Jabil and Procurement Magazine Host Executive Chicago Dinner

Before things got officially under way at Procurement and Supply Chain LIVE: The US Summit, Procurement Magazine hosted an Executive Dinner in association with Jabil Procurement and Supply Chain Services. The event brought together a collection of leaders from a range of leading sectors who discussed the realities shaping the industry in 2026.

It kicked off with a drinks reception where people started exploring similar challenges across global organisations. Attendees included CPOs, supply chain leaders and senior decision-makers responsible for managing cost, risk and supplier performance at scale.

Peter Koehler, Senior Director, Procurement at VYTALOGY, says: “I really enjoyed attending Procurement Magazine’s Executive Dinner with Jabil Procurement and Supply Chain Services at Boka. The restaurant offered an outstanding dining experience, and the evening was made even better by engaging, thoughtful conversations with fellow procurement leaders.

"It was a great opportunity to connect, share insights, and build meaningful relationships in a relaxed and welcoming setting. Thank you for the opportunity to attend.”

Strategic shifts in a volatile landscape

The discussion reflected a clear shift in the role of procurement. Leaders, who are operating under increasing pressure, touched on a number of challenges they are addressing, including:

• Managing ongoing cost volatility
• Maintaining supply continuity
• Responding to supplier instability
• Delivering measurable impact at board level

These challenges are no longer isolated. They are interconnected, requiring a more strategic and integrated approach.

Balancing cost with organisational resilience

Cost pressure remains constant. However, leaders emphasised that cost reduction cannot come at the expense of resilience. As guests took their seats to enjoy a curated menu at Boka in Chicago, the focus shifted towards smarter sourcing strategies, looking at better cost-to-serve visibility and long-term supplier value rather than short-term savings.

Dennis Evashenk, Consultancy, Mettle Capital Management (Former DoorDash), adds: “The dinner was an exceptional opportunity to connect with Procurement Magazine all-stars and leading industry professionals from across Chicago and the broader region.

"The event was impeccably organised, with strong attention to detail by the staff. It also provided a valuable chance to engage with procurement leaders in the area who are typically based remotely.”

As global supplier networks continue to face disruption, attendees discussed the need for stronger supplier relationships, improved risk visibility and more proactive planning. There was clear agreement that reactive approaches are no longer sufficient.

With procurement functions dealing with increasing operational complexity across regions and categories, leaders highlighted the importance of integrated planning, cross-functional collaboration and data-driven decision-making. The ability to manage complexity is becoming a defining factor in procurement performance.

Beyond the day-to-day: Driving business value

Procurement has transcended its traditional operational roots, evolving into a strategic powerhouse expected to deliver tangible business value through revenue protection, cost optimisation with minimal disruption and high-level input on corporate decisions. This shift towards strategic leadership is often best supported by executive dinners such as this.

By prioritising smaller, private gatherings over large-scale formal events, organisations can foster high-quality, focused discussions and direct peer-to-peer engagement. Ultimately, these curated environments facilitate deeper relationship building and the kind of honest, practical dialogue that is essential for navigating the complexities of the modern industry.

Jarek Adamkiewicz, Supply Chain Director, Blachford Acoustics Group, says: “It was a valuable opportunity to step away from the day-to-day and build real, human connections with fellow supply chain executives. The conversations were candid, practical, and grounded in real challenges, the kind of dialogue that sharpens thinking and drives better decisions.”

Sharing perspectives over an excellent meal in a great setting made it easy to move beyond surface-level networking and form meaningful relationships that will last well beyond the event.

Hosted by Jabil Procurement and Supply Chain Services’ procurement leadership

The discussion was guided by senior leaders from Jabil Procurement and Supply Chain Services, including:

• Graham Scott, Chief Procurement Officer
• Frank McKay, Chief Supply Chain Officer
• Jeff Austin, VP of Procurement and Supply Chain Services
• Kay Stanish, Sr. Director of Strategy and GTM Operations

Their experience in managing complex global supply chains provided valuable context and insight throughout the evening.

While the Chicago dinner was conducted behind closed doors, the themes explored reflect the universal challenges defining the procurement landscape in 2026, such as persistent cost pressures, supplier instability and rising operational complexity. These events serve as a vital platform for leaders to challenge assumptions and identify practical solutions, a need clearly validated by the Chicago dinner’s success; despite a target of 6–8 delegates, the event secured nine senior attendees operating at the heart of global supply chain complexity.

This high level of engagement underscores a growing demand for private, senior-level forums where focused, peer-led conversations can take place. As procurement leaders face intensifying professional pressure, Procurement Magazine remains committed to curating these exclusive environments to drive the meaningful connections and high-value insights necessary for navigating the future.

Jarek adds: “I’d like to thank the BizClick team for the invitation to this week’s executive dinner in Boka, Chicago, on the sidelines of Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE: The US Summit, hosted alongside Jabil Procurement and Supply Chain Services.

“It was a valuable opportunity to step away from the day-to-day and build real, human connections with fellow supply chain executives. The conversations were candid, practical and grounded in real challenges—the kind of dialogue that sharpens thinking and drives better decisions.

“Sharing perspectives over an excellent meal in a great setting made it easy to move beyond surface-level networking and form meaningful relationships that will last well beyond the event”

“A special thank you to Jabil Procurement and Supply Chain Services' Frank McKay, Senior Vice President and Chief Supply Chain Officer for being an outstanding host and creating an environment that encouraged open, engaging discussion, as well as other executives and participants for the insightful conversations.”

Want access to senior procurement decision-makers? Get in touch to host your own executive dinner with Procurement Magazine.