Art of Procurement

879: The AI Pilot Phase is Over: How to Move From AI Investment to Genuine Business Impact W/ Joseph Postiglione, Sr. 17.08.2026 28min

"If you're not completely sure about what you want to try to achieve, how will you know you ever achieved it?" - Joseph Postiglione, Sr., Author, Protecting Expected Outcomes in the Age of AI AI investments are accelerating, but many organizations are still struggling to turn promising pilots into the business outcomes they expected. The technology may work as intended, but the original business case can quickly get lost once implementation begins. In this episode, Philip Ideson welcomes back Joseph Postiglione, author of Protecting Expected Outcomes in the Age of AI: Why AI Implementation Must Evolve - And the Emergence of Commercial Control. Drawing on his experience in management consulting and procurement, Joseph explains why organizations need to be more intentional about defining, monitoring, and protecting the outcomes behind their AI investments. Joseph introduces the concept of "commercial control" as a complement to traditional technology implementation methodologies. He and Philip explore what it takes to build stronger business cases, why efficiency gains need a clear plan for how freed capacity will create value, and how AI itself could help organizations identify when expected outcomes begin to drift. They also discuss an important opportunity for procurement: bringing their commercial expertise into enterprise-wide AI investments and helping the business connect technology decisions to measurable results. In this episode, Joseph discusses how to: -Define expected outcomes before an AI implementation begins -Build business cases that go beyond savings and efficiency metrics -Monitor performance and identify why expected outcomes are drifting -Use commercial control to create earlier opportunities to intervene and adjust -Position procurement as a valuable contributor to enterprise technology investments -Turn stronger AI implementation discipline into a source of competitive advantage Links: Joseph Postiglione on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joepostiglione/ Subscribe to the AOP Newsletter: https://resources.artofprocurement.com/art-of-procurement-podcast-subscribe Subscribe to Art of Procurement on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ArtofProcurement

EP 13: Making Sense of the Procuretech Landscape: Practical Insights for CPOs W/ Samir Khushalani 12.08.2026 29min

"The biggest risk today is not making the wrong AI decision. It is making no decision at all while everyone else is learning." Samir Khushalani, Senior Advisor, Art of Procurement Procurement leaders now face more technology choices than ever, with new AI-enabled solutions emerging constantly. In this environment, picking the right tools can be overwhelming, and procurement often struggles with knowing where to start, how to avoid analysis paralysis, and ensuring their tech choices drive real business outcomes. In this episode, Philip Ideson speaks with Samir Khushalani, Art of Procurement Senior Advisor and a former McKinsey digital procurement leader. Samir has guided Fortune 500 companies and is helping to shape the ProcureTech100, the industry's top guide to procurement technology. He breaks down how to navigate a fragmented market, balance risk and urgency, and scale impact without getting stuck in "pilot purgatory." In this episode, Samir covers how to: -Take practical steps to avoid technology indecision -Identify true AI-native solutions versus "AI-wrapped" legacy tools -Partner with providers who aim for business impact, not just automation -Build a flexible procurement tech stack for lasting competitiveness Links: Samir Khushalani on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samirkhushalani/ Art of Procurement Welcomes Samir Khushalani as Senior Advisor: https://artofprocurement.com/blog/blog-art-of-procurement-welcomes-samir-khushalani-as-senior-advisor Download the 2025-26 ProcureTech100 Yearbook: https://artofprocurement.com/procuretech100-2026 Subscribe to the AOP Newsletter: https://resources.artofprocurement.com/art-of-procurement-podcast-subscribe Subscribe to Art of Procurement on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ArtofProcurement

878: Building Procurement as a Strategic Growth Engine W/ Travis Hodge 10.08.2026 36min

"Procurement's future is bright, when we continue to do it the right way for the right reasons." - Travis Hodge, Director of Enterprise Sourcing & Procurement at nVent Procurement is no longer just a back-office function. As business models shift and digital transformation accelerates, procurement leaders face more pressure (and more opportunities) than ever to become true business partners. Supplier experience, strategic talent, and AI-enabled efficiency are fast becoming the new playbook for teams aiming to drive results in hyperscale markets. This episode features Travis Hodge, Director of Enterprise Sourcing and Procurement at nVent, who shares how his organization is reinventing both its processes and culture to keep pace with customer needs and rapid growth. Recorded at Ivalua's 'Procurement Innovation on Tour' Summit in Chicago, Travis offers candid insights on supplier segmentation, why executive sponsorship matters, and the operational and emotional impact of genuine employee engagement. His approach starts with treating suppliers as partners and ensuring procurement is measured not just on savings, but on real business value delivered in order to position procurement as a growth engine. In this episode, Travis discusses: -Reframe supplier experience as a cornerstone of transformation and value -Leverage executive sponsorship to unlock strategic change -Connect AI, automation, and data strategy to tangible business outcomes -Prioritize employee experience as a real differentiator Links: Travis Hodge on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travis-hodge-phd-612139125/ Procurement Innovation on Tour: https://www.ivalua.com/procurement-innovation-on-tour/ Subscribe to the AOP Newsletter: https://resources.artofprocurement.com/art-of-procurement-podcast-subscribe Subscribe to Art of Procurement on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ArtofProcurement

877: Building Trust for Digital Supply Chain Success W/ Mohit Ahuja 03.08.2026 28min

"Visibility is not the end goal. The end goal is how does that visibility enable me to make a quick decision." - Mohit Ahuja, Strategy & Transformation Leader, Caterpillar Business leaders can no longer afford to think about digital procurement as "plug and play." This is especially true in manufacturing, where the risks of disruption run deep. Legacy systems, change-weary teams, and rapid-fire market shifts all raise the stakes for today's CPOs. In this episode, Mohit Ahuja, a strategy and transformation leader at Caterpillar, shares what it takes to navigate these challenges. Drawing on over 16 years across engineering, supply chain, and operations, Mohit offers candid stories and actionable strategies for moving the needle on digital transformation without leaving people behind. Whether you're wrestling with technical debt, siloed teams, or cultural resistance, this episode delivers perspective for CPOs and procurement professionals trying to drive lasting impact. In this episode, Mohit covers how procurement can: -Move from reactive to proactive and enable real-time, predictive risk management -Build trust on the shop floor by practicing adaptive leadership -Focus on early, low-risk wins to build momentum for transformation -Shift from cost minimization to resilience as a core procurement goal Links: Mohit Ahuja on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mohit--ahuja/ Subscribe to the AOP Newsletter: https://resources.artofprocurement.com/art-of-procurement-podcast-subscribe Subscribe to Art of Procurement on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ArtofProcurement

EP 12: Provider of the Week: Una 29.07.2026 33min

"It's amazing how you can rise to the top just by doing what you say you're going to do and being honest about what you can't do." - Anthony Clervi, Managing Partner, Una Procurement teams today are under intense pressure to deliver savings, manage risk, and do more with less… all while digital transformation reshapes the landscape. For many, group purchasing organizations (GPOs) sound good on paper, but open questions about control and fit. What does it take to find a true partner in this space? In this Provider of the Week episode, Anthony Clervi, Managing Partner at Una, joins us to break down what's changed in indirect spend and what CPOs should look for in a partner. From the "dietician, not the butcher" mindset to embracing AI and ongoing alignment, Anthony shares why a consultative, agile approach beats one-size-fits-all solutions. In this episode, Anthony covers: -How GPOs balance speed, savings, and transparency -When to bring in partners like Una (and why earlier is better) -Ways to adapt GPO services to your team's resource and maturity levels -How ongoing supplier alignment drives long-term value -Why a human, empathy-first approach matters now more than ever Links: Anthony Clervi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonyclervi/ Provider Profile: Una: https://artofprocurement.com/provider-directory/una Subscribe to the AOP Newsletter: https://resources.artofprocurement.com/art-of-procurement-podcast-subscribe Subscribe to Art of Procurement on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ArtofProcurement

876: AI with Purpose: Designing Procurement's Next Chapter W/ Gaël De Martelaere 27.07.2026 41min

"If you build AI on top of weak foundations, you're going to have a very broken system." - Gaël De Martelaere, Chief Procurement Officer, Hexion AI is driving enormous change in procurement, but success relies on more than just new tools. The real challenge is rebuilding the foundations (data, process, and team mindsets) while still delivering results for the business today. In this episode, Gaël De Martelaere, CPO at Hexion, joins Philip Ideson to share how his team is moving beyond traditional procurement and redefining value for both customers and stakeholders. Gaël brings decades of experience, a healthy dose of curiosity, and a pragmatic focus on experimentation, not perfection. In this episode, Gaël also speaks about: -Transforming procurement to support broader business reinvention -Rebuilding foundational processes with AI in mind -Building digital fluency and accountability at every level -Focusing on experimentation over multi-year perfection plans -Why curiosity and sound judgment matter now more than ever Links: Gaël De Martelaere on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gaeldemartelaere/ Subscribe to the AOP Newsletter: https://resources.artofprocurement.com/art-of-procurement-podcast-subscribe Subscribe to Art of Procurement on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ArtofProcurement

875: How to Transform Every Procurement Partnership W/ Kate Vitasek 20.07.2026 47min

"When you have a great partnership, the value that you can create is unbelievable if you know how to do it." - Kate Vitasek Despite the best intentions, nearly 70% of business partnerships unravel within three years. Why is it so difficult to build relationships that deliver value, and what are the practical steps procurement leaders can take to break the cycle? Kate Vitasek, pioneering researcher and author of the Vested series of books, joins host Philip Ideson to share hard-won lessons from decades in the field. Her new book, The Vested Way: Five Rules for Achieving the Impossible, offers a flexible set of principles that work for deals of any size, in any industry. These stories (from Fortune 500 cases to community partnerships) reveal what really makes collaboration succeed… or stall. Whether you're negotiating your next billion-dollar outsourcing contract or building a local alliance, Kate's Vested rules can help you unlock real, lasting value. In this episode, Kate covers: -Why partnerships fail and how you can avoid the common traps -How to apply the five rules for outcome-focused, trust-based partnerships -Measuring and managing cultural fit, even when there are big gaps -Using automation to support (not replace) strategic relationships -Moving your team from buying transactions to architecting business outcomes Links: Kate Vitasek on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katevitasek/ The Vested Way: Five Rules for Achieving the Impossible: https://a.co/d/09An1hNu Subscribe to the AOP Newsletter: https://resources.artofprocurement.com/art-of-procurement-podcast-subscribe Subscribe to Art of Procurement on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ArtofProcurement

EP 11: Provider of the Week: Valdera 15.07.2026 24min

Chemical procurement's complexity isn't news, but the pace of change – and risk – is climbing fast. With AI sweeping through every corner of the business, leaders charged with sourcing chemicals and raw materials have reached a fork in the road: modernize, or fall behind. Dheev Arulmani, COO and co-founder of Valdera, brings deep chemical and consulting experience to this Provider of the Week episode of the ProcureTech Insider podcast. He shares how Valdera's AI-powered sourcing platform is transforming the end-to-end procurement workflow, empowering both seasoned category managers and less specialized teams to deliver better costs, reduced risk, and faster innovation. If you want practical advice on what "AI-native" procurement looks like in chemicals and where the value is proven, this is an episode to queue up. In this episode, Dheev discusses: -Why "one size fits all" tech rarely delivers for chemical sourcing -How to equip non-specialists to manage sophisticated materials at scale -Digitizing high-impact steps like spec-sheet mapping, tariff estimates, and supplier feedback -How to move quickly by starting small (then expand after proving ROI) -Balancing cost, resilience, and innovation to drive measurable outcomes

874: Building Resilience Beyond Tier One: Hard Truths About Risk and Visibility W/ Harald Nitschinger 13.07.2026 37min

"Resilience doesn't mean a supply chain that doesn't see risk. That's impossible. It means setting yourself up to withstand shocks and disruptions." - Harald Nitschinger, Co-founder and CEO, Prewave Today's supply chains operate in a world of constant shocks, but the risks that matter most rarely show up on procurement's tier one dashboard. Often, the real trouble is buried further downstream, so procurement leaders have to redefine how and where resilience is built and risk is monitored. In this episode, host Philip Ideson speaks with Harald Nitschinger, CEO and Co-founder of Prewave. Harald's team helps some of the world's largest manufacturers map and monitor their supply chains beyond what's visible, harnessing AI and public data to reveal risks buried at tier two, three, and beyond. His insights are especially pertinent for procurement teams wrestling with supply chain visibility or struggling to connect risk data to executive business cases. Harald also shares real-world strategies for unlocking upstream visibility, making the business case for resilience investments, and building an operating model that actually responds when risk hits. In this episode, Phil and Harald discuss: -Surfacing hidden supplier risks using public data and intelligent mapping -Leveraging supply chain transparency in supplier qualification and negotiations -Identifying and monitoring bottlenecks in categories like semiconductors and rare earths -Tying risk scenarios to hard financial impact for practical resilience investments Links: Harald Nitschinger on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harald-nitschinger-88488280/ Prewave company profile in the AOP Provider Directory: https://artofprocurement.com/provider-directory/prewave Subscribe to the AOP Newsletter: https://resources.artofprocurement.com/art-of-procurement-podcast-subscribe Subscribe to Art of Procurement on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ArtofProcurement

873: Creating Capacity for Complex Problem Solving W/ Israel Santiesteban 06.07.2026 39min

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

EP 10: Supplier Management as a Connected Discipline W/ Jesse Lee 01.07.2026 31min

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

872: Beyond Automation: Accelerating Agentic AI Transformation in Procurement W/ Vishal Patel 29.06.2026 28min

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

871: The New Rules of Procurement Leadership W/ Gary Mizhir 22.06.2026 46min

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

EP 09: Provider of the Week: ProcureAbility 17.06.2026 25min

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

870: Managing the New Spend Frontier: AI Tokens in Procurement W/ Jon Winsett 15.06.2026 45min

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

869: The Modern Operating Model: Building a Lean, High-Value Procurement Team W/ Stephen Rauf 08.06.2026 41min

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

EP 08: Startup of the Week: Suplari W/ Jeff Gerber 03.06.2026 24min

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

868: Catalyst SFO: (Re)Designing Procurement for an Agentic World W/ Christine Moore and Joe Postiglione Sr. 01.06.2026 28min

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

BTW EP 32: The Final Phil-Ins: Closing One Door, Opening Another 27.05.2026 43min

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

867: Building Bridges Between Procurement and the Business W/ Brad DeHart 25.05.2026 34min

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

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