ABX Talk Biggest Challenges Facing Procurement Teams

Held at the iconic London Hilton on Park Lane on 20th June, ABX featured speakers and Amazon Business customers from around the globe discussing the most pressing issues in procurement, including how Amazon Business is helping them thrive in the evolving landscape.

This year’s theme was "Empowering Tomorrow's Business: Efficiency, Resilience, and Innovation."

Key speakers

Senior Amazon leaders such as Fabricio Pedroza, Director, Amazon Business UK, Melissa Essengué, Head of Commercial, France, Amazon Business, and Martin Schueler, Director, Amazon Business EU, delivered keynotes early in the day.

Martin's speech focused on the future of procurement. He discussed navigating the evolving procurement landscape, highlighting how procurement professionals are increasingly focused on smart buying to enhance efficiency, resilience, and innovation.

There was also a fireside chat with Shelley Salomon, Global VP, Amazon Business, where she shared insights, best practices, and essential skills for procurement leaders to thrive in an ever-changing business environment.

Speaking after the event, Shelley said: “This year’s ABX was hugely insightful, packed with invaluable perspectives from our trailblazing speakers on the latest trends and biggest challenges facing the procurement sector. Our customers are at the core of everything we do, and their insights are vital in shaping the future of business buying.

“Some of the most exciting takeaways from the event include the impact of digital transformation, the role of technology, and the realities of ESG in procurement.

"We took a deep dive into how emerging technologies such as AI and ML are transforming procurement processes, resulting in greater efficiency, transparency, and cost savings. This is something I’m truly passionate about, and I can’t wait to see what the next wave of innovation will bring to our industry.”

On the front line of procurement

It was not just Amazon Business executives who spoke; a range of speakers from movie studios to county councils shared their views on the procurement process, covering topics from ESG to the effects of AI on the industry through various customer panels.

Speakers included Richard Carroll, Chief Procurement Officer, Durham County Council; Elizabeth Bordi, Procurement Operations Manager, Sony Pictures Entertainment Group; Scott Hein, Director, Source to Pay, Meta; and Suraj Naik, Group Procurement Director (CPO), Capita PLC.

After the panels, the event’s special guest, Baroness Karren Brady CBE, joined Fabricio for a fireside chat. She shared her inspirational story, strategies for resilience, and advice for navigating uncertainty.

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Procurement Magazine is a BizClik brand

On the front line of procurement

It was not just Amazon Business executives who spoke; a range of speakers from movie studios to county councils shared their views on the procurement process, covering topics from ESG to the effects of AI on the industry through various customer panels.

Speakers included Richard Carroll, Chief Procurement Officer, Durham County Council; Elizabeth Bordi, Procurement Operations Manager, Sony Pictures Entertainment Group; Scott Hein, Director, Source to Pay, Meta; and Suraj Naik, Group Procurement Director (CPO), Capita PLC.

After the panels, the event’s special guest, Baroness Karren Brady CBE, joined Fabricio for a fireside chat. She shared her inspirational story, strategies for resilience, and advice for navigating uncertainty.

******

Make sure you check out the latest edition of Procurement Magazine and also sign up to our global conference series - Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE 2024

******

Procurement Magazine is a BizClik brand