Why CPOs Should Attend the Indirect Procurement Panel

Indirect spend makes up a massive slice of total business expenditure, yet for many procurement and finance leaders, it remains a financial "black hole". Covering essential daily operations, from IT and marketing to facilities and consultancy, this spending is the oil in the corporate machine.

However, when oversight slips, that machinery does not just slow down; it leaks value.

The Indirect Procurement Playbook panel, in association with Jabil at Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE: The US Summit, will reveal proven strategies for mastering supplier relationships, tightening cost control and driving process efficiency. Discover how to generate strategic value far beyond the traditional limits of direct procurement.

Secure your place now for The US Summit.

Confronting the visibility crisis

According to procurement consultancy Efficio, the majority of CPOs and CFOs admit that more than 25% of their organisation’s indirect spend occurs without any financial oversight. Even more concerning? Only 19% of these leaders feel "fully confident" that they have an accurate picture of where that money is going.

When procurement teams focus exclusively on direct materials, indirect categories often fall through the cracks. This lack of transparency leads to:

• Budgetary blind spots: Overlapping contracts and inconsistent vendor pricing.
• Operational risk: An over-reliance on one-off suppliers.
  
• Maverick spending: Internal teams bypassing official frameworks to place orders directly, undermining the business's ability to leverage its scale.

Mapping the route to operational excellence

For leaders looking to tackle these challenges, The Indirect Procurement Playbook panel, in association with Jabil at Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE: The US Summit, is a vital asset.

The panel will take place on 22 April at 2:15pm. Leaders will explore strategies for optimising indirect spend and supplier relationships – sharing insights on cost control, process efficiency and creating value beyond direct procurement.

Secure your place now for The US Summit.

Senior perspectives from the front line

Leading the discussion is Kurt Shafer, Senior Director of Global Procurement at Jabil. With over a decade of experience in strategic sourcing and operations planning, Kurt has built a career around maximising operational efficiencies and leading transformative procurement strategies.

Kurt says: "I'm looking forward to speaking at P&SC Live Chicago because The Indirect Procurement Playbook panel offers the perfect platform to share practical, experience-led insights with leaders who are shaping the future of procurement."

Meet the speakers

Kurt Shafer, Senior Supply Chain Management Director, Jabil Procurement & Supply Chain Services

Kurt Shafer is a results-driven leader with over a decade of global expertise in strategic sourcing, procurement and Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP). As a Senior Director at Jabil, he specialises in architecting transformative procurement strategies that bridge the gap between complex global demands and operational excellence.

Kurt is defined by a resilient and enthusiastic approach to problem-solving. He is dedicated to driving innovation and positive change, consistently focusing on maximising cost efficiencies and streamlining operations to fuel business success. His career is built on the belief that procurement is not just a back-office function, but a strategic engine for growth.

Patricia Mendoza, Vice President Procurement, Reynolds American

With an extensive career in procurement and supply chain, Patricia spent the first 18 years of her career at BAT. She has gained experience in HR, foreign trade, exports, indirect procurement and more. She is a graduate of Tecnológico de Monterrey and Sciences Po Toulouse.

Amanda Prochaska, Founder & Chief Wonder Officer, Wonder Services

With 21 years of experience driving operational excellence, Amanda Prochaska is a visionary leader at the intersection of procurement transformation and AI implementation. As Founder and Chief Wonder Officer of Wonder Services, she leads a team of practitioners achieving 90%+ adoption rates through proprietary frameworks like ALICE and RAE.

Formerly a transformation leader at MGM Resorts and Kraft-Heinz, Amanda now focuses on making AI accessible and people-centric. A recognised industry "Sourcing Star" and LinkedIn Top Voice, she also founded Global Women Procurement Professionals (GWPP), empowering women to lead in an AI-driven future.

Paul Kranz, Vice President, Indirect Procurement, 3M

Paul Kranz is a distinguished procurement leader with a career spanning over two decades at 3M. Currently serving as Vice President of Indirect Procurement, Paul has navigated a steady ascent through the organisation, previously holding key leadership roles such as Director of US and Canada Sourcing and Sourcing Team Manager for Polymers and Chemicals.

His deep expertise in strategic sourcing and organisational leadership is built on a foundation of technical and operational experience, including prior roles at GE and Kimberly-Clark. Paul holds an MBA in Management from the University of St. Thomas and a BS in Packaging from the University of Wisconsin-Stout, combining academic rigour with a proven track record of driving global sourcing excellence.

Ontonia Hamlin, SVP, Procurement & Real Estate, Real Chemistry

As SVP of Procurement & Real Estate at Real Chemistry, Ontonia Hamlin leads global procurement strategy, vendor partnerships and the company’s real estate footprint, supporting operations across markets. Since joining Real Chemistry more than four years ago, Ontonia has built and leads a centralised procurement team focused on scale, partnership and long‑term value, and has played a pivotal role in the firm’s global expansion and technology readiness. A member of the Procurement Foundry and Chief, Ontonia is a dedicated advocate for women’s leadership, focusing on building resilient, future-ready teams.

Secure your place now for The US Summit.