The CPO Perspective

Discover how AI is reshaping procurement, leadership, and the future of work in this insightful episode of the CPO Perspective.In this episode, Richard Beaumont sits down with Stephen Day from Kantar to explore the evolution of procurement, the impact of AI and agentic technology, and what it takes to succeed as a modern procurement leader.Stephen shares his journey from Rolls-Royce Aerospace to leading procurement at Kantar, offering real-world lessons on career growth, resilience, and adapting to change across industries including telecoms, publishing, and market intelligence.They also dive deep into:How AI and agentic systems are transforming procurement processesWhy data ownership is critical for procurement successThe future of procurement jobs and skills in an AI-driven worldThe importance of curiosity, learning, and adaptabilityLeadership lessons from decades of global experienceIf you're in procurement, supply chain, or business leadership, this conversation gives you practical insights into navigating change and staying ahead in a rapidly evolving landscape.🔔 Subscribe for more conversations with global procurement leaders.#Procurement #AI #SupplyChain #Leadership #DigitalTransformation #CPO #BusinessStrategy #FutureOfWork

What does it take to build a high-performing procurement function in a complex global business?In this episode of the CPO Perspective, Richard Beaumont sits down with Michael Norris, Head of Procurement at TMS (part of DS Smith), to explore procurement leadership, career growth, and the evolving role of technology in procurement.With nearly three decades of experience, Michael shares his journey from the print and packaging industry to leading procurement transformation across 100+ markets. He discusses how strong foundations in process, commercial alignment, and risk management are critical to building a successful procurement function.In this conversation, you’ll learn:Why networking is the most powerful tool for career growthHow to build and scale a procurement function from the ground upThe importance of stakeholder management and communicationHow to simplify complex procurement strategies for business impactThe real role of AI in procurement and why caution mattersHow to balance process, data, and technology for long-term successThis episode is packed with practical insights for procurement professionals, supply chain leaders, and anyone looking to grow their career in a fast-changing business environment.🔔 Subscribe for more expert conversations with global procurement leaders.#Procurement #SupplyChain #Leadership #AI #BusinessStrategy #CPO #CareerGrowth #DigitalTransformation

Why Procurement Needs to Stop Managing Spend and Start Shaping DecisionsIn this first episode of CPO Perspective, host Richard Beaumont sits down with Rajbinder Kaur, a senior procurement leader operating across a multi-site further education organisation in the public sector. Rajbinder brings a fascinating cross-disciplinary background — spanning law, finance, and procurement — and uses it to challenge the way most organisations think about the function. The conversation opens with a sharp observation that cuts to the heart of the profession: most organisations don't have a procurement problem, they have a decision problem.Rajbinder unpacks what she calls procurement as decision architecture — the idea that real value isn't unlocked at the point of purchase, but upstream, when procurement gets involved early enough to shape demand and influence outcomes before leverage is lost. From navigating stakeholder misalignment across decentralised organisations to AI's role in public procurement, the UK's new Procurement Act, and what it really takes to build a resilient team, this is a candid and thought-provoking opening episode for anyone working in or around the profession.Key takeaways:Most organisations don't have a procurement problem — they have a decision problem rooted in misaligned incentives, poor timing, and fragmented informationProcurement's biggest missed opportunity is being brought in too late, after decisions are made and leverage is already goneThe shift needs to be upstream — shaping demand and influencing outcomes before spend is locked inComplexity in multi-site organisations is an asset when structured correctly; decentralised insight only becomes inefficiency without coordinationStakeholder engagement is about alignment, not just communication — bridging finance (cost), operations (speed), and leadership (risk) into a shared decision frameworkAI works well in purchase-to-pay and tender drafting, but human judgement remains essential for evaluationThe UK Public Procurement Act is opening doors for SMEs but is still bedding in across organisationsThe strongest procurement leaders focus less on process and more on understanding how organisations think and where real influence sitsConnect with Rajbinder Kaur on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajbikaurIf this episode resonated with you, subscribe to CPO Perspective for more honest conversations with procurement leaders navigating complexity, change, and the evolving role of the profession.I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly.– Richard and The CPO Perspective podcast teamConnect with Richard Beaumont on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/richardbeaumontVisit the Beaumont Procurement website here: https://beaumontprocurement.com#thecpoperspective #richardbeaumont #procurementleadership #cpo #procurementjudgement #decisionmaking #strategicprocurement #procurementtransformation #chiefprocurementofficer #supplychainleadership #procurementstrategy #aiinprocurement #procurementprofessionals #businessleadership #influenceatwork Procurement has never had better tools, data, or analysis — yet when decisions are challenged, the hardest part is rarely technical. The CPO Perspective explores what actually separates high-performing procurement teams from the rest: judgement, influence, and the ability to make decisions that hold up under real scrutiny.Hosted by Richard Beaumont — former Army Officer, McKinsey consultant, and Chief Procurement Officer — this podcast is for procurement professionals who want to move beyond operational efficiency and build the kind of credibility, leadership, and ownership that earns genuine board-level trust.