Why Data and AI are Essential to Procurement Maturity

McKinsey estimates that US$500bn in inefficiency remains locked in procurement processes worldwide — inefficiencies that AI and automation can release.

Traditional, control-focused procurement limits agility and resilience, especially in today's complex global trade environment.

To capture value from AI, organisations need a cohesive strategy rather than isolated experiments. Successful AI initiatives show measurable financial impact – for instance, by detecting fraud, assessing supplier risk, reducing invoice errors and uncovering hidden savings.

Without clear ROI, AI projects risk losing support, leaving companies at a competitive disadvantage.

The key is to embed AI throughout spend management – before, during and after spending – to create a self-improving system that continuously drives efficiency and insight. This evolution enables the rise of autonomous spend management networks, where AI agents handle sourcing, contracting and payments, freeing humans for strategic, revenue-generating work.

From reactive to strategic: Procurement maturity

Coupa’s maturity model guides organisations through their procurement development. Stage one focuses on the basics of buying, ordering and invoice processing, with procurement largely reactive and transaction-driven.

The primary value at this stage is improved spend visibility and the standardisation of core processes. By stage four, procurement operates as a strategic partner, driving innovation, resilience and sustainability across the business. Advanced digital tools and AI are used to optimise value, manage risk and co-innovate with suppliers across the ecosystem.

As the year draws to a close, leaders have an ideal opportunity to review their procurement strategy and ask a simple question: is it ready to hit the ground running or still stuck in 2025?

Coupa's upcoming webinar, Procurement Maturity: How Data and AI can Accelerate the Path to Autonomous Spend, will serve as an in-depth examination of the aforementioned topics.

To register, click here.

Setting the strategy

For those who wish to make the leap to AI-driven, autonomous spend management that actively makes margins multiply, an exclusive webinar from Coupa could provide the perfect platform.

Taking place from 3pm (GMT) on 14 January, this high-impact kick-off session is designed to set the strategy for the year ahead.

Attendees will hear real-world stories of modernisation and growth during a conversational Q&A moderated by Tricia Miller, SVP Product Marketing and Chief Evangelist at Coupa. 

Meet the speakers

Tricia will be joined by two procurement leaders who have translated the maturity framework into tangible success: Brian Getz, Procurement Manager, P2P Lead at Asplundh Tree Expert and Nancy Rink, Director of Procurement at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Brian Getz, Procurement Manager, P2P Lead at Asplundh Tree Expert

Brian Getz is a strategic procurement leader who specialises in transforming procurement operations through technology and innovation.

As Procurement Manager and Procure-to-Pay Lead at Asplundh Tree Expert, he combines deep technical expertise in Coupa BSM with a strategic approach to procurement that delivers measurable organisational value.

Throughout his career, Brian has led high-impact initiatives that bridge procurement strategy and technology implementation. His accomplishments include orchestrating a comprehensive supplier enablement transformation through Coupa SIM that strengthened supplier relationships and collaboration, and designing customised fleet asset acquisition solutions that enhanced procurement efficiency across the organisation.

He has also led the technical implementation of a fleet rental solution that significantly improved operational efficiency and cost management.

Brian is passionate about leveraging technology to solve complex business problems and create value through optimised procurement operations, supplier enablement and strategic spend management.

Nancy Rink, MBA, Director of Procurement at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

Nancy Rink is an accomplished procurement and business operations leader with a proven track record of delivering results across diverse industries.

As Director of Procurement at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, she brings extensive expertise in strategic sourcing, operations management and financial leadership to support the organisation's life-saving mission.

Throughout her distinguished career, Nancy has demonstrated exceptional ability to drive organisational success at industry-leading companies including Deloitte & Touché, Bank of America, Standard & Poor's/McGraw Hill and Technicolor/Moving Picture Company. Her history of fast-track promotions reflects her strategic acumen, operational excellence and ability to create value in complex business environments.

Nancy is committed to leveraging her extensive background in business operations and procurement to drive efficiency, innovation and strategic value in support of organisational goals.

To sign up for the webinar, click here.