Why Procurement Must Become a Profit Centre

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Procurement’s role is changing, or at least, it should be. In this episode of the Sustainable Supply Chain podcast, I sat down with Conrad Snover, CEO of ProcureAbility, to unpack why procurement still struggles to evolve beyond a transactional role, and what it’ll take to transform it into a true driver of value.

We covered a lot, from why most procurement teams still don’t have a seat at the strategy table, to how utilities are coping with 2+ year lead times on transformers while trying to hit electrification targets. Conrad shared real-world examples of how procurement leaders can build resilience without stockpiling inventory, and why relationships, not just contracts, are the key to sustainable supply chains.

We also talked about the path from tactical to strategic to profit-generating procurement, how digital tools (including AI) are shifting the playing field, and the operational basics that still hold too many teams back.

If you’re leading supply chain or sustainability efforts, and you’ve ever been frustrated by the inertia of outdated procurement practices, this episode is well worth your time.

🎧 Listen now to learn:

• Why procurement needs to earn strategic influence, not demand it
• How to balance cost efficiency with supplier reliability and sustainability
• What electrification means for supply chain resilience in utilities and beyond

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