevant to the prosperity of nations and to businesses as we go into the future." - Ben Farrell, Global Chief Executive Officer, The Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) Striking a balance between tradition and disruption is at the top of the agenda for today's procurement leaders. Whether it's shifting global dynamics, technology, or the push for greater influence, the function's boundaries (and its reputation) are up for grabs. Ben Farrell brings a perspective forged in the British Army, major retail, and boardrooms worldwide. Now, as Global CEO of The Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS), he is focused on driving procurement's global profile and advancing the profession for a new generation.  In this episode, Ben shares hard-won leadership lessons and makes his case for a more visible, empowered procurement function. This is a candid conversation about risk, advocacy, and the urgent need to rebrand procurement for the value-driven world. In this episode, Ben covers: Reframing leadership from constraint to empowerment Navigating risk while still pursuing big opportunities Raising the profile of procurement inside and outside of an organization Embracing new technology as a catalyst, not a threat Why CIPS – and procurement itself – may need a new name Links: Ben Farrell on LinkedIn Subscribe to This Week in Procurement Subscribe to Art of Procurement on YouTube

Procurement's biggest measurement problem isn't that "savings" is incomplete. It's that "savings" has become a substitute for truth. In the first Buy: The Way…To Purposeful Procurement episode of 2026, co-hosts Philip Ideson and Rich Ham unveil the first of the show's new procurement "Buy-laws." It's the one that almost every serious practitioner agrees with, but very few organizations are ready to operationalize: replace savings with defined value. That doesn't mean adding a few extra KPIs in addition to savings. It means removing the word entirely and replacing it with a primary metric that includes verified spend reduction and revenue generation, plus company-specific priorities like emissions reduction, process improvement, resilience, risk reduction, and anything else the business actually cares about.  To help map what this kind of "value" can and should include, Phil and Rich are joined by Omer Abdullah, co-founder of The Smart Cube and co-author of Risk and Your Supply Chain: Preparing for the Next Global Crisis. Omer has spent decades close to the function, advising teams, building intelligence services around procurement decisions, and now working at the intersection of startups, go-to-market strategy, and what he calls a "post-AI" future for procurement. The idea of "post-AI" matters more than it sounds. Omer isn't talking about a world where AI fades away. He's talking about the moment when AI becomes a hygiene factor – embedded, expected, and no longer a differentiator. The result is uncomfortable: once AI takes the transactional load, procurement doesn't automatically become "more strategic." Not unless leaders define what that actually means, what outcomes it should produce, and how to measure those outcomes without defaulting back to the simplest (and most misleading) number on the page. The conversation also goes straight at one of procurement's most corrosive incentives: short-termism. The function keeps making long-term sacrifices for short-term wins because the system asks it to. Rich calls it a "scourge," and Omer lays out what a healthier alternative could look like. He recommends a scorecard that includes in-year expectations, multi-year outcomes that reflect how value compounds over time, and a controlled level of discretionary evaluation to capture the contributions that matter but refuse to sit neatly inside a spreadsheet cell.  Underneath all of this is a truth that the episode doesn't dodge: none of it works without executive support. The CFO and CEO have to buy into procurement's expanded definition of value. Procurement can't wait to be understood; they have to be sold. Procurement is a business within a business, and the C-suite is its most important customer. If leaders don't see the function's potential, it's on procurement to advocate, educate, and prove (through better definitions and better scorekeeping) that the status quo isn't merely outdated. It's actively harmful. Links: Omer Abdullah on LinkedIn Rich Ham on LinkedIn Learn more at FineTuneUs.com  

"Procurement is what you make of it. It can be a bargain basement function at some firms, but it's also becoming more strategic. We have to take a more holistic, integrated view of things and try to understand the big business problems we can help solve and then offer a business solution, not just a procurement solution." – Amit Saronwala, VP, Global Indirect Supply Management, Medtronic Procurement leaders in healthcare are feeling the heat: innovation cycles are tightening, supplier bases are vast, and new pressures on cost and cash flow are here to stay. So how do you build more agile, high-performing procurement teams without adding complexity or burning out your people? In this episode, Philip Ideson speaks with Amit Saronwala, VP of Global Indirect Supply Management at Medtronic, and Jeremy Lappin, CEO of Candex. Amit draws from his clinical experience and deep commercial expertise to share how Medtronic is recasting procurement's role by focusing on smarter supplier segmentation, business-centric metrics, and technology that makes friction disappear. Jeremy adds perspective from supporting global procurement teams at scale, revealing where automation and analytics can create breathing room for strategic work. This conversation takes a candid look at how one of healthcare's biggest names is making indirect procurement a critical lever for business value and what it takes to bring suppliers and stakeholders on the journey. In this episode, Amit and Jeremy discuss how procurement can: Set a clear line for strategic vs. transactional suppliers… and stick to it Speak "business" (not just "procurement") to increase influence with stakeholders Automate low-risk, high-volume purchases to free up valuable talent Choose tools that require little or no change management for smoother adoption Redefine procurement's core skillset for the next five years Links: Amit Saronwala on LinkedIn Jeremy Lappin on LinkedIn Subscribe to This Week in Procurement Subscribe to Art of Procurement on YouTube  

"Now with agentic AI, RFPs are becoming and will become even leaner, and they'll cut to the chase a whole lot faster. There'll be a lot less fluff." - Barri Horn, Director of Product Marketing for AI for SAP Ariba and SAP Fieldglass' strategic procurement portfolios AI is reshaping the RFP process, but smart procurement leaders know they have to think beyond speed or efficiency drivers and, instead, reimagine the value they deliver. As teams turn to AI to break free from past challenges, the question isn't if change is coming, but how to capture its advantages while managing risk, trust, and adoption. In this episode, Philip Ideson speaks with Barri Horn, Director of Product Marketing for AI for SAP Ariba and SAP Fieldglass' strategic procurement portfolios, to dig into what's truly changing in the world of RFPs, why agentic AI is different from yesterday's tools, and how procurement can use new technology without losing stakeholder trust.  Expect practical, leader-level guidance for running better RFPs and rolling out AI that sticks. Barri discusses workflows, pitfalls, and organizational mindsets that separate successful AI adoption from failed pilots: How to streamline repetitive RFP tasks with AI so teams can focus on insight Asking smarter, market-driven questions without overwhelming suppliers Aligning AI "autonomy" with procurement's risk comfort level Building trust and credibility through transparency and foundational training Resetting and rebooting change programs to support adoption Links: Barri Horn on LinkedIn Subscribe to This Week in Procurement Subscribe to Art of Procurement on YouTube  

"There is a limit on how much you can save, but there is no limit on how much you can make." - Sergio Martin Procurement is evolving fast. The true differentiator now is how the function can become a partner for growth and resilience. That means reimagining "customer experience" at every touchpoint, not just inside the business, but with suppliers as well. In this episode, procurement advisor and former procurement and supply chain executive Sergio Martin explains what it takes to deliver that value. Sergio shares practical stories from his experience at companies like Burberry and Dyson, explores what it means to move beyond "cost control," and reveals why empathy, expertise, and credibility are non-negotiable. In this episode, Sergio discusses: Defining the idea of a "customer" for stakeholders and suppliers Shifting procurement's mindset from savings to growth Building credibility through continuous expertise Becoming the customer of choice for innovation and resilience Links: Sergio Martin on LinkedIn Subscribe to This Week in Procurement Subscribe to Art of Procurement on YouTube  

"Persuasion is about your intent. If your intent is solely to win at the other person's expense, that's manipulation. If you want the other party to also benefit from the conversation, then that's collaborative, and that's ethical persuasion." - Martin John Procurement leaders know that success often depends on more than just negotiating skills or cost models; it demands the ability to influence people at every level.  But what does it take to move from presenting facts to truly persuading suppliers, stakeholders, and executives to take action? This is a question that's more urgent than ever in today's complex business environment. In this episode of Art of Procurement, Philip Ideson speaks with Martin John, a seasoned procurement pro and licensed ethical persuasion trainer. Martin shares tools and science-backed frameworks that chief procurement officers and their teams can use right away. He pulls back the curtain on Cialdini's principles, real-world negotiation stories, and how to avoid crossing the line into manipulation. In this episode, Martin discusses how to: Recognize the thin line between ethical persuasion and manipulation Build trust and rapport faster using evidence, not guesswork Move beyond data to engage the emotions and subconscious drivers of decision-makers Translate behavioral science into everyday procurement Links: Martin John on LinkedIn Subscribe to This Week in Procurement Subscribe to Art of Procurement on YouTube  

"Direct materials is the most under-innovated, untouched by modern technology of any spend area." - Spencer Penn, Co-Founder and CEO, LightSource Direct spend makes up the lion's share of the procurement budget, but all too often, it's still managed in spreadsheets and disconnected tools. Today's volatile supply market and relentless cost pressures demand more.  What is holding companies back from real transformation in direct procurement, and where do the smartest teams focus their innovation efforts? In this AOP podcast episode, host Philip Ideson speaks with Spencer Penn, co-founder and CEO of LightSource. Drawing from his hands-on experience at Tesla and Waymo, Spencer explains why direct procurement's digital journey has lagged behind indirect, and what it takes to move from manual, reactive "firefighting" to scalable, collaborative value creation.  If you're wondering how to unite engineering, procurement, and finance to drive structural cost reduction, or how to leverage tech for more than basic automation, this episode is a must-listen. In this episode, Spencer talks about how to: Make sense of why most direct procurement processes are still manual Learn how collaboration between procurement, engineering, and suppliers drives lasting savings See where legacy thinking and incentives stall change (and how to overcome it) Discover what tech can enable and when people are essential Find out why small sourcing decisions at scale become huge bottom-line wins Links: Spencer Penn on LinkedIn Subscribe to This Week in Procurement Subscribe to Art of Procurement on YouTube  

"AI has fantastic value when you look at spend analytics, sourcing decisions, and process efficiency, but to replace the infancy stage that allows you to have a relationship with stakeholders, I think, is a mistake." – Brad Keighley Digitization and automation promise so much for procurement, but what gets lost if we let technology run the show? As organizations scale and regulatory pressure mounts, the ability to connect on a human level can become a procurement superpower. Ignore it, and procurement risks becoming just another system, not a strategic partner. As a multiple-time CPO and procurement transformation leader, Brad Keighley has built teams for startups, pre-IPO rocket ships, and tech giants. In this episode, he shares how to structure procurement for growth while staying close to stakeholders, explains why focusing only on savings is a mistake, and offers practical approaches to scaling service without losing the personal touch. In this conversation, Brad discusses how to: Diagnose and fix legacy issues to win skeptical stakeholders Sell the true value of procurement by leading with risk management and compliance Build a "white glove" centralized service model for maximum spend capture and influence Layer automation and analytics where it matters, without sacrificing partnership Use stakeholder feedback to drive continuous improvement and protect procurement's reputation Links: Brad Keighley on LinkedIn Subscribe to This Week in Procurement Subscribe to Art of Procurement on YouTube  

"Efficiency should fund the future, not erase the people needed to deliver it." – Philip Ideson, Founder and Managing Director of Art of Procurement 2026 is going to be another year of volatility, but it will also be a year of immense opportunity for procurement pragmatists, the ones who are willing to do the work to build the future rather than just waiting for it to arrive. In a tradition that dates back to 2018, Art of Procurement rings in the new year with Founder and Managing Director Philip Ideson's Annual Message. Each year's perspectives are shaped by hundreds of conversations with procurement leaders, providers, subject matter experts, and people both inside and outside the world of procurement. This year, Philip reflects on changes being felt across the professional community and also shares his vision for the next evolution of Art of Procurement.  In this episode, Philip elaborates on: Which path to take in an exciting, but also overwhelming, digital procurement landscape How procurement operating models need to adjust to take not just AI into account, but also the pure intent of the function The 'elephant in the room' - which is not AI, but the readiness and culture that have to be prepared to receive and leverage the new opportunities it creates Links: Art of Procurement Annual Letters Philip Ideson on LinkedIn Subscribe to This Week in Procurement Subscribe to Art of Procurement on YouTube

"The first time that you speak with a supplier shouldn't be in a time of crisis. Our best customers work with us regularly, and we're constantly hearing from them." - Rick Bond, Chief Revenue Officer, Safeware When a crisis hits, procurement must move at lightning speed… but without cutting corners.  How do public agencies build systems that are nimble, compliant, and ready for anything? The answer to that question lies in proactive preparation, robust cooperative agreements, and the partnerships that power an effective emergency response. In this episode, Philip Ideson speaks with Tammy Rimes, Executive Director of National Cooperative Procurement Partners, and Rick Bond, Safeware's Chief Revenue Officer. Together, they share what really happens behind the scenes when disaster strikes, and how contract strategies and supplier relationships can turn from routine to lifesaving overnight. They also examine hard lessons learned from the pandemic, the critical role of due diligence, and why warehousing strategies are making a comeback. From practical war stories to high-level frameworks, this episode is a playbook for anyone navigating risk and rapid response. In this episode, Tammy and Rick discuss how to: Create ready-to-launch emergency contracts before you need them Run fast but thorough due diligence, even with "easy" agreements Build supplier relationships that go beyond the transaction Balance just-in-time strategies with smart warehousing investments Hold both parties accountable for resilience, not just price Links: Executive Briefing: Cooperative Procurement as a Tool for Emergency Preparedness Tammy Rimes on LinkedIn Rick Bond on LinkedIn Subscribe to This Week in Procurement Subscribe to Art of Procurement on YouTube

After 23 episodes of dissecting procurement's incentive flaws, behavioral blind spots, and structural contradictions, the "Buy: The Way…To Purposeful Procurement" podcast team closes season one with something different: reflection, humor, a little chaos, and a first look at what comes next. In this episode, Rich Ham seizes the mic for a surprise "hostile takeover," pulling Philip Ideson and Kelly Barner into a rapid-fire look back at the most memorable moments of the season. What follows is part game show, part roast, and part highlight reel. In short, the perfect way to close a project built on saying the quiet parts out loud. Rich counts down his "top seven" insights from guests like Martin Chilcott, Thomas Udesen, Kate Vitasek, and Omid Ghamami, and the topics they discussed, from decarbonization realities to incentive design failures, from short-termism to purpose-driven procurement.  The list captures what this season repeatedly revealed: procurement isn't held back by a lack of talent or ambition, but by systems and incentives that don't reflect the impact leaders know they can deliver. This episode isn't just a retrospective. It also marks the transition from discovery to design.  After months of interviews, research, and internal debate, the team announces what's next: The Buylaws – a set of guiding principles for a healthier, more purposeful procurement incentive system. Early 2026 will bring a new mini-series dedicated to unpacking each one of these recommendations. As we've learned, procurement's potential is enormous, but potential becomes purpose only when incentives, behavior, and business outcomes finally align. Links: Rich Ham on LinkedInLearn more at FineTuneUs.com

"If you don't go on the journey, you risk being left behind. The key is to try, learn, and apply AI in a way that creates real value." - Fang Chang, EVP and Chief Product Officer at SAP AI isn't just another feature on your tech checklist. It's changing the way procurement teams deliver impact… but only for those bold enough to rethink from the ground up.  In this podcast episode, host Philip Ideson speaks with Fang Chang, EVP and Chief Product Officer at SAP, who shares what it looks like to rebuild an established platform like Ariba on a true AI foundation. Fang's team didn't just layer new tech onto old workflows; they tore everything down and rebuilt with AI at the core.  If you've ever asked whether your team should wait for the "next" wave of AI innovation or start learning by doing, this conversation is a must-listen. Fang walks through technical choices, balancing agility with reliability, and what an AI-powered procurement experience now enables for the business. In this episode, Fang discusses: Why simply layering AI onto legacy tools leaves value on the table How to decide where AI creates business outcomes… and where it doesn't What real agility looks like in a fast-evolving AI landscape How contextual "insights to action" bring value at every step The new balance of human oversight with AI-driven workflows Links: Fang Chang on LinkedIn Subscribe to This Week in Procurement Subscribe to Art of Procurement on YouTube  

After nearly a year of exploring procurement's incentive paradox from every angle, Philip Ideson, Rich Ham, and Kelly Barner reconvene to connect the dots between three of the series' most thought-provoking guests: Jason Brown, David Loseby, and Omid Ghamami. Each offered a distinct lens on the same fundamental question: What does performance really mean in procurement today? Jason Brown framed incentives as an operating system: a structure that shapes behavior and defines what purpose looks like in practice. David Loseby reminded us that real change starts with understanding people, not just systems. And Omid Ghamami challenged procurement to stop claiming victory at contract signature and start measuring success by real-world outcomes actually achieved. As the co-hosts unpack these different takes on procurement performance, they uncover a unifying truth: procurement's metrics may have been right for their time, but the time has changed. Savings-driven scorecards and transactional incentives no longer fit a function expected to deliver innovation, resilience, and strategic value. The discussion also looks ahead to what comes next as the co-hosts think about how AI reshapes the function, causing headcounts to shrink and expectations to rise. Can procurement redefine its purpose before automation defines it for them? The answer, they argue, lies in alignment: between incentives and impact, between humans and technology, and between what we buy and what we're genuinely trying to achieve. Links: Rich Ham on LinkedInLearn more at FineTuneUs.com

"Your contracts are your source of truth. You should have a tool that can go through the contracts and help you understand the impact and make an assessment, all in one place." -Toby Laforest, Senior Director PMM - Market Insights and Solutions at Ironclad  Procurement leaders can no longer afford to wait for requests to land in their inbox. Facing regulatory change, market volatility, and growing demand for business partnership, some organizations are reimagining their procurement operating models and putting technology and process both front and center.  In this Art of Procurement podcast episode, Clare Cassano, Head of Procurement Strategy & Execution at Invesco, and Toby LaForest from Ironclad, share how Invesco tackled the shift from reactive service to proactive business enablement. They discuss the tough choices behind their technology stack, the reality of orchestration layers, and why "best fit" often wins over "best-in-class" for their unique needs. Listen in for practical lessons on realigning talent, building true contract intelligence, and future-proofing your procurement process with an eye toward AI and automation.  In this episode, Clare and Toby discuss: How AI-enabled contract management can deliver real-time contract insights, not just document storage Honest advice about choosing best fit tech over one-size-fits-all suites Future opportunities (and things to watch out for) related to agentic AI in procurement Links: Toby Laforest on LinkedIn Clare Cassano on LinkedIn From Reactive to Strategic: Transforming Procurement Through Contract Intelligence Contracting for Speed: How Orchestration Empowers Procurement Subscribe to This Week in Procurement Subscribe to Art of Procurement on YouTube