The Way We Source

Most manufacturing procurement teams overlook a critical opportunity: leveraging AI and strategic communication to unlock their true potential.

Wilbert Baerwaldt, a seasoned expert with over 30 years in supply chain and procurement, reveals for Kodiak Hub how organizations can shift from reactive order takers to trusted strategic partners, without falling into common pitfalls.

When procurement is buried in bureaucracy or seen merely as an administrative function, companies miss out on huge value. Wilbert shares concrete signs of trust - like direct reporting lines to leadership - and warns of red flags such as fragmented supplier management or poor data quality that undermine strategic influence.

He emphasizes that a well-organized procurement function, embedded within the leadership structure, is essential for not just surviving but thriving in today's volatile market.

You'll discover: how to align procurement and planning for smoother operations; the role of communication and stakeholder management in building trust; and how AI can optimize supplier screening, risk assessment, and negotiation prep, if used correctly.

Wilbert discusses the importance of clean data, responsible AI application, and the dangers of overestimating AI's current capabilities, especially around data quality and interpretation.

The stakes are high: organizations that neglect strategic procurement and AI integration risk losing efficiency, competitive advantage, and resilience. The opportunity lies in embracing automation to handle routine tasks, freeing teams to monitor risks, foster supplier relationships, and innovate.

The future favors proactive, data-driven procurement that anticipates disruptions rather than reacts to them.

Most procurement teams miss the potential of sourcing by treating it as a one-and-done task - Oscar Fernández reveals how shifting to continuous discovery can unlock hidden value you didn't know was there.

If you’re tired of sourcing being a boring checkbox or an overhead activity, this episode will challenge your assumptions about how to truly leverage sourcing for competitive advantage.

Oscar Fernández, founder of Procurement & senior partner at Plima, brings over 15 years at the intersection of manufacturing discipline and software chaos. With a background from automotive and high-growth tech companies, he challenges the conventional wisdom that sourcing is just about price and compliance. Instead, Oscar shares how authentic competition, stakeholder alignment, and early leverage create real power—beyond the typical RFP process.

You’ll discover why many procurement functions fall into the trap of process obsession and how shifting focus to market insights, cost modeling, and vendor shaping transforms sourcing from tactical to strategic.

In this episode, we break down:

• Why most organizations view sourcing as a tedious, compliance-driven activity—and how to turn it into a continuous competitive advantage.

• The key to creating real, authentic competition instead of superficial "artificial" bids.

• When leverage is actually created—before the RFP hits the table, not during.

• How transparency, market intelligence, and timing can unlock massive savings and strategic value.

• Why the same principles of cost breakdown and vendor transparency from manufacturing can revolutionize SaaS and service sourcing.

Tune in!

The future of procurement isn’t about categories - it’s about strategic, end-to-end partnerships that drive revenue, not just cut costs.

Bobby Baszynski, Head of Procurement at Mercury and former energy sector negotiator, shares how her unorthodox path taught her to operate in uncertainty and build relationships that lead to transformative business impact.

Discover how procurement can elevate from a cost gatekeeper to a strategic partner by embracing agility, reskilling negotiation muscle, and shifting from siloed categories to integrated business workflows.

Bobby breaks down proven tactics for navigating VUCA markets, managing vendor risks in AI-backed innovations, and designing scalable processes that support rapid growth. She reveals why moving away from rigid silos unlocks better ownership and outcomes, and how procurement’s true value lies in enabling revenue growth - not just savings.

You’ll learn concrete frameworks, from negotiation preparation to risk mitigation and stakeholder choreography that can instantly reshape your approach.

Whether you’re scaling a startup, leading large enterprise transformation, or just rethink how procurement can influence the top line, this episode offers actionable insights to make your team more strategic, more adaptable, and more valued.

Stop scrolling the AI hype and start building a strategy.

Every procurement leader is feeling it: the pressure to "do AI" without a clear map of where to start. In this episode, Sam Jenks sits down with Marijn Overvest, founder of Procurement Tactics, to move past the anxiety and look at the actual reality of procurement in 2026.

Marijn breaks down why 2024/25 was the "year of experimentation" and why 2026 is officially the Year of the AI Agent. We move beyond ChatGPT prompts to discuss how autonomous agents will soon handle the "boring" administrative tasks, finally freeing up procurement pros to do what they do best: build relationships and drive strategic value.

In this episode, we cover:

• The 4 Stages of AI Maturity: Where does your team actually sit?

• The "Skills Gap" Myth: Why digital literacy is more important than buying new software.

• Sustainability vs. Survival: How to handle ESG goals when margins are under fire.

• Future-Proofing: Why empathy and "soft skills" are your ultimate shield against automation.

Unlock the secret to transforming procurement from a cost center into a powerhouse of value with Simon Frost, a true procurement adventurer and a seasoned strategist known for turning procurement into a strategic, value-creating function.

After two decades working with giants like Mars and Innocent, Simon reveals how visionary sourcing and strategic supplier relationships can revolutionize your business - no matter the industry or size.

If you’re a procurement leader feeling overlooked, overwhelmed, or underperforming, this episode is your blueprint to step into your true potential.

Simon shares gripping stories from sourcing $5,000 tons of mango in India to building procurement functions from scratch - showing that procurement is less of a back-office support role and more of a high-stakes adventure.

You’ll discover how elite teams leverage advanced cost modeling to slash costs, boost supply chain resilience, and embed sustainability directly into the P&L. He breaks down the often-misunderstood world of Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) and exposes the wild-west landscape of SRM technology, revealing how mature organizations turn supplier partnerships into strategic long-term alliances.

We dive deep into the critical mindset shifts necessary to elevate procurement’s impact. Simon explains why positioning procurement as a true business partner - rather than a support function is fundamental to winning C-suite buy-in. Plus, he reveals why many teams fail at technology adoption and shares practical strategies that turn software implementations into lasting success stories.

This episode isn’t just for procurement specialists - it's for any business leader eager to unlock procurement’s full potential.

Canda Rozier shares her insights from over 30 years as a procurement practitioner and CPO. The discussion centers on the current state of procurement technology, the hype surrounding AI, and the critical importance of organizational readiness before implementing new tools.

The Reality of AI and Tech Hype

Rozier explains that while AI is currently the "new shiny toy" , it feels different from past trends due to its widespread personal and professional adoption. However, she warns that many companies are simply using "phrase du jour" marketing—like "AI-enabled" or "AI-powered"—without changing their underlying technology. She advises buyers to watch for "tells" of fake AI, such as sales teams who get a "deer in the headlights" look when asked about their underlying Large Language Model (LLM) or vendors who refuse to show a live sandbox demo in favor of a recorded video.

The Inconvenient Truth of Implementation

A significant portion of the discussion addresses why procurement tech often fails. Rozier points out that failure or abandonment rates can reach 80% to 90%. The "inconvenient truth" is that many organizations simply aren't ready for the tech they buy. She compares buying complex software without readiness to buying a Lamborghini without knowing how to drive a manual transmission. Success requires "absorption capacity," which includes the corporate appetite to handle process changes, policy updates, and the realignment of job responsibilities.

Defining Readiness and the "Why"

To be truly ready, Rozier argues that a company must have a unified goal and understand their "why" before purchasing. This includes having a multi-dimensional governance structure and involving cross-functional stakeholders like Finance early on to avoid surprises like mismatched charts of accounts. She also emphasizes that "dirty data" is often a symptom of "dirty processes". Companies must standardize their processes to ensure that once data is cleaned, it stays clean going forward.

Risk as a New Mandate

While procurement has traditionally been "cash motivated" and focused on savings , Rozier notes that risk management is becoming a top-tier mandate due to global regulatory requirements like CSRD and EUDR. She suggests that the fastest way to waste a year in procurement is to chase a shiny toy without a clear purpose , whereas the fastest way to "win a year" is to understand business drivers and partner closely with internal stakeholders.

Indirect spend gets dismissed as “pens and paper” - but Steve Walton (NMCB Consulting, Everything Counts) explains why that mindset quietly creates risk, bloats the supplier base, and leaves value on the table.

In this episode, Steve shares practical stories from marketing procurement (including why media auditing can save millions), plus a stakeholder-friendly enablement approach that turns procurement from a late-stage blocker into an early-stage accelerant - with frameworks for better RFPs, contracting, negotiation, and supplier relationships.

In this episode of The Way We Source, our host Sam Jenks welcomes Jon Hansen, a seasoned voice in procurement with over four decades of experience.

Jon, the founder of Procurement Insights, shares his unique 360-degree perspective on why many procurement initiatives fail and how technology can succeed or falter.

The conversation delves into the challenges of tech-led approaches, the importance of human-centric models, and the often-overlooked mid-market segment.

Jon's insights offer a compelling look at the future of procurement and the critical role of practitioners in driving success.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introduction to Jon Hansen and his background in procurement

(05:12) The evolution of procurement technology over the decades

(12:45) Challenges with tech-led approaches and the importance of human-centric models

(20:30) The role of mid-market organizations in procurement

(28:15) The Hanson Fitts score and measuring practitioner readiness

(35:50) The future of procurement and the need for practitioner-led success

(45:00) Quick-fire round with personal insights from Jon Hansen

In this episode of The Way We Source, host Sam Jenks engages with Jan-Henner Theissen, founder and managing director of Target P, to explore the evolving landscape of procurement. They discuss the cultural differences in procurement practices between Europe and the U.S., the importance of decision-making speed, and the need for a balanced approach to cost, risk, and ESG. Jan emphasizes the significance of supplier relationship management and the necessity for procurement leaders to embrace technology and foster collaboration. The conversation also touches on the future of procurement leadership and the critical role of data analytics in driving success.

This episode, we’re joined by Chris Sawchuk - Principal & Global Procurement Advisory Practice Leader at The Hackett Group. With over 20 years of experience in supply management, Chris works directly with the Global 2000 and midsized companies around the globe, and in a variety of industries, to improve all aspects of supply management, including process redesign, technology enablement, operations strategy planning, organizational change, and strategic sourcing. Mr. Sawchuk specializes in working directly with CPOs to help define a long-term strategy. He is a regular contributor to business publications, a frequent presenter at industry events, and author of numerous research papers and books. Mr. Sawchuk’s background includes engineering, operations, and sales roles with both United Technologies and IBM.

Timestamps:

(00:37) - Introducing Chris 

(02:02) - How has the Hackett Group been either reactive or proactive with tall the volatility in the Procurement industry? 

(04:28) - How have the dominant priorities at the beginning of 2025 changed or held up throughout the year?

(07:28) - What do Procurement teams and leaders mean when they say “transforming the operating model” is a top priority?

(11:11) - Is AI at the center of a Procurement operating model in 2025?

(13:36) - Are Procurement’s changing priorities a result of direct de-prioritization or bandwidth limitations?

(21:05) - Is the deprioritization of SRM contradictory to Procurement’s other higher priorities? 

(25:56) - Where does Procurement fit into the top priorities of a CEO or broader business? 

(31:02) - Why does volatility the biggest driver of transformation in Procurement? 

(32:32) - Should companies invest through volatility to get a competitive edge or tighten the purse strings during the crisis? And how does this apply to AI adoption? 

(41:00) - Chris answers Sam’s round of quick-fire questions 

(44:54) - What does Chris think will define Procurement in 2026? 

In our first cross-over episode, Kodiak Hub's Sam Jenks sits down with Ed Cross & Richard Beattie of the "Procurement Says No" podcast for candid convo about Procurement, full of hot takes, laughs, and learnings.

"Procurement Says No" is an irreverent but insightful take on all things procurement through podcasting - with the thoughts of two CIPS award-winning procurement Gods who want to share their love of procurement with newbies, oldies and the procurious. 

TIMESTAMPS:

(00:36) - Introducing Ed Cross & Richard Beattie of the “Procurement Says No” podcast

(01:55) - What is Procurement Says No’s philosophy of Procurement and what do they say no to?

(03:50) - Why do Procurement professionals take themselves so seriously? And does it play into their role? 

(07:12) - How can Procurement reposition itself to align with the order and be seen as helpful rather than hindering? 

(11:13) - How can Procurement avoid having their process get in the way for the business?

(15:20) - How have Ed & Richard seen AI in Procurement work and not work?

(25:06) - How should Procurement respond to geopolitics and tariffs?

(30:50) - How should Procurement respond to the tariffs in their sourcing?

(37:40) - What should business professionals do to navigate these challenges?

(40:23) - How does Procurement get beyond the spreadsheets and act?

This episode, we’re joined by Nicolas Passaquin, Chief Procurement Officer & Supply Chain Officer for Telia, the multinational telecommunications company and mobile network operator, and Ambassador at The Sustainable Procurement Pledge. 

As a seasoned Procurement practitioner and leader with previous experience at Thomas Reuters, Efficio, Refinitiv, Air France, and more, Nicolas shares his knowledge with Sam Jenks about setting up Procurement orgs for success, staying energized to drive continual transformation, and future-proofing Procurement to stay ahead of the curb.

He and Sam also explore the changes that Nicolas has seen his career and the lessons he’s learned, what to look for with new talent, digital inclusion within Procurement, how to make Procurement be seen as a strategic function, the importance of your network, and more!

Connect with Nicolas on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/passaquin/

Learn more about Kodiak Hub's SRM platform:

https://www.kodiakhub.com

Timestamps:

(00:38) - Introducing Nicolas Passaquin

(01:15) - What does Sourcing & Procurement mean to Nicolas? 

(02:07) - What does a Procurement leader need to do to make the function to be understood as strategic? 

(03:30) - How would Nicolas say that the businesses in his career have differed?

(05:26) - How has Nicolas seen Procurement evolve in the 20 years of his career?

(08:14) - What is the business case that should be made for sustainable sourcing? 

(09:43) - What is digital inclusion in Procurement?

(10:37) - As a Procurement leader, what does Nicolas look for when he hires new talent into his team? 

(11:46) - What are the tactical skills that need to be focused on in 2025? 

(12:46) - What are some examples of data savviness and technical literacy in Procurement?

(14:27) - How does Nicolas stay close to the operational practices of the business as a Procurement leader?

(16:14) - As a CPO, what does Nicolas’ executive team look like?

(17:33) - Was Nicolas’ center of excellence in place when he joined Telia or did he build it? 

(19:02) - What advice would Nicolas give to himself just starting out his career?

(20:33) - What are some of the practical ways that Nicolas builds up his network?

(23:04) - How does Nicolas go about gauging the maturity of a business when he joins?

(23:58) - What checklist does Nicolas go through? 

(25:46) - Nicolas shares his experience from working in different roles and companies throughout his career

(28:24) - How do you keep the sense of execution and focus in a business to continually reenergize? 

(29:52) - What are some of the challenges and successes that Nicolas has experience in his current role at Telia? 

(33:17) - How does Nicolas keep his team motivated during times of consolidation? 

(35:35) - How does Nicolas see the phases of his career and the learnings he got from each?
(37:59) - Nicolas answers our quick fire round of questions

Keith McCabe is the Founder & Managing Director of AVAM Solutions, a specialist procurement and supply chain consultancy focused on cost reduction, supplier performance, project delivery, and strategy. Before taking his knowledge into consultancy, Keith was an experienced Procurement practitioner and leader at organizations such as NHS, United Biscuits, Carillion, and Aramark. Keith is also a Procurement and Supply Chain thought leader as the Co-Founder and Host at Proctopus. 

(00:40) - Introducing Keith

(01:29) - How did Keith start with Procurement? Did he choose it or did it choose him? 

(04:18) - Does creativity play a role in Procurement?

(06:19) - Why does Keith say that Procurement is one of the last entrepreneurial roles?

(09:08) - Is there an experience where Keith felt truly entrepreneurial in Procurement? 

(13:46) - What does Keith think it takes to make the transition from a Procurement practitioner into a leader?

(16:55) - What are the key ways that Keith has seen Procurement’s role evolve in the last 25 years?

(21:24) -  Does Keith think that savings will ever be less important for Procurement than sustainability?

(22:57) - What’s the most interesting learning that Keith has had in his journey?

(28:55) - What has kept Keith still working in Procurement? 

(30:41) - Is it okay to get creative in negotiating with suppliers? 

(37:23) - What helped Keith make the transition into Procurement consulting?

(43:45) - Does humor have a place in Procurement? 

(48:04) - Keith answers our round of quick-fire questions

(50:23) - Get in touch with Keith! 

Mathew Schulz is the Founder of Matchat - modern procurement’s trusted voice that is changing the perception of procurement and movement followed by practitioners, business leaders, and founders at Google, Nike, Coca-Cola, Ramp, Stripe, Zip, American Express, Mastercard, All, Coupe, Amazon, and more. His work is read, viewed, and listened to by millions and featured on industry podcasts and major publications.

Prior to founding Matchat, Mathew has a seasoned career as a procurement practitioner at GE Aerospace, SS&C Eze, Forrester, and Airbase. 

Connect with Mat on his LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mathewschulz/

(00:39) - Introducing Mathew

(01:50) - How did Mathew go from the military to Procurement? 

(03:22) - Does Mathew think that Procurement is linear or more dynamic? 

(04:28) - What does Mathew do for Procurement organizations with Matchat?

(06:45) - What does Procurement need to do to truly attract the next generation of talent? 

(08:45) - What are some of the biggest opportunities for the Procurement community in the next few years?

(10:51) - What were Mathew’s takeaways from this year’s DPW event?

(15:08) - Where does Mathew see the most powerful applications of AI in Procurement? 

(18:53) - What’s most important for Procurement - People, Process, or Technology?

(21:11) - What does Mathew recommend to teams to drive transformations without the luxury of a green field? 

(24:53) - What are some of the big topics that people are talking about now with Matchat?

(29:36) - What role do suppliers play in Matchat’s community and the Procurement community?

(31:57) - What is the general perception of Procurement today? 

(34:22) - Where does a Procurement team start in Mathew’s experience?

(42:00) - What’s one thing that Mathew wishes he knew at the beginning of his career?

(44:28) - Mathew answers our round of quick-fire questions

This episode, we’re joined by Daniel G. Wilson, Head of Indirect Procurement at Philips and a seasoned Procurement practitioner with 25+ years experience at businesses such as Adidas, Unilever, Teva Pharmaceuticals, Air Canada, KPMG, and more. Daniel joins Sam for an inspiring discussion about leadership and change within Procurement, the differences between direct and indirect procurement, staying relevant and contributing as a Procurement leader, succeeding with procuretech adoption, and much more!

Get in touch with Daniel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-g-wilson-4784086/

And learn more about Kodiak Hub’s SRM platform at: https://www.kodiakhub.com 

(00:40) - Introducing Daniel

(01:49) - How did Daniel get into the space of Procurement? 

(02:50) - What makes Daniel excited about Procurement? 

(04:43) - Why is indirect procurement less mature than direct procurement? 

(07:00) - Does Daniel think that Procurement teams separate direct and indirect too much?

(09:42) - What does a best-in-class Procurement team look like today? 

(12:25) - What does it take to make the transition from an IC role to a leadership role in Procurement?

(15:05) - How does Daniel background play into his career?

(18:17) - How do you stay relevant and contribute to the day-to-day in a leadership role?

(22:30) - What are Daniel’s tips for staying close to the pulse?

(25:16) - Does Daniel have any tips for managing one-to-one meetings with Procurement team members?

(28:00) - What are some of the pillars of a successful transformation project in Procurement?

(29:35) - What are the barriers within organizations to adopting new technology?

(31:54) - When it comes to adopting ProcureTech, should Procurement teams go to market with their problem and co-create solutions with providers? 

(37:15) - What’s something that Daniel wishes he knew at the beginning of his career?

(39:30) - Daniel answers our quick-fire round of questions

We’re joined by Robert Byström, Head of Procurement at Holmen Wood Products, Partner at StromGold Consulting, and Ambassador at The Sustainable Procurement Pledge.

With over 18 years experience as a Sourcing & Procurement leader, both as a practitioner and consultant, Robert shares his extensive knowledge about effective change management and Procurement transformation in this fantastic discussion with Sam Jenks. They discuss what type of change is needed in Procurement, common challenges of driving change, how Procurement can succeed throughout their organization, and much more! 

(00:39) - Introducing Robert Byström 

(01:40) - What still gets Robert excited about working in Procurement & Sourcing?

(02:47) - What does Robert think is the main objective of Procurement in an organization?

(05:04) - What is the biggest shift that Robert has seen in Procurement throughout his career?

(05:39) - Does Robert think that the expectations on Procurement have grown?

(06:35) - Does Robert think that it’s difficult to drive change in Procurement due to the nature of the role?

(09:33) - Who are some of the most important stakeholders for Procurement to drive change with? 

(11:21) - How do you decide which areas are most important to drive change in Procurement?

(12:31) - How does Robert identify areas that need change?

(13:38) - Where has Robert seen change and development for Procurement in recent years?

(16:04) - What would Robert tell a Procurement practitioner just starting out their career?

(17:30) - How has Robert’s background as a consultant helped him become a better Procurement practitioner? 

(19:43) - What type of frameworks or strategies does Robert use to drive change?

(22:26) - What are some of the most difficult areas of Procurement to drive true change? 

(24:04) - What is a challenging project that Robert has learned from?

(26:52) - What are the competencies that are most important for starting in Procurement?

(30:36) - Is there something that Robert knows today that he wishes he knew when he started in Procurement?

(32:24) - How has Robert’s career experiences influenced the way that he works with suppliers?

(35:13) - Robert answers our round of quick-fire questions

In this episode, we’re joined by Nico Bac – Founder of Digital Procurement Now, former Senior Director at Procter & Gamble, and an expert in Digital Procurement Transformation with over 20 years of experience in Purchasing.

Nico joins Sam for a fantastic discussion about digital transformation in Procurement – from building business cases and being bold about new technology needs, to overcoming struggles and succeeding with tech adoption, to closing Procurement’s knowledge gaps with technology, and much more! 

(00:38) - Introducing Nico

(01:16) - What does Sourcing & Procurement mean to Nico?

(02:12) - What is Nico excited about Procurement today? 

(03:32) - Nico talks about his 20+ years experience in Procurement at Procter & Gamble

(07:25) - Why does Nico think that Technology and Procurement are two different worlds? 

(09:18) - Does Nico think that Procurement dares to be bold today? 

(11:18) - How can Procurement build better business cases for new technology adoption? 

(13:47) - Why are Procurement teams struggling to get the tech that they need and how can they succeed?
(17:14) - How does a business formulate their problem statement before going to the ProcureTech market? 

(19:10) - Does Procurement have a harder time buying things that they themselves will use? 

(21:02) - What do ProcureTech companies need to do better to ensure that businesses adopt their technology? 

(25:20) - How does Nico think that Procurement can close their knowledge gap with Technology? 

(28:11) - Is there a gap between Procurement’s expectations of technology and hyper-productivity? 

(32:55) - What does Nico think are the biggest trends coming to Procurement in the next 5 years?

(35:35) - Does Nico believe that best-in-breed solutions will last or ProcureTech will move towards consolidated suites?

(38:42) - Nico answers our round of quick-fire questions

In this episode, we’re joined by Constantin Conquet, Head of Procurement at Monks – the global marketing and technology services provider that accelerates business possibilities and refines how brands and businesses interact with the world – and a seasoned Procurement professional with over 10 years of experience at companies like Adidas and Sanofi. 

Constantin joins Sam for a great discussion about how Sales experience can influence Buying, the role of brands in supplier negotiations, the differences between tech & material procurement, how Procurement should adopt technologies & build their tech stack, and much more! 

(00:39) - Introducing Constantin 

(01:30) - What does Sourcing & Procurement mean to Constantin?

(02:58) - How much does Constantin think that Procurement is commercial vs. soft skills? 

(03:58) - How did Constantin’s previous experience in Sales influence his work in Procurement? 

(05:03) - Did Constantin’s experience in Sales make him a better Buyer?

(05:50) - Did Constantin choose Procurement or did Procurement choose Constantin? And why did Constantin transition into Procurement?

(07:53) - Why does Constantin think that Procurement has become so hot today?

(09:20) - How can the nature of a company’s brand or product influence their Procurement? 

(12:42) - Should Procurement leverage their brand in their supply negotiations? 

(13:51) - Do Procurement pros have a harder time or easier time buying procurement technology when they’re also the user profile? 

(16:42) - Do Procurement teams ever get handcuffed by the process and focus on digitization instead of digitalization? 

(19:26) - How does Constantin stay ahead of the trends as a tech buyer?

(21:55) - Is Procurement focused on building a resilient tech stack? 

(24:12) - What does Constantin think is the best way to build a culture of learning, development, and change? 

(26:40) - When does Constantin think that a company needs IT or tech buying? 

(29:44) - How does tech & IT procurement differ from material procurement? And is there anything these disciplines can learn from each other? 

(33:40) - How do software providers maintain long relationships with Procurement and can Procurement use a software for more than 5 years? 

(36:00) - When is it the right or wrong time for Procurement to buy from a tech startup? 

(39:05) - Constantin answers Sam’s quick fire round of questions

In this episode, we’re joined by Anna McGovern, CPIM, CSCP - Business & Consulting Partner at Tompkins Ventures, Founder & Managing Director at Pondview Consulting, former CPO at Unilever, and a Supply Chain & Procurement Evangelist helping business to streamline supply chains & procurement, boost efficiency, maximize value, and tapping into supplier networks for innovation and growth.
In this fantastic conversation, Anna and Sam discuss various lessons from her impressive career, the importance of strategic supplier relationships, how to drive procurement together with suppliers, and Procurement’s role within their business in this new era. 

(00:38) - Introducing Anna

(01:18) - What does Sourcing & Procurement mean to Anna?

(02:09) - How did Anna start working in Procurement?

(03:58) - What are the distinguishing factors between Buying and Procurement as a role?

(06:55) - When does Anna think it’s okay or wrong to take bets on supplier-led innovation?

(08:28) - Why should Procurement invest in supplier innovation?

(10:05) - What is the real responsibility of Procurement and how can they shift from a focus on savings to driving revenue?

(14:34) - Does Anna have any experiences with driving direct value through Procurement?

(19:31) - When is a supplier relationship too broken and you need to find a new supplier?

(21:01) - Which is more important: a deep, long-term, strategic supplier relationship or a reliable low-cost supplier?  

(24:46) - What is the importance of storytelling in Procurement & Supply Chain?

(29:32) - What is the role of Procurement to become a supplier’s Customer of Choice and what factors can influence that?

(32:39) - Is beating down on suppliers in cost negotiations a thing of the past?

(35:31) - What is a lesson that Anna would share with someone starting their career in Procurement & Supply Chain?

(38:11) - What’s one thing Anna knows today that she wishes she knew at the start of her Procurement career?

(40:29) - Anna answers Sam’s round of quick-fire questions

In this episode, we’re joined by Rani Al Hajji, start-up advisor and an experienced marketing and brand manager in the FMCG space.

With over 25 years of experience with iconic brands such as L’Oreal, Garnier, Colgate, and Palmolive, Rani joins Sam to share his knowledge about the relationship between sustainability and innovation, and marketing and procurement.

In this fantastic discussion, Rani covers the balance between functionality and sustainability in product innovation, how businesses can drive sustainability across their organization, how important suppliers are for sustainable innovation, and more! 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rani-al-hajji/

(00:37) - Introducing Rani

(01:33) - What does Rani think of as a marketing professional when he hears “sourcing” and “procurement”?

(03:39) - How would Rani break down the chapters of his 25 year career? 

(08:14) - What does Rani view as the three pillars of sustainability and innovation?

(14:08) - Does Rani think that consumers are willing to sacrifice for sustainability?

(16:06) - If we can’t sacrifice functionality for sustainability, how can we best develop sustainable products and bring them to market?

(19:00) -  Are there any instances where businesses can sacrifice functionality for improved sustainability? 

(22:05) - How does Rani define what innovation truly looks like and does he have any good examples of it? 

(25:08) - What are some of the typical pitfalls that Rani has seen in businesses that are trying to innovate?

(28:34) - How can marketing and procurement best collaborate to enhance the value of innovation for the end consumer? 

(33:35) - How do companies take responsibility for sustainability across the organization and how does the relationship between procurement and marketing play into that? 

(37:24) - How can a business create champions for sustainability in their supplier base? 

(39:39) - Rani answers Sam’s quick-fire round of questions

In this episode of “The Way We Source,” we’re joined by Sigrid Brendel, an experienced Procurement leader within the FMCG industry and the Founder & Strategic Adviser at Brendel Interim. In her impressive career, she has served as a Procurement Director at companies like Kraft and Modelez, as well as the CPO at Campari Group.
Sigrid joined Sam for an enlightening discussion about her journey in Procurement, how to build a strong organization, elevating Procurement as a priority within a business, how to best collaborate with internal stakeholders, the importance of Supplier Relationship Management, and more!

(00:40) - Introducing Sigrid

(01:25) - What made Sigrid start her journey in Procurement?

(02:13) - What does Procurement & Sourcing mean to Sigrid?

(03:03) - What drove Sigrid to start her journey as an entrepreneur?

(06:02) - How can adaptability help a Procurement team and what is the importance of that?

(07:44) - How does Sigrid look at the evolution of her career in Procurement? 

(12:56) - How does a Procurement leader most efficiently keep close to the pulse of their actual buying and practice? 

(15:48) - Sigrid discusses her experience coming in as a Procurement leader at Campari and how she built her organization and strategy

(19:24) - Sigrid discusses the importance of Supplier Relationship Management for successful Category Management

(20:04) - What does Sigrid believe that strategic SRM entails? 

(22:22) - What were Sigrid’s biggest learning about building a center of excellence and sharpening it?

(28:38) - What are Sigrid’s tips for Procurement teams that aren’t prioritized in their organization and how to make Procurement more of a priority? 

(31:13) - What story should Procurement tell within their organizations?

(34:57) - Which Procurement tactics does Sigrid think are of the past and which are here to stay?

(38:23) - Sigrid answers our Kodiak Moment quick fire round of questions

In this episode, Sam is joined by Pascal Evertz, a Procurement Innovator, Founder of GoBeyondProcurement, and Owner & Managing Director of Buyers United. With over 25 years of experience in the industry and a doctorate in Business Administration, Pascal has consulted numerous global businesses with training and development in bespoke AI solutions.

Pascal shares his knowledge with Sam in an enlightening discussion about AI solutions, Procurement’s digital transformation, the shift from cost savings to value creation, stronger supplier relationships, change management, and more!  

(00:40) - Introducing Pascal

(01:23) - What does Sourcing & Procurement mean to Pascal?

(02:14) - What made Pascal work in Procurement? 

(03:00) - What does Pascal do at GoBeyondProcurement? 

(04:26) - How does one avoid the buzz about AI as a Procurement practitioner? 

(05:35) - Why does Pascal think that some businesses might be hesitant to use AI in Procurement? 

(06:16) - Is Procurement ready for the next generation of technology? And if so, how do they get there? 

(08:00) - Why are Procurement teams not happy with their tools? 

(09:33) - Why does Pascal think that so many Procurement teams have trouble with change management? 

(10:12) - How can Procurement teams make the shift from cost savings to innovation and value? 

(13:08) - How does a team best leverage their suppliers’ competencies?

(16:28) - Are there Procurement tactics today that Pascal thinks will soon be a thing of the past? 

(17:37) - What are some traditional Procurement tactics that Pascal thinks are here to stay? 

(18:38) - Why are Procurement teams still using inefficient methods? 

(19:38) - Why does Procurement feel that they need to be in control? And how can Procurement get involved early to not come into the process too late? 

(24:26) - Pascal answers Sam’s quick fire round of questions

In this episode, we’re joined by Adwoa Owusu-Banahene, Procurement Leader at London Legacy Development Corporation and a seasoned leader in public procurement and the construction & development space with over 15 years of experience.
She and Sam share a great discussion on how Adwoa felt called to procurement, the responsibilities of public procurement to their communities, how new regulations are reshaping supplier relationships, the importance of diversity in procurement teams and the supply chain, and much more! 

(00:39) - Introducing Adwoa 

(01:20) - What does Sourcing & Procurement mean to Adwoa? 

(04:34) - What made Adwoa choose to work in Sourcing & Procurement? 

(07:37) - Why did Adwoa decide to become a specialist in the Procurement space? 

(09:05) - How is construction & development Procurement different from other industries? And how does public and private Procurement differ? 

(12:22) - Does Adwoa think public Procurement is hindered from innovation or is that shifting? 

(15:00) - How can Procurement practitioners do more with less?

(17:05) - How do regulations in public Procurement affect supplier relationships? 

(20:40) - What value does Adwoa provide for London in her role at LLDC?

(23:12) - Does Adwoa think that Procurement has an obligation to make an impact in communities?

(29:11) - How can Procurement improve its diversity, equity, and inclusion and how does this affect supplier diversity?

(34:08) - What are some of the common misconceptions about Procurement in the construction and development space? 

(36:39) - Adwoa answers our quick fire round of questions

We’re joined by Anam Rahman - “Agent PO” and the Founder & CEO at Kavida, the AI solution that empowers manufacturing teams with post-PO management for on-time deliveries.

As a former procurement practitioner turned ProcureTech founder, Anam shares his wide range of Procurement insights with Sam Jenks in this great discussion, covering Kavida’s mission, AI adoption, PLG, Anam’s learnings as a founder, and more! 

(00:38) - Introducing Anam

(01:38) - What does Kavida do and why do teams need its solutions?

(04:11) - What lead Anam to found Kavida? 

(06:08) - Where does Kavida make the biggest impact for organizations today?

(08:06) - How will we find the balance between AI and human intelligence in Procurement? 

(11:48) - Is AI only for digital native companies or can any company adopt it? And what is needed to prepare a company to adopt AI solutions? 

(14:48) - What is PLG and what comes to mind for Adam about PLG? 

(18:15) - Will PLG ever work within the enterprise?

(21:57) - What was a learning in Anam’s journey and how did he move forward? 

(24:44) - What’s something Anam knows today that he wishes he’d known at the beginning of his career? 

(27:21) - What tips does Anam have for anyone on a founder’s journey? 

(30:08) - Anam answers our Kodiak Moment quick fire round of questions

On this episode, we’re joined by Vera Rozanova - a Procurement thought leader, award-winning speaker, CIPS lecturer, and former CPO at Royal Canin, British American Tobacco, Rusagro, and Procter & Gamble. 

Vera joins Sam for a great discussion about the future of Procurement, how to build new plans and frameworks, building strong Supplier Development Programs, the necessary skills for Procurement teams, new technology adoption, and more! 

(00:39) - Introducing Vera  

(01:32) - How did Vera get started in Procurement? 

(02:58) - What does Vera think Procurement is today and where is it going? 

(03:58) - How will Procurement teams look different under Procurement 4.0? 

(05:29) - What are Vera’s concrete tips to impact culture and building processes and frameworks quickly? 

(06:39) - What are Vera’s guidelines for building a plan and executing on it in a new organization? 

(08:17) - How does Vera source the best talent for Procurement when she’s hiring? 

(11:02) - What skills does Vera look for in a new hire besides soft skills & hard skills? 

(12:31) - Are there specialist Procurement roles that have emerged today which will stick around for the future? 

(15:01) - What is Vera’s approach to supplier development within a global multi-national? 

(17:25) - Does Vera use a specific segmentation model for suppliers or develop one based on the business? 

(19:04) - What type of team and skills are needed for a strong supplier development plan? 

(21:50) - When is it the right time to work with supplier learning and development? 

(22:24) - When is the wrong time to work with supplier development? What are the signs that it’s too early or late? 

(24:11) - Are supplier development programs only necessary for strategic suppliers or a certain level of maturity? 

(25:22) - Which Procurement tactics are not going anywhere and here to stay? 

(27:36) - Where are Procurement teams wasting time on manual tasks? 

(28:25) - Is there a reluctancy to adopt new technologies in Procurement? 

(29:18) - Vera answers our Kodiak Moment round of quick-fire questions

In this special episode, we’re joined by one of Kodiak Hub’s beloved partners - Denin Gigovic, Elektrobit’s Global Head of Procurement. 

Denin joins Sam for a great discussion about how Procurement can help power innovation together with suppliers, how to balance cost with innovation, building strong relationships between internal stakeholders and external suppliers, the future of Procurement, and more!

(00:39) - Introducing Denin

(01:10) - What does Sourcing & Procurement mean to Denin?

(03:48) - What are some of the keys to career development in Procurement? 

(09:32) - Denin talks about his Procurement role at Elektrobit 

(11:11) - How does the competitiveness of different industries affect the way Procurement teams act and react? 

(12:50) - How does Denin and Elektrobit balance cost with innovation? 

(13:52) - What supplier relationship tactics does Denin use to drive innovation and get the most value? 

(15:15) - How does Procurement mesh their relationships with internal stakeholders and external suppliers? 

(18:46) - How does Denin make sure to stay operational in the business and what tips does he have? 

(21:13) - Is there any way that Elektrobit is experimenting with AI? 

(25:04) - How does legislation and export control affect the way that Denin and Elektrobit source? 

(28:25) - Does Denin have any suggestions for how to be compliant with the recent legislative tsunami? 

(32:33) - What is a mistake or learning that Denin has had in his career? 

(34:12) - What are some Procurement tactics that Denin thinks are a thing of the past? 

(35:34) - Are there things that have changed with Denin’s supplier relationship strategies? 

(37:51) - Denin answers our Kodiak Moment quick fire round of questions

In this episode, we’re joined by Magnus Josephson, an accomplished Procurement expert and consultant with experience in both the private and public sectors. In his impressive career, Magnus has worked with over 600 companies and public entities in 12 countries and is one of Sweden’s top consultants in public Procurement. 

Magnus joins Sam to discuss the differences between public and private Procurement, the politics of public Procurement, how to build sustainable supplier relationships in the public sector, and more! 

(00:38) - Introducing Magnus

(01:08) - What made Magnus choose Procurement and what does it mean to Magnus?

(02:36) - What’s something that Magnus knows now that he wishes he knew at the beginning of his career?

(04:54) - What was an experience in Magnus’ career that was pivotal? 

(08:58) - What are the biggest differences between public and private Procurement?

(10:25) - How political does public Procurement get?

(13:23) - How does public Procurement maintain long-term relationships with suppliers than also have flexibility? 

(18:39) - Are there any Procurement tactics that Magnus thinks aren’t going anywhere and are here to stay?

(22:14) - How does public Procurement have external pressure to spend taxpayer money responsibly? 

(27:29) - Magnus answers our Kodiak Moment quick fire round of questions

This episode, we’re joined by Alex Evans, a procurement practitioner with a wide range of experience in the aerospace and defense sector – having previous sourced for Boeing, Leonardo, Vertical Aerospace, and Heart Aerospace before joining Elbit Systems UK as their Supply Chain Manager.
Alex discusses his experiences of working at both multinationals and startups, the differences and similarities between Procurement in aerospace vs. other industries, whether Procurement has won the trust of stakeholders, how to build a supplier base from scratch, which SRM tactics are dead or here to stay, and more! 

(00:39) - Introducing Alex

(01:03) - How did Alex start working in Procurement & Sourcing?

(01:50) - What makes Alex stay in Procurement and what does it means to him? 

(02:48) - How is Procurement in the aerospace and defense industry different from Procurement in other industries? 

(03:43) - What’s the biggest difference between working in Procurement for multinationals vs. startups? 

(05:44) - Is it hard for Procurement teams in startups to get things right?

(07:24) - Do multinationals have something to learn from startups?

(09:00) -  Where do you start with building a Procurement team in a startup? 

(12:00) - Does Procurement have playbooks and who should be responsible for creating them? 

(13:47) - Has Procurement won the trust of stakeholders? 

(15:37) - What is some advice that Alex can give for building trust with stakeholders?

(17:11) - Where does one start to build up a new supplier base?

(19:15) - How many suppliers should a Procurement professional have in their back pocket?

 (21:09) - How do you develop a supplier who isn’t delivering up to expectations? 

 (25:18) - What are some of the traditional Supplier Relationship Management tactics that are dead now? 

(26:24) - What are some SRM tactics that are here to stay? 

(28:05) - Alex answers our Kodiak Moment round of quick-fire questions

In this episode, we’re joined by Francesco Bassoli, an accomplished Procurement leader and practitioner with over 20 years of experience, having previously served as the CPO of Alcoa and the VP of Global Procurement at Amcor. 

Francesco discusses how his background in engineering has influenced his career in Procurement, how he’s transitioned to different industries during his Procurement career, his thoughts on how Procurement can drive Sustainability within their organizations, and more! 

(00:38) - Introducing Francesco

(01:36) - What does Sourcing and Procurement mean to Francesco?

(03:32) - Why has Procurement typically been seen as a secondary function within organizations even though it’s so vital? 

(06:10) - Has Francesco’s background as an engineer influenced his work in Procurement? 

(08:44) - How has Francesco taken lessons from each of the different industries that he’s worked in during his Procurement career?

(14:08) - Is it challenging to change industries as a Procurement practitioner? And does Francesco have any advice for doing so? 

(17:57) - What does Francesco think that the mega-trend of “Sustainability” means for Procurement and its practitioners? 

(22:56) - How can businesses practically lay the groundwork for sustainable development throughout their supply chains? 

(27:38) - How can Procurement convince their businesses that Sustainability brings a competitive edge? 

(31:28) - Francesco answers our quick-fire round of questions

In this episode, we’re joined by a household name and thought leader in Procurement – Peter Smith. With over 40 years (or make that 30 years) of experience, Peter has worked with Procurement as a practitioner, professor, Managing Editor of Spend Matters Europe, and author of the books “Bad Buying” and “Procurement with Purpose.” He joins us to discuss how he’s seen Procurement evolve during his career and where it’s going in the future, where Procurement is succeeding and “F’ing up,” how to avoid “Bad Buying,” and more! 

(00:40) - Introducing Peter

(02:25) - What does Procurement & Sourcing mean to Peter?

(04:40) - How has the role of Procurement evolved over Peter’s career and why has it changed? 

(08:36) - What topics does Peter see are most pressing for the next generation of Procurement in university? 

(11:45) - How well is the theory of Sustainable Procurement aligning with the actual practice? 

(12:52) - How do Procurement leaders go beyond just “ticking the boxes” and drive truly Sustainable Procurement?

(16:10) - Where does Peter see businesses succeeding and where are they F’ing up? 

(18:52) - How does Peter think that targets are actually influencing Procurement practitioners? 

(22:26) - How does Peter think that businesses are F’ing up? 

(26:13) - What are some steps that Procurement can take to avoid Bad Buying? 

(30:48) - Peter talks about the importance of investing in Contract Management

(34:20) - Peter answers our quick-fire round of questions 

In this episode, we’re joined by Lukas Wawrla, Co-Founder & Managing Director of Archlet. Lukas tells us about how he stumbled into sourcing & procurement with no prior experience while co-founding his sourcing platform in university, how Archlet broke into the sourcing space and found the success it has today, Lukas’s experience as an unexpected procure tech founder, and his thoughts on what the next trends in procurement and sourcing will be. 

(00:44) - Introducing Lukas

(01:30) - What does sourcing & procurement mean to Lukas?

(02:25) - How did Lukas get started in procurement?

(04:05) - What is the mission of Archlet? 

(05:48) - What is Archlet doing differently from other sourcing solutions so they could break into the space? 

(08:17) - How does Lukas think GenAI will change sourcing? 

(10:55) - Are today’s procurement teams digitally mature enough to adopt and utilize GenAI?

(13:45) - How does Archlet ensure that it delights its customers at every step? 

(16:55) - How does Archlet get over hurdles within user adoption? 

(19:27) - How does Lukas find the right balance between standardization and configuration? 

(21:17) - How will procurement get over the hurdles of adopting standardized new solutions? 

(23:00) - Why did Lukas decide to make Archlet with a more consumerized design? 

(25:40) - Why does Lukas think that founders have difficulty talking about losses? 

(30:23) - What tips does Lukas have for other ProcureTech founders or entrepreneurs? 

(32:44) - Lukas answers Sam’s quick-fire round of questions

This episode, we’re joined by a ProcureTech pioneer - Heiko Schwarz, founder & CEO of riskmethods. Heiko discusses his journey as a ProcureTech founder, how risk management has evolved over the last decade, the next big trends he sees coming in procurement, and more! 

(00:39) - Introducing Heiko

(01:11) - What does Sourcing & Procurement mean to Heiko?

(02:20) - How’s life for Heiko as a ProcureTech pioneer?

(03:47) - What does Heiko think will be the next big talent trends in Procurement? 

(05:58) - What products and solutions did Heiko develop with riskmethods? 

(10:44) - How has Heiko seen Supplier Risk Management grow in his career?
(14:39) - Where is Supplier Risk Management headed next?

(17:10) - Did Heiko ever feel lonely as a founder?

(19:40) - What were the biggest changes that Heiko saw in his business throughout different stages of growth?

(24:11) - What was one of Heiko’s biggest learnings as an entrepreneur?

(27:35) - What was the journey to break into the US market like?

(31:08) - How did riskmethods get their first early-adopter clients in the US?

(33:55) - Heiko answers our quick-fire round of questions 

We’re thrilled to be joined by a household name in the Procurement space, Omer Abdullah - former Principal at A.T. Kearney, co-founder of The Smart Cube, and author of “Risk and Your Supply Chain: Preparing for the Next Global Crisis.” Sam talks to Omer about the changes he’s seen in Procurement in his 30-year career, the adoption of ProcureTech solutions and how it will transform teams in the future, whether the hype around GenAI is justified, and more! 

Timestamps:

(00:40) - Introducing Omer

(01:25) - What does Sourcing & Procurement mean to Omer?

(02:50) - What made Omer decide to work in Procurement?

(04:16) - What is “high performance intelligence” for Procurement in 2023?

(06:50) - Where does Omer think that Procurement teams are lacking intelligence? 

(09:20) - What does Omer think about the hype around GenAI in Procurement?

(12:31) - What Procurement roles will be most affected by GenAI?

(16:11) - What does the effects of technology on Procurement teams mean for ProcureTech vendors? 

(19:17) - Is the future of ProcureTech adoption bottom-up? 

(23:00) - Is the average Procurement team ready for the adoption of cutting-edge ProcureTech or is it still only for the digital natives?

(24:00) - Why is Procurement talking about GenAI so much if most teams aren’t ready to adopt it? 

(25:55) - How do we avoid leaving people behind with the adoption of ProcureTech? 

(27:55) - What’s one think Omer knows now that he wishes he knew at the beginning of his career?

(30:53) - Omer answers our quick-fire round of questions

This week, we’re joined by Fredrik Taube, Head of Procurement at Söderberg & Partners and former Head of Sourcing for Ericsson. Fredrik discusses how he began his career in Sales at Ericsson before transitioning to Procurement and leading Ericsson’s global Sourcing team. He shares some lessons that he’s learned from having sat on both sides of the table to develop a 360-Degree Procurement Mindset and his experience with building a Procurement organization from scratch. 

Timestamps:

(01:24) - What does Sourcing & Procurement mean for Fredrik?

(02:08) - How did Fredrik end up working in Procurement?

(02:54) - Fredrik talks about his current procurement role at Söderberg & Partners

(03:50) - What lessons from Fredrik’s career has he taken into his work today? 

(05:31) - What are the most important tools for a Procurement professional to successfully transition into a new organization? 

(06:41) - What can Procurement learn from Sales, and vice-versa? 

(07:55) - How can Procurement & Sales improve their understanding of each other’s perspectives and needs? 

(09:18) - How has Fredrik seen an evolution in Buyer-Supplier relationships during his career?

(12:47) - What was the most challenging aspect of transitioning to Fredrik’s current position? 

(16:45) - What advice does Fredrik have for someone with the opportunity to build up a new Procurement org? 

(20:00) - How does talent recruitment differ between different types of Procurement teams? 

(21:26) - How does Fredrik assure that he stays current and up-to-date throughout his career? 

(23:59) - What does Fredrik see his Procurement peers doing right and wrong? 

(26:10) - What tips does Fredrik have for staying close to the pulse of a business operationally? 

(27:10) - What else are Procurement teams getting right today? 

(28:40) - What is something that Fredrik knows today that he wishes he knew at the beginning of his career? 

(30:59) - Fredrik answers our round of quick-fire questions

Christian Paul is an expert in game theory and Geschäftsführer (or “Managing Director”) of nnamu, the German ProcureTech solution that utilises game theory algorithms to improve sourcing strategies and negotiations.

He joins us to discuss his journey from Procurement consultant to startup founder, how nnamu helps its clients, and what Procurement teams can learn from game theory in their strategies and negotiations.

Timestamps:

(01:30) — What does Sourcing & Procurement mean to Christian?

(03:18) — What are Christian and nnamu trying to achieve in Procurement?

(05:01) — How is nnamu different from Procurement solutions of the past?

(06:46) — What is game theory and how does nnamu use it within Procurement?

(09:56) — What does winning look like within Procurement?

(12:31) — Does the current level of maturity in Procurement match nnamu’s offerings and the use of game theory?

(14:45) — What type of businesses are mature enough to use game theory in Procurement?

(16:04) — What’s the reason behind the name “nnamu”?

(18:40) — What made Christian leave consulting to launch his own venture?

(21:06) — How did Christian end up working in Procurement?

(24:01) — Does Christian ever get lonely as a founder?

(29:08) — What are Christian’s tips for other ProcureTech founders?

(33:05) — What does Christian wish that he knew at the beginning of his career?

(36:00) — Kodiak Moment: Christian answers our quick-fire round of questions

Timestamps:

(01:22) — What does Procurement & Sourcing mean to Alex? Alex talks about how Procurement has changed in recent years.

(03:20) — What made Alex decide to work in Procurement?

(04:43) — What made Alex found his company Nutral?

(05:47) — What is the gap in the market that Alex and Nutral are trying to fill?

(08:32) — Why did Alex decide to become a founder?

(10:28) — What lessons did Alex take from his career as a Procurement practitioner into his career as a founder?

(13:19) — Why do founders have a tough time talking about losses and failures?

(15:52) — Can Procurement function with complete authenticity and openness within a Buyer-Supplier relationship?

(19:23) — How does Alex believe that Procurement teams can become a force and a friend to the wider business?

(22:29) — What are companies currently getting right (or wrong) about ESG?

(24:38) — How can multinationals be convinced to make the sustainable choice when it’s also the more expensive choice?

(27:38) — What’s one thing that Alex wishes he would have known at the beginning of his career?

(29:40) — Kodiak Moment: Alex answers our quick-fire round of questions

This episode, we’re joined by Stephen Day, CPO of Kantar and an accomplished international executive with expertise in operations management, supply chain purchasing, and multi-country transformation and change. Stephen shares with us the lessons that he’s learned in his 30-year career in Procurement at organisations such as Rolls Royce, Phillips, T-Mobile, and Vodafone, and how he’s witnessed the evolution of ProcureTech and its impact on creating end-to-end value for businesses.

(01:59) - What exactly does Sourcing & Procurement mean to you?

(02:35) - Is Procurement & Sourcing always valued in the business as a value-adder?

(03:17) - Any tips for someone starting out in a leadership position in Procurement?

(05:35) - What made you decide to work in Procurement?

(08:20) - How does your role at Kantar differ from your previous roles in Procurement?

(12:08) - Have you seen Procurement technology shift during your career?

(14:00) - What’s something you know about ProcureTech today that you wish you knew earlier in your career?

(15:53) - How can a Procurement leader best encourage an org to adopt new technology?

(20:00) - What’s the process of going from a new business without any ProcureTech in place to where you are today?

(22:26) - What was it like to implement Procurement transformation during the COVID-19 pandemic?

(23:30) - Steve on diversity in Procurement and the Growth Mindset

(24:35) - Steve on the lessons he’s learned as a Procurement leader

(27:14) - How did your team face the challenges of maverick spend and redundant suppliers?

(29:20) - Have you seen a shift in diversity & inclusivity within Procurement? And has this resulted in more inclusive spend?

(32:28) - Steve’s Kodiak Moment quick-fire round