The Global Procurement Podcast

Episoade

• 
  Ep.16 | Why Humans Bring the Real Value in AI Application 05.08.2026 23min

  Procurement's AI journey has moved through curiosity and experimentation. Now comes the hard part. John Frank, Chief Customer Officer at Coupa, joins host Aaron McMillan live from Coupa Inspire in Las Vegas to explain what enterprise-scale AI deployment actually demands, why agentic AI shifts accountability in ways that require new governance frameworks and what the procurement function looks like when agents handle the routine and humans handle the judgment calls.Expect an honest conversation about human-centred leadership, procurement transformation, supply chain resilience, learning through failure and the importance of celebrating success.
• 
  Ep. 15 | Why Great Procurement Begins Beyond the Desk 29.07.2026 35min

  Amey Fairbrother is clear: the best procurement decisions don’t happen behind a desk or shut away in the office. Instead, they come when leaders focus on understanding people, operations and customers on the shop floor.In this episode of the Procurement Podcast, host Aaron McMillan discusses this philosophy with Amey, Head of Procurement at Parkdean Resorts.Having built her career across hospitality and procurement, Amey explains why procurement professionals should experience the businesses they support first-hand, why supplier relationships should be built around customer outcomes and why curiosity remains one of the profession's most valuable skills.Expect an honest discussion on operational understanding, stakeholder collaboration, supplier partnerships and the leadership qualities that are essential for procurement teams wanting to create value beyond cost savings.
• 
  Ep. 14 | Why The Shop Floor Shapes Better Procurement Leaders 22.07.2026 34min

  From the Peugeot assembly line in Coventry to leading nearly US$1bn in global spend across six continents, Damien Huppert has built a career on operational understanding, trust and saying yes. This week, he joins host Aaron McMillan to discuss supplier relationships, procurement transformation, the misconception that it's all about price and why AI is only as good as the strategy behind it. Drawing on a hugely successful career, Damian shares the principles that have defined his leadership – and what he teaches the next generation at Toulouse Business School.
• 
  Ep. 13 | Coupa & AWS Takeover Special: The Future of AI-Driven Procurement 15.07.2026 24min

  No host. No script. Just two of procurement technology's biggest leaders with a lot to say about the future of the function. This week, Greg Harbor of Coupa and Chinmay Joshi of AWS take over the Procurement Podcast live from Coupa Inspire to discuss AI agents, Coupa's $10tn spend dataset and why interoperability will define the next era of enterprise technology. From 163 agents built in a single day to real traction across banking, manufacturing and higher education, this is one of the more grounded AI conversations you'll hear this year.
• 
  Ep. 12 | Why Curiosity is Procurement's Greatest Advantage 08.07.2026 28min

  AI will automate the admin. What it can't replace is curiosity. Ben Terry, Chief Procurement Officer at evoke, joins host Aaron McMillan to discuss how procurement can become a genuine commercial partner, why chameleon-like adaptability matters more than ever, and what gets lost if the entry-level steps disappear. After nearly two decades across music, gaming retail and betting Ben has seen procurement from every angle.
• 
  Ep.11 | Are Super Agents Procurement's Future? Zip's Felix Meng Explains 01.07.2026 33min

  Super agents can think, plan and execute complex procurement tasks without human intervention. So what does that mean for procurement teams? Felix Meng, Co-Founder of Zip, joins host Matt High live from DPW New York to discuss the next stage of AI in procurement, why governance is the foundation that makes it work, and what the function looks like on the other side of this transformation.Join us for half an hour of high-energy, fast-paced procurement chat with straight from New York.
• 
  Ep 10 | Why Procurement Must Recode for AI with Matthias Gutzmann 24.06.2026 25min

  Is your procurement function ready for AI, or just ready to look like it is? DPW Founder Matthias Gutzmann joins host Matt High live from New York to discuss Recode, DPW's boldest theme yet, and why real AI transformation means rebuilding procurement from the ground up, not layering technology onto outdated processes. From the thinking behind the theme to the investment reshaping the industry, Matthias makes a compelling case for why optimisation isn't enough anymore.
• 
  Episode 9 | Is Procurement Ready for AI and What Comes Next? With Nils Windahl 17.06.2026 32min

  In fast-scaling tech organisations, how does procurement maintain control without becoming the bottleneck? Nils Windahl, Director of Group Procurement at Sinch, joins Aaron McMillan to answer this question.In this episode they discuss how the CPO role has evolved well beyond cost-cutting and what procurement leaders need to do next.Nils covers why AI won't fix broken processes, how to shift procurement's reputation from blocker to business partner and why critical thinking is now the most important skill in the function.Key takeaways: communicate early and often, challenge what AI tells you and never mistake a supporting function for a passive one.
• 
  Episode 8 | Procurement Podcast: Procurement as a Strategic Enabler with Hiten Parmar 10.06.2026 32min

  In this episode of the Procurement Magazine Podcast, host Aaron McMillan sits down with Hiten Parmar, Chief Procurement Officer at Beazley, to explore his remarkable 25-year career spanning Reuters, UBS, HSBC, and GSK. Hiten shares his vision for procurement as a true strategic enabler, discussing the importance of breaking free from legacy thinking, speaking the language of the boardroom and harnessing AI and data to drive real business growth. It’s a must-listen for anyone looking to elevate their procurement game and add measurable strategic value.
• 
  Episode 7 | Procurement Podcast: 30+ Years of Sourcing Strategy with Mahbub Chowdhury 03.06.2026 34min

  In this episode of the Procurement Magazine Podcast, host Aaron McMillan sits down with seasoned procurement executive Mahbub Chowdhury to unpack his incredible three-decade journey through the industry. From his accidental start as a finance graduate dealing with inventory control variances to leading strategic procurement at Citibank, Mahbub shares invaluable lessons on how the profession has evolved from simple "buying" to a core business driver.
• 
  Episode 6 | Procurement Podcast: Radian's Peter Sharoff on AI Strategy 27.05.2026 29min

  In this episode of Procurement Podcast, Peter Sharoff Strategic Sourcing Lead at Radian breaks down his philosophy of managing procurement as a "dual-mode" function. He argues that procurement leaders must balance two distinct speeds: a fast, customer-service-oriented track for low-risk, low-value requests, and a more deliberate, relationship-driven track for high-value strategic sourcing. The key to avoiding organisational friction is alignment; horror stories of businesses complaining about procurement usually stem from a fundamental disconnect between what the function is trying to enforce and what the business actually needs to move forward. Cost optimisation strategies without compromising service quality or innovation.
• 
  Episode 5 | Procurement Podcast: Mathias Grünewald on AI and Leadership 20.05.2026 30min

  In this episode of the Procurement Magazine podcast, host Aaron McMillan sits down with Mathias Grünewald, a seasoned procurement leader with over 30 years of experience. Mathias shares insights from his extensive career at Merck Group—where he rose from a team leader to Chief Procurement Officer for electronics—and discusses his current work in procurement transformation at Susonity.
• 
  Episode 4 | Procurement Podcast: British Council's Andrew Swift on AI 13.05.2026 32min

  In this episode, host Aaron McMillan sits down with global procurement expert Andrew Swift to dissect the evolving landscape of public sector sourcing. Far from being a mere back-office function, modern procurement has become a high-stakes lever for organizational influence and international diplomacy.From navigating the rigid requirements of compliance to driving measurable global impact, Aaron and Andrew explore how leaders can transform decentralized supply chains into cohesive engines for change.
• 
  Episode 3 | Procurement Podcast: Celebrating Excellence in Procurement 06.05.2026 28min

  Host Aaron McMillan talks about redefining procurement excellence through innovation, influence, and value creation beyond cost savingsBuilding high-performance procurement cultures that drive enterprise-wide transformation.The role of “curiosity-led leadership” in modern procurement strategy and decision-making.How procurement leaders can elevate visibility and impact at board levelFuture-facing procurement: embedding agility, resilience, and continuous improvement into operating models.
• 
  Dennis Evashenk on AI, Trust & SaaS 29.04.2026 22min

  Join our host Aaron McMillan as he speaks with Dennis Evashenk, Global Strategic Sourcing & Category Manager for Corporate Services & SaaS at DoorDash. Drawing on a career that spans nonprofit transformation, international operations, global sourcing, and leadership roles across major organisations, Evashenk offers a grounded perspective on how procurement leaders can reposition themselves as strategic business partners in an increasingly complex world.
• 
  Procurement Podcast: Cost, Risk & Value with Man Industries 22.04.2026 26min

  Manish Lunker, President of Group Procurement & Strategy at Man Industries India, joins Episode 1 of Procurement Magazine’s Weekly Podcast Series to discuss strategy.Procurement is undergoing a significant transformation, and the first episode of Procurement Magazine’s Weekly Podcast Series captures that shift through a candid and wide-ranging conversation.In Episode 1, titled “The Real Cost Does Not Include What You Paid”, host Aaron McMillan speaks with Manish Lunker, President of Group Procurement and Strategy at Man Industries India. With more than 30 years of experience across steel, infrastructure, and global supply chains, Lunker brings a grounded perspective on how procurement is changing in practice, not just in theory.Rather than focusing solely on cost reduction, the discussion explores how procurement leaders are now expected to think more broadly about value. Lunker explains how decisions that once centred on price are increasingly shaped by risk, supply continuity, and long-term business stability. This shift reflects the growing importance of procurement as a strategic function within organisations.A key thread throughout the episode is the reality of operating in uncertain and volatile markets. From fluctuations in raw material prices to ongoing global supply chain disruption, Lunker discusses how these pressures are forcing companies to rethink supplier relationships and sourcing strategies. He also shares how resilience is now being weighed alongside cost in day-to-day procurement decisions.The conversation naturally moves into how global sourcing models are evolving. Lunker highlights how many organisations are rebalancing their supply chains through regionalisation strategies, including approaches such as China Plus One. These changes are not just about diversification, but about building more predictable and flexible supply networks.Sustainability also comes into focus as part of this broader shift. Rather than being treated as a standalone agenda, ESG considerations are increasingly embedded into procurement decisions, influencing how suppliers are evaluated and selected.Technology is another important part of the discussion, particularly the growing use of data, AI, and predictive tools. Lunker talks about how these capabilities are helping procurement teams move towards more informed and forward-looking decision-making, rather than relying purely on historical patterns or reactive sourcing.The episode closes on the future of the profession itself, with a focus on the evolving skill set required for procurement leaders. Lunker points to a blend of analytical capability, commercial awareness, and cultural understanding as essential for navigating increasingly complex global supply chains.Overall, the episode offers a grounded and practical look at how procurement is being redefined in real time, and what that means for businesses trying to balance cost, risk, and long-term value.Listen to Episode 1, “The Real Cost Does Not Include What You Paid”, now on Procurement Magazine’s Weekly Podcast Series.