Love Procurement: The Podcast
Welcome to the #loveprocurement podcast, where we bring you a fresh and lighthearted take on all things procurement. Join us as we dive into the fascinating world of Procurement with a twist of humor and a sprinkle of fun. We'll explore a different topic in each episode, inviting industry experts and special guests to share their insights, experiences, and stories. Whether you're a seasoned procurement professional or just curious about the field, this podcast is for you. Get ready to laugh, learn, and deepen your appreciation for procurement!
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Ep 22: Experimenting with AI feat. Joel Andersson (Ikea)
12/16/2025
Ep 22: Experimenting with AI feat. Joel Andersson (Ikea)
Change is a given in life and in business. The nature and scope of each type of change, as well as how the people affected by it respond, determines whether it is an obstacle to growth or an opportunity. The most obvious example of this playing out today is the embrace (or avoidance) of AI. Some people are diving in head first while others wait to be forced, and the early ROI is starting to create an advantage to those open to new possibilities. In this episode of the #LoveProcurement podcast host Vishal Patel welcomes Joel Andersson to the show. Joel is the Process development and digitalization project leader for indirect procurement at IKEA. He has built his career at the company, first dedicated to direct spend management and then transitioning to focus on indirect spend, specifically professional services, digitization, and process development. During the conversation, Joel and Vishal discuss: The differences he has experienced between direct and indirect spend management How advancements in digitization have affected demand and fulfillment in corporate professional services Ways that digital advancement is helping procurement achieve their ambitions - and set new objectives
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Ep 21: Transformation at Konica Minolta ft Luca Sopranzetti
12/09/2025
Ep 21: Transformation at Konica Minolta ft Luca Sopranzetti
All procurement journeys have to start somewhere, but the approach taken can lead each one in a different direction. While legacy companies often have plenty of resources, they also have well-worn ways of doing things that can be hard to change - unless, of course, the team leading the transformation has a clear vision for the future and takes an open mind on how to reach it. In this episode of the #LoveProcurement podcast, host Vishal Patel welcomes Luca Sopranzetti to the show. Luca is the Director of Sourcing and Procurement for Konica Minolta Business Solutions, an organization working to help others streamline workflows, safeguard data, and drive productivity, something his background in software automation and industrial engineering means he is well suited for. During the conversation, Luca and Vishal talk about: Where Konica Minolta started their transformation journey and where it stands today Why it is important to recognize and take into consideration the nuances that exist in every company His team’s decision to emphasize the supplier experience and ease of use when evaluating procurement technology
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Ep 20: Keeping the “Bad AI” Out feat. Dr. Cari Miller
11/25/2025
Ep 20: Keeping the “Bad AI” Out feat. Dr. Cari Miller
In most organizations, no one person knows everything there is to know about AI. That means everything related to its selection, implementation, use, and impact has to be managed in a team setting. This creates an opportunity for procurement to keep the business focused on their core objectives, and to properly and thoroughly evaluate every new piece of technology. In this episode of the #LoveProcurement podcast host Vishal Patel welcomes Dr. Cari Miller to the show. Dr. Miller is the Executive Director of the AI Procurement Lab, an organization with a mission to create, share, and promote best-in-class AI procurement practices, frameworks, guides, and tools. During the conversation, Dr. Miller and Vishal talk about: How to tell the difference between “bad AI” and “responsible AI” How AI plays into overall digital transformation projects, and therefore the relationship between procurement and IT Forward looking trends she is seeing related to public v. private sector procurement and the cost of audits Links:
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Ep 19: Ivalua NOW 2026: Shaping New Horizons feat. Alex Saric
11/11/2025
Ep 19: Ivalua NOW 2026: Shaping New Horizons feat. Alex Saric
For an in-person event to be a powerful gathering, the content and structure must reflect and support the needs of the attendee community. For procurement, this means actionable advice, connecting locally and globally, and keeping up with all of the changes they will have to face once the event is over. In this episode of the #LoveProcurement podcast, host Kelly Barner welcomes Alex Saric to the show. Alex is Ivalua’s Chief Marketing Officer, which means he has the inside line on the upcoming Ivalua NOW in-person events. Alex shares how procurement’s ever-evolving role is driving the plans for Ivalua NOW: The advantage of meeting globally as well as having more targeted, localized events Why the company is actively bringing more CIOs to Ivalua NOW, and how that will influence topics and discussions Where this year’s events will be taking place
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Ep 18: 2026 and Beyond: The Future of Procurement feat. Ari Stone
10/28/2025
Ep 18: 2026 and Beyond: The Future of Procurement feat. Ari Stone
Q4 is always an interesting time of year - like standing between two worlds. On the one hand, everyone is pressing forward, trying to hit or exceed current year targets. On the other hand, it is very hard not to let your imagination wander ahead to the brand new year getting closer by the day. In this episode of the #LoveProcurement podcast host Vishal Patel welcomes Ari Stone, Ivalua’s Global SVP of Value Engineering, Solution Consulting & Services, back to the show to identify and describe what he sees as the biggest trends in procurement this year before looking forward to 2026. Ari and Vishal share their perspectives on: The developing concept of ‘digital employees’ that is rising out of the AI and automation trend, and what it means for human talent Business expectations for the increased autonomy of processes and systems The pervasive problem of data quality, and how it continues to be the lynchpin of agentic AI ROI Continuing ups and downs of global trade and geopolitics
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Ep 17: Scaling Success: Lessons from Central & Northern Europe’s Procurement feat. Jan-Hendrik Sohn
10/14/2025
Ep 17: Scaling Success: Lessons from Central & Northern Europe’s Procurement feat. Jan-Hendrik Sohn
If you are not prepared to deal with the unexpected and continually challenge yourself, then maybe procurement is not the right place for you to work. But… if you thrive on opportunity and adventure, there is no better part of the business to work in. In this episode of the #LoveProcurement podcast host Kelly Barner welcomes Jan-Hendrik Sohn to the show. Jan-Hendrik is Ivalua’s Vice President of Sales for Central and Northern Europe. Jan-Hendrik joins the show to share unique trends, successes, and challenges from his part of the world: How he went about building and then scaling Ivalua’s team and brand in Central and Northern Europe What drives procurement decision makers to move away from legacy platforms What sets leaders apart from the pack and how their leadership changes what they need from digital solutions
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Ep 16: Modernizing & Scaling Aerospace & Defense Procurement feat. Kevin Framer (Accenture)
09/30/2025
Ep 16: Modernizing & Scaling Aerospace & Defense Procurement feat. Kevin Framer (Accenture)
There has been no shortage of news headlines related to aerospace and defense in recent years, whether that is world events driving demand or news coming out of manufacturers themselves. This industry is used to dealing with risk, but it seems like the stakes - and procurement’s role in finding a way forward - have never been higher. In this episode of the #LoveProcurement podcast host Paul Zammit welcomes Kevin to the show. Kevin is a Business Architect Manager at Accenture, where he is focused on supply management in the aerospace and defense industry. Kevin and Paul talk about how current trends in aerospace and defense has affected the procurement teams at those manufacturers: How companies are solving the need for transparency in supply chains that could be as many as 10 tiers deep Strategies for managing the supplier base, both to secure what the company needs and to accelerate the acquisition process The incentives to streamline regulatory compliance without increasing supply chain risk Procurement’s role in supporting sales activity and revenue growth
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Ep 15: Italy’s Next Digital Procurement Wave feat. Andrea Cozzi
09/16/2025
Ep 15: Italy’s Next Digital Procurement Wave feat. Andrea Cozzi
Italy is currently going through a time of accelerated change as companies embrace a second wave of procurement digitization. Now that the basics are in place, a large number of mid-market companies are building on their accomplishments by leaning into source to pay, supplier visibility, sustainability, and data capture. In this episode of the #LoveProcurement podcast, host Kelly Barner welcomes Andrea Cozzi to the show. Andrea is Ivalua’s Country Sales Manager for Italy, and he joins the show to share the unique trends, successes, and challenges, from his part of the world. Andrea speaks about the trends he is seeing play out in Italian procurement teams today: The current state of the Italian procurement technology market, and what a rejection of the status quo suggests about procurement’s priorities How stakeholders, suppliers, and even procurement skillsets have to be considered in the effort to drive digital transformation His insights on the priorities of procurement at some of the world’s most famous luxury fashion brands, including supply chain risk and sustainability
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Ep 14: AI, Talent & Trust in Procurement with Laura Smith
09/02/2025
Ep 14: AI, Talent & Trust in Procurement with Laura Smith
Although many professionals have the opportunity to work with global colleagues, striking the right balance between international business management and local or regional culture and connections takes some additional effort. Fortunately, that is easily achievable when procurement and sales teams recognize what they have in common and what they can learn from each other. In this episode of the #LoveProcurement podcast, host Kelly Barner welcomes Laura Smith back to the show. Laura is Ivalua’s Vice President of Sales for North America where she has the opportunity to be part of the international business world and also to study the unique trends, successes, and challenges facing procurement in North America. Laura shares her observations from years spent working with and listening to procurement organizations: How the current economy is impacting companies and the priorities they set for their procurement teams Interesting trends, like the embrace of AI, that are impacting procurement technology decisions as well as talent and operating model considerations What it is like to work as a sales professional in a procurement company, including the characteristics of healthy procurement/sales relationships, what to do when friction occurs, and why procurement should make every effort to build a relationship with their own company’s sales team
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Ep 13: Thriving in Uncertainty: Three Ingredients for an Anti-Fragile Supply Chain feat. Luis Avila
08/19/2025
Ep 13: Thriving in Uncertainty: Three Ingredients for an Anti-Fragile Supply Chain feat. Luis Avila
There are any number of news stories today that affect manufacturers, including global trade, regulations, and supply chain disruptions. At the same time, manufacturing is not a monolithic industry. Each segment has its own priorities and challenges - not to mention opportunities to take a leading position. Smart companies don’t just plan or prepare for constant change - they optimize for it. In this episode of the #LoveProcurement podcast host Paul Zammit welcomes Luis Avila. Luis is the Managing Director of Strategy, Enterprise Transformation, & Technology Enablement at BDO USA, where he focuses on the complex and highly regulated aerospace and defense space. During their conversation, Luis and Paul discuss how effective supply management is allowing BDO to navigate today’s choppy global business waters: The multitude of factors influencing decisions about where sourcing is done and how those decisions are being made Three pillars that every procurement professional should keep in mind to safeguard supply chain integrity and overcome global challenges How enterprise transformation is critical for companies that want to build and defend competitive advantage
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Ep 12: AI Mythbusting: Fact v. Fiction feat. Pascal Bensoussan
08/05/2025
Ep 12: AI Mythbusting: Fact v. Fiction feat. Pascal Bensoussan
AI is progressing and changing at a rate unlike anything we’ve seen before - and with this pace can easily come confusion. When are claims about AI as good as they sound, and when are they just well-placed smoke and mirrors? Procurement must be able to tell the difference, both for their own platforms and for the other technology spending they support on behalf of the company. In this episode of the #LoveProcurement podcast, host Vishal Patel welcomes Pascal Bensoussan, Chief Product Officer at Ivalua, back to the show. He has seen firsthand how AI has not just been embedded into the Ivalua platform, but also embraced organization-wide. Pascal returns to bring the audience up to date on 12 months of AI innovation and evolution: Why incorporating AI in software will quickly go from cutting edge ‘nice to have’ to a prerequisite for operational viability The added capability enabled by agentic AI, both in terms of contextual processing and also for its ability to reference additional sources of data Real world procurement applications of AI that are driving meaningful business impact, such as responding to tariffs and onboarding suppliers
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Ep 11: A CIO’s View of Procurement feat. Adam Lalani (Alliad)
07/22/2025
Ep 11: A CIO’s View of Procurement feat. Adam Lalani (Alliad)
When this episode’s featured guest first stepped into his current role, he made a point of meeting with all of the different business units and support functions. He found that many of procurement’s most transactional processes were almost entirely manual. Rather than seeing this as a problem, it was seized as an opportunity to improve efficiency and the company’s supplier experience at the same time. In this episode of the #LoveProcurement podcast host Stephen Carter welcomes Adam Lalani to the show. Adam is the Chief Technology Officer at Alliad, a global leader in integrated services in emerging markets around the world. Adam and Stephen talk about the growing role of digital in corporate strategy and what it means for the IT-procurement relationship: Why Alliad made the decision to digitize and automate the supplier journey from beginning to end How the success of that effort inspired them to continue digitally transforming procurement The ongoing effort to re-engineer their processes to take full advantage of the latest digital capabilities
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Ep 10: Supplier Relationship Management feat. Emilie Genin (Elkem)
07/08/2025
Ep 10: Supplier Relationship Management feat. Emilie Genin (Elkem)
Supplier relationship management (SRM) is a key part of how procurement professionals spend their time and create value for the business. Much like the opposite of Customer Relationship Management (CRM), SRM recognizes the importance of building a strong relational foundation with supply partners, even in today’s heavily technology-led world. In this episode of the #LoveProcurement podcast, host Vishal Patel welcomes Emilie Génin to the show. Emilie is a Divisional Procurement Manager at Elkem, a leading producer of advanced material solutions. Emilie speaks openly based on her experience as part of a global team: Why it is so important to be able to work across time zones, geographies, and cultures How Elkem’s perception of risk incentivized investment in a formal supplier relationship management program How procurement communicates the value of SRM to non-procurement stakeholders and ensures systems and process adoption
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Ep 9: Why does ESG matter? feat. Joseph Tonye
06/24/2025
Ep 9: Why does ESG matter? feat. Joseph Tonye
Environmental, social, and governance-related programs must extend through every facet of corporate decision making to have the desired effect. This naturally means that procurement has the opportunity to play a role, supporting decisions and business outcomes that alter how the company operates and engages with the wider world. In this episode of the #LoveProcurement podcast, host Kelly Barner welcomes Joseph Tonye to the show. Joseph is Ivalua’s Global ESG Director, a role that allows him to guide the company’s social and environmental impact and also to understand what Ivalua’s customers are working through on their own ESG journeys. Joseph speaks about the journey he and the team at Ivalua are on to embed ESG into their practices, priorities, and company culture: Reviewing regulatory programs like CSRD and GRI standards Understanding the data and reporting related efforts that capture the ROI of ESG Sharing how he not only keeps ESG top of mind, but allows every member of the team to feel that they are playing an active role in pursuit of the vision
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Ep 8 : Culture as a Key Ingredient in Transformation feat. Karl Poulsen
06/10/2025
Ep 8 : Culture as a Key Ingredient in Transformation feat. Karl Poulsen
With the rate and scale of change in business today, no industry, company, or procurement team can expect to be exempt. That said, some investments are more effective than others when it comes to preparing to face changes head on - turning uncertainty and challenges into value and competitive advantage. In this episode of the #LoveProcurement podcast, host Katie Berlekamp welcomes Karl Poulsen to the show. Karl is the Chief Procurement Officer at HISCOX, a provider of specialized insurance. Karl talks about the most impactful investments he has been able to make and how that has prepared his team for change: Investing in people and measuring the ROI in terms of feedback from the business Helping suppliers understand changes based on business priorities and digital innovation, and making sure they are along for the journey Setting ambitious but appropriate expectations for the impact of new technologies like AI
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Ep 7: A World of Difference: Global Women in Procurement feat. Sara Grongstad and Julia Jokinen
05/27/2025
Ep 7: A World of Difference: Global Women in Procurement feat. Sara Grongstad and Julia Jokinen
Every conversation about equality or opportunity has to happen with full awareness of the larger social or cultural context. Different people, in different places around the world, at different places in their lives want very different things. We should never assume, for instance, that work-life balance or the idea of being ‘family-friendly’ carry the same meaning or generate the same expectations for everyone. In this episode of the #LoveProcurement podcast, Kelly Barner is joined by Sara Khakpour Grongstad and Julia Jokinen for a conversation not just about being women in procurement, but about being global women in procurement! Sara is a Senior Manager and Nordic Sourcing & Procurement Lead in Supply Chain & Network Operations at Deloitte - based in Norway, and Julia is a Manager of Sourcing & Procurement, also at Deloitte but based in Finland. In this episode, Sara and Julia share their perspectives on: The social structures or programs running in different countries that may have an impact on women in professional roles The possibility that there may be connections between how ‘technical’ a role is and the natural mix of people who are drawn to it Whether programs focused on recruiting young girls into technical and scientific fields will have an impact on the future talent makeup in procurement
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Ep 6: Are you TPRM curious? feat. Saima Sabir and Arnaud Malardé
05/13/2025
Ep 6: Are you TPRM curious? feat. Saima Sabir and Arnaud Malardé
Third party risk management (TPRM) is an essential - and strategic - effort for financial services companies, but that doesn’t mean everyone in the organization views it in the same way. For procurement, TPRM equals risk, but for the company as a whole, it is just one form of exposure that must be addressed opportunistically. In this episode of the #LoveProcurement podcast, Kelly Barner is joined by Saima Sabir and Arnaud Malardé. Earlier this year, Saima joined Ivalua for an event in London where she moderated a dynamic panel titled “Navigating the Evolving Landscape of Third-Party Risk Management in Financial Services.” This episode builds on that conversation, with Saima and Arnaud sharing their perspectives on: The major forms of third party risk that supply management organizations need to understand Why enterprise-wide data integrity is essential for rising to the challenge of third party risk management How a changeable regulatory landscape keeps the bar high for risk-aware financial services organizations Links:
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Ep 5: Building Procurement Careers with Meaning feat. Lauren Feery and Kathryn Thompson
04/29/2025
Ep 5: Building Procurement Careers with Meaning feat. Lauren Feery and Kathryn Thompson
Procurement leaders are notorious for finding varied paths into the function, often bringing with them a depth and breadth of experience that the teams they join benefit from. Just as important as the knowledge they gather are the people they meet along the way - mentors and trailblazers who inspire them and open doors ahead of them, clearing a path for them to do the same. In this episode of the #LoveProcurement podcast, Kelly Barner is joined by Lauren Feery and Kathryn Thompson. Lauren is the Group Procurement Director at DS Smith, a leading global sustainable package company. With extensive experience in procurement across 30 countries, Lauren has been instrumental in aligning procurement strategies with overall business objectives. Kathryn is a leading figure in procurement as well, currently heading the procurement practice for Deloitte EMEA. With over 20 years of experience, she specializes in digital procurement and has led numerous transformation programs across various sectors, including consumer products, oil and gas, retail, financial services, and life sciences. In this episode, Lauren and Kathryn speak openly about: The professional journey and background that brought each of them to this point in their career The professional skills and personal traits that set procurement leaders up for success How they think about (and benefit from) working with diverse teams
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Ep 4: How to Become a Procurement 'Prepper' ft Ted Nordquist
04/15/2025
Ep 4: How to Become a Procurement 'Prepper' ft Ted Nordquist
Procurement organizations are no strangers to change, but, over the past few years, the rate and scale of that change have both increased in a way that even veterans of the profession might not have expected. The impact of this change has clearly registered with procurement leaders, many of whom are now working hard to prepare their teams for future shifts and disruptions. In this episode of the #LoveProcurement podcast, Kelly Barner is joined by Ted Nordquist. Ted is the CEO of Sourcian Partner, a professional services firm based in Sweden. During their conversation, Ted shares how current and past challenges are shaping the procurement teams of tomorrow: The circumstances and events that have had the greatest impact on procurement The technical and ‘soft’ skills that will be most in demand moving forward Why communication is key to ensuring procurement receives the recognition and influence they deserve Links:
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Ep 3: Spicing Up Procurement with New Ideas ft Paul Derogee
04/01/2025
Ep 3: Spicing Up Procurement with New Ideas ft Paul Derogee
Procurement has changed considerably over time, from the associated skills and formal professionalism to the available platforms and sources of information. With that change has come more opportunities to collaborate with suppliers, impact the performance of the company as a whole, and incentives for the next generation of professionals to enter the field. In this episode of the #LoveProcurement podcast, Kelly Barner is joined by Paul Derogee, Head of Procurement Heat and Distribution UK at Vattenfall. It wasn’t easy for him to get into procurement at the start of his career, but he’s fully in favor of welcoming any and all to the field today. In this episode, Paul speaks about getting into procurement and building his career: The personal decision - and investment - that opened the door to him starting decades of work in procurement The unique characteristics of working in procurement in the utilities industry Why aspiring young professionals should consider a career in procurement, both for the work it will enable them to do today and the doors it can open for the future Links:
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Ep 2: A New Era in Corporate Compliance ft Nicole Sherwin #LoveProcurement
03/18/2025
Ep 2: A New Era in Corporate Compliance ft Nicole Sherwin #LoveProcurement
As compliance shifts from an internal process-related concept to one associated with external expectations and regulations, procurement’s role continues to grow. Understanding what is at stake, the up and down-side benefits, as well as the why driving the company’s investment are all critical to success. In this episode of the #LoveProcurement podcast, Kelly Barner is joined by Nicole Sherwin, Chief Impact Officer at EcoVadis. Nicole and her colleagues are dedicated to empowering businesses to transform and magnify their sustainability impacts in the value chain in large part by investing in and ensuring compliance. In this episode, Nicole speaks to the challenges and opportunities inherent in modern day compliance: The current level of instability in regulatory compliance and how it affects procurement’s work The benefits associated with early, and potentially optional, compliance reporting - and how to catch up if that is not an option The importance of why a company works to be compliant to the outcomes they are able to drive Links:
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Ep 1: Feel the magic! Procurement meets at Ivalua NOW 2025 ft Aurelie Lucas & Aurelie Teyssier
03/04/2025
Ep 1: Feel the magic! Procurement meets at Ivalua NOW 2025 ft Aurelie Lucas & Aurelie Teyssier
World class events go beyond people, place, and time. If they are planned for and hosted with purpose, they can take on a culture or ‘vibe’ of their own. The more unique and cohesive the event experience is, the more impactful and lasting it will be in the minds of attendees - as well as those who help to run the event. In this episode of the #LoveProcurement podcast, Kelly Barner is joined by Aurelie Teyssier, Ivalua’s Vice President of Corporate Marketing, and Aurelie Lucas, Ivalua’s Senior Marketing Director for EMEA & APAC. They play a critical role in planning for and hosting Ivalua NOW events in Europe and the United States. In this episode, recorded just before Ivalua NOW 2025 will begin, they share behind-the-scenes details about what makes these events truly unique: Getting the right venue, and making sure the surroundings for the event match and even build upon the desired ‘vibe’ Balancing fun experiences and serious professional development in a way that delights and surprises guests What surprises are in store for attendees of Ivalua NOW 2025 in Paris, France and New Orleans, Louisiana Links: on LinkedIn on LinkedIn
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Ep 26: Stimulating an Appetite for Digital Change ft Sam Bowyer
02/18/2025
Ep 26: Stimulating an Appetite for Digital Change ft Sam Bowyer
How well an organization - or a procurement team - knows itself plays a huge role in how successful they are able to be in any change effort, systems implementations included. Knowing what the objectives of the project are and having a plan to stay focused on them until they are achieved is both absolutely critical and also a lot harder than it sounds. In this episode of the #LoveProcurement podcast, Kelly Barner is joined by Sam Bowyer. Sam is a Director at Optis Consulting, where he focuses on the strategy side of implementation. Over the last decade, he has helped procurement teams prepare for, strategize about, and - in some cases - execute systems implementations. Sam shares his experience with some of the greatest challenges and opportunities procurement faces during times of change: How a desire to proceed deliberately may clash with the business’s enthusiasm about new capabilities and functionality The connections (and correlations) between procurement’s mindset towards change and their overall maturity as a function Characteristics he sees among his most effective procurement points of contact Links:
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Ep 25: Selling Procurement for a Living ft Thomas Germer
02/04/2025
Ep 25: Selling Procurement for a Living ft Thomas Germer
Expectations drive what procurement is able to deliver. Whether that means the business’s expectations, supplier expectations, or procurement’s own expectations, what they think they can achieve, and how they think they should spend their time, drives outcomes - for better or worse. While that may sound limiting, if procurement can change their expectations of themselves, they can take on a whole new trajectory. In this episode of the #LoveProcurement podcast, Philip Ideson is joined by Thomas Germer. Thomas is the Director of Central Procurement for ADAC, the “AAA” of Germany and Europe’s largest Automotive Association with over 22 million members and service offerings from roadside assistance, airlines, and helicopters to insurances, credit cards, call centers and many more. Thomas talks about some of the key things he has learned in roles both inside and outside of procurement: How previously being a small business owner impacts his approach to enterprise procurement Why procurement can deliver far more when they move from operations to strategy and vision The importance of matching procurement’s priorities with the company’s business model Links:
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Ep 24: Variety is the Spice of Procurement ft Amanda Christian
01/21/2025
Ep 24: Variety is the Spice of Procurement ft Amanda Christian
Procurement is a diverse profession. Every category presents procurement with unique opportunities and challenges, ensuring that no two days are ever the same. This variety is one of the features that procurement professionals love most about the field. But, when procurement works in government contracting, a whole new set of rules, expectations, and processes apply. In this episode of the #LoveProcurement podcast, Kelly Barner is joined by Amanda Christian. Amanda is the Senior Vice President of Contracts and Subcontracts at CACI. Amanda heads up both the sell and buy side for a government contractor, and she has years of experience navigating the requirements of “Gov Con,” many of which just don’t exist in the private sector. Amanda shares her insight into what it’s like to lead procurement for a government contractor, including: The adjustments procurement has to make when working in government contracting versus the private sector How to meet the needs of a large enterprise or government entity while still prioritizing small businesses, and maintaining data and system security along the way What the intense audit process is really like for procurement when they work in government contracting Links:
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Ep 23: Procurement is For Everyone ft Adele Bleakley #LoveProcurement
01/07/2025
Ep 23: Procurement is For Everyone ft Adele Bleakley #LoveProcurement
The categories procurement manages are as varied as the stakeholders they work with and the suppliers they buy from. But that does not mean learnings from one category, or industry even, can’t be transferred from one to another. In fact, when the objective is value creation, this may be the very advantage that allows procurement to succeed. In this episode of the #LoveProcurement podcast, Kelly Barner is joined by Adele Bleakley. Adele is a Procurement Manager for Sainsburys and was recently recognized as the ‘Highly Commended – Young Talent’ winner at the 2024 CIPS Excellence in Procurement & Supply awards. Adele answers questions about: Her procurement experience that varies from work in automotive direct materials sourcing to retail marketing spend How she collaborates with the business to manage suppliers in a category that is more value than savings focused Her passion for finding new ways of working in procurement Links:
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Ep 22: The Epic Supplier Management Maturity Journey ft Florent Connac
12/17/2024
Ep 22: The Epic Supplier Management Maturity Journey ft Florent Connac
Procurement’s value comes from many different sources, but supplier relationships are a nearly inexhaustible source of potential. Over the last few years, procurement has made significant investments - and substantial progress - in their ability to build relationships with key suppliers as well as to improve the supplier experience overall. In this episode of the #LoveProcurement podcast, Kelly Barner is joined by Florent Connac. Florent is a Project Director for Cyrias, and he has decades of experience in procurement. Florent takes this opportunity to share his perspective on procurement’s supplier management maturity: The skill sets that have contributed to procurement’s supplier relationship improvements How divides such as direct/indirect spend and local v. global play into the maturity journey Success stories from his experience working with companies and observing their supplier relationship habits Links:
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Ep 21: Race to Maturity: Generative AI v. Mankind feat Pascal Bensoussan #LoveProcurement
12/03/2024
Ep 21: Race to Maturity: Generative AI v. Mankind feat Pascal Bensoussan #LoveProcurement
Generative AI, and the models that underpin it, are maturing at a rapid pace. Even procurement, a function that has always been a proving ground for emerging digital capabilities, is scrambling to keep up. In this time of growth, procurement has the chance to stretch their use of technology and also to uncover current mindsets about innovation and experimentation. In this episode of the #LoveProcurement podcast, Pascal Bensoussan, Chief Product Officer at Ivalua, returns to speak with Kelly Barner about the progress that has been made with generative AI and what it has revealed about procurement’s approach to adopting new technologies. Pascal brings the generative AI conversation up to date and looks forward to what may be next: The role that large language models (LLMs) play in the advancement of generative AI Current perspectives from the C-suite and their expectations about digital advancement The mindset shifts that seamlessly integrated technology should drive - especially between corporate functions Links:
/episode/index/show/4acff72c-817c-4f34-a995-9b7c8a1996fa/id/33943697
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Ep 20: Empowering Procurement in Times of Change feat Mathew Schulz #LoveProcurement
11/19/2024
Ep 20: Empowering Procurement in Times of Change feat Mathew Schulz #LoveProcurement
Many procurement conversations are focused on tech, but the work of procurement is innately human - even the digital parts. As procurement systems become bridges to the business, procurement professionals have the opportunity to cross them and forge strategic, more meaningful relationships with entirely new parts of the business. In this episode of the #LoveProcurement podcast, Kelly Barner is joined by Mathew Schulz. Mathew is the Founder of matchat, an accelerator for career-minded procurement professionals. Mathew shares his view on the role of humanity and real connections in driving procurement excellence: The opportunity associated with the data created by and collected in procurement systems How blending art with science is the best way to drive desired business outcomes The value of having an engaged professional network, in person and online Links:
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Ep 19: Procurement Trends and Opportunities for 2025 feat. Ari Stone
11/05/2024
Ep 19: Procurement Trends and Opportunities for 2025 feat. Ari Stone
Each year contains unexpected developments and surprises. Some of them are mere flashes of circumstance while others change the trajectory of industries, communities, and individuals for the long term. The challenge for procurement is knowing what to watch for and then deciding how to prepare. In this episode of the #LoveProcurement podcast, Kelly Barner is joined by Ari Stone. Ari is the Global SVP for Value Engineering, Solution Consulting, and Services at Ivalua, a role that requires him to understand all the factors that impact procurement’s work. Ari shares the key trends he is watching as 2024 draws to a close and offers predictions about what we might expect in the new year: The storylines procurement can expect to see around generative AI in 2025 and how procurement can seize the associated opportunity The critical role that data will play in corporate decision making and how it may change the role of the Chief Procurement Officer How workforce trends are affecting procurement’s ability to influence their peers and how a new generation of professionals is remaking the procurement brand in their own image The ongoing drama of geopolitics and how it is putting pressure on global supply chains while increasing the need for risk management and transparency Links:
/episode/index/show/4acff72c-817c-4f34-a995-9b7c8a1996fa/id/33771357