Sourcing Industry Landscape

In this podcast episode, Dawn Tiura interviews Stan Garber, co-founder and president of Levelpath, discussing the transformative impact of AI on procurement processes. They explore the differences between AI-native solutions and traditional tools, the barriers to AI adoption, and the potential for AI to enhance team collaboration and efficiency. Stan shares insights from his entrepreneurial journey and emphasizes the importance of integrating AI into workflows to achieve significant improvements in productivity.

In this podcast episode, Nari Viswanathan, Senior Director of Supply Chain Strategy at Coupa Software, discusses the evolving landscape of supply chain management, particularly in the context of direct materials and procurement. He emphasizes the need for collaboration between CFOs and CPOs to address the challenges posed by global volatility, risks, and costs. The conversation explores the importance of understanding financial metrics, the role of AI in transforming procurement workflows, and the necessity of creating unified dashboards for better visibility into financial outcomes. Nari also highlights the importance of regularly reviewing supply chain costs and the limitations of traditional ERP systems in managing supply chain complexities.

In this podcast, NPI's Mike Megehee, will share practical frameworks and negotiation strategies that help IT procurement teams make smarter, value-aligned decisions. We'll discuss how to quantify vendor value, use data-driven benchmarks to strengthen your position, and unlock savings that don't compromise performance or partnership quality.

In this conversation, Dawn Tiura speaks with David Wild and Mike Simms, founders of Sivuno - winning company of the SIG Startup Pitch session. They explore how Sivuno is tackling one of procurement's biggest challenges: bad data. David and Mike share how their AI-powered platform rapidly cleanses, structures, and normalizes procurement data, enabling teams to access clearer insights with far less manual effort. The discussion covers the real impact of poor data quality, showcases success stories from early adopters, and highlights how accurate, actionable data can transform procurement decision-making.

In this podcast episode, Lauren Sabat, a senior manager of procurement at REI and winner of the Future of Sourcing Rising Star award, shares her journey into the procurement field, her experiences balancing work and family, and the importance of authenticity and emotional intelligence in her career. She discusses her passion for process improvement and the supportive work environment at REI, highlighting the significance of community and diversity in the workplace.

In this conversation, Dawn Tiura interviews Celeste Anderson, Chief Revenue Officer of Jalasoft, discussing the innovative approach of Jalasoft in developing engineering talent through Jala University. They explore the transition from traditional staff augmentation to managed services, emphasizing the importance of outcomes over headcount. Celeste shares insights on how this shift enhances procurement relationships, the evolution of statement of work, and offers advice for sourcing leaders looking to implement managed services. The discussion highlights the flexibility and commitment of Jalasoft in talent management, showcasing their unique model that benefits both clients and graduates.

If you would like to connect with Celeste Anderson please email at [email protected].

In this conversation, Dawn Tiura and Anders Lillevik, CEO of Focal Point, discuss the evolution of procurement technology, focusing on the transition to AI-powered procurement management. They explore the significance of an AI procurement operating system, its impact on efficiency, and how it can enhance supplier relationships and quarterly business reviews. The discussion highlights the importance of strategic thinking in procurement and the potential ROI from adopting advanced technologies. Here more from Anders Lillevik at the Global Executive Summit in Scottsdale AZ, where he will be presenting, "Chaos to Clarity: Orchestrating Procurement for Strategic Impact."

In this conversation, Dawn Tiura interviews John Winsett, the CEO of NPI, about his upcoming panel discussion at the SIG Summit. They discuss the importance of IT procurement, the challenges faced by CPOs in managing technology stacks, and the diverse expertise of the panelists joining him. The conversation highlights key topics that will be addressed during the session, including vendor management and cost optimization strategies.

In any IT negotiation, what you say (and what you don't) can dramatically shape the outcome. In this episode, NPI CEO Jon Winsett shares how to plan and execute vendor communications that strengthen your negotiation strategy. He covers what information vendors are trying to uncover and how to protect it, how to create productive uncertainty without damaging relationships, and best practices for message ownership, timing, and internal alignment. You'll learn how to balance transparency with control while positioning your organization as a unified, prepared buying team.

In this podcast episode, Dawn Tiura interviews Candiss Kumar, an associate director of strategic sourcing for Wolters Kluwer. Candiss gives a sneak peek into her upcoming Summit session, Building Trust Through Data: The Strategic Sourcing Leader's Guide to Credibility and Compelling Narratives. Candiss shares her insights on the importance of understanding one's business, the role of storytelling in data presentation, and the necessity of curiosity and problem-solving in procurement. The conversation emphasizes the need for sourcing professionals to engage with stakeholders effectively and to present data in a compelling way that drives innovation and decision-making.