2025 – The Great Reset

2025 is the year procurement breaks out of its echo chamber. If the past decade was about proving our strategic value, this is the year we cement it. Forget cost-cutting as the only KPI – our real value lies in creating ecosystems of innovation, resilience, and sustainability.

Here’s the reality check: Markets are volatile, supply chains are under pressure, and technology is rewriting the rules daily. If you’re not adapting, you’re already behind. Let’s talk about how to lead procurement transformations that matter.

Maverick spending isn’t just an operational hiccup – it’s a direct hit to your bottom line. In my recent roles, we reduced maverick spend by over 40% in under 18 months. How? By embedding Source-to-Pay (S2P) systems with teeth.

💡 Don’t just implement digital tools – drive adoption by tying system usage to clear incentives or penalties. Engage cross-functional teams from day one and bake the system into their workflows, not just procurement’s.

But tech alone isn’t enough. If decisions happen in silos, the game is lost. Build bridges between procurement, finance, and operations. When these functions align, efficiency skyrockets.

AI isn’t the future – it’s today’s competitive edge. At a Swiss food-tech company, deploying predictive analytics slashed cycle times  significantly while unlocking new value streams. Want to optimize your Category Management? Use AI to forecast demand with near-perfect accuracy.

Blockchain? Sure, it sounds flashy, but its real power lies in supply chain transparency. Whether verifying ethical sourcing in coffee beans or securing data in med-tech, blockchain offers a layer of trust no audit can replicate.

💡 Start small. Use AI to automate mundane tasks (think invoice matching) and scale toward predictive insights. For blockchain, pilot it with high-value, low-risk categories to iron out complexity before rolling out wide-scale.

CEOs and Boards care about sustainability – but procurement owns it. Whether you’re sourcing raw materials or services, we’re the ones shaping the ESG agenda. I’ve driven carbon footprint reductions by 20% through supplier collaborations that go beyond compliance.

💡 Build sustainability KPIs into supplier contracts. It’s not enough to set targets – track and enforce them. Tools like EcoVadis make this practical, giving you real-time performance visibility.

Pro tip: Look beyond Tier 1 suppliers. 70% of your carbon footprint often hides in Tier 2 and 3.

Tech is useless without talent. I’ve built high-performing teams across Europe by focusing on one thing: culture. Forget rigid hierarchies. Build agile, empowered teams that challenge the status quo.

💡 Invest in your people. Upskill them in tech, sure, but also in critical thinking and negotiation. The best procurement professionals are strategists who can connect dots no one else sees.

Procurement is more than savings; it’s about creating measurable value. When I led procurement at a Swiss retailer, we didn’t just save CHF 100 million – we repositioned procurement as a business enabler. We reduced risk, improved supplier partnerships, and drove innovation.

💡 Redefine your KPIs. Move beyond cost savings to include metrics like supplier innovation, speed to market, and ESG impact. Present procurement as a strategic partner, not a tactical function.

2025 demands bold leadership. Ask yourself:

• Is your procurement strategy built for disruption – or stuck in 2015?
• Are you investing in tools that scale – or patching processes with spreadsheets?
• Is your team empowered to lead – or just follow orders?

Procurement isn’t a back-office function anymore – it’s your secret weapon. The question is, are you ready to use it?

Let’s drive the future. Together. Book your free virtual touchpoint now and let’s transform your procurement strategy into a competitive advantage.