Four Takeaways from the Panels at Procurement LIVE Chicago

Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE Chicago brought together the brightest minds across the industry, serving up a host of engaging, enlightening and vital conversations around supply chain resilience, digital transformation, sustainability, risk management, supplier diversity and the future of procurement innovation.

After two action-packed days, delegates left more determined than ever to make meaningful change and enhance their supply chain operations. 

Co-located with Sustainability LIVE, our Chicago event offers a unique opportunity to explore the intersection of sustainability with procurement and supply chain management. 

The triple focus allows for comprehensive networking and collaboration across different sectors, fostering integrated approaches to sustainability.

Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE and Sustainability LIVE Chicago will return in 2026… Subscribe to Procurement Magazine to be the first to know more. 

Continuous and deliberate action

Women in Procurement panel

The message was clear during the Women in Procurement panel – advancing women in procurement requires continuous and deliberate action. 

"We must ensure we're elevating the leadership profile of women,” said Kimberly Green Reynolds, Chief Procurement Officer at Coca-Cola Bottlers'​ Sales and Services.

Structural chance, active sponsorship and inclusive leadership are all critical factors in ensuring women’s voices are heard, their talent is recognised and the next generation doesn’t face the same challenges.

"It's about building credibility because it's not given to you," said Nancy Tiran, Global Head of Commercial Procurement at AstraZeneca. "It takes a village. Be the person in the room that looks for inclusion, anyone can do that."

Time to embrace technology, challenge inaction and build robust data driven frameworks

Spend Management Strategies panel

For those seeking strategic spend management operations, participants in the Spend Management Strategies panel noted key challenges for procurement – rapid technological change, AI adoption and global volatility – all of which demand strategic planning and flexible systems. 

"Everything else is getting automated, so have a plan for how your organisation will play a strategic role,” said Liliya Rechitsky, Sr. Director Category Management and Procurement Operations at Best Buy.

In order to successfully tackle these challenges, organisations must utilise real-time data, develop clear roadmaps and align organisational culture around continuous improvement. 

Leaders should prioritise building cross-functional collaboration, scenario planning capabilities and driving change by example.

"Let's be the wind and not be blown around by the wind,” said Chuck Hatsis, Chief Procurement Officer at CME Group. 

Agentic AI's immense potential to reshape procurement and supply chain

Future of Agentic AI panel

While Agentic AI may be a powerful transformational tool, the technology isn’t without its challenges – those who took part in the Future of Agentic AI panel stress that the technology comes with critical risks, especially around data quality, cybersecurity, ethical frameworks and operational models. 

"Think slow and act fast," advised Bhavik Pathak, Director and Head of Supplier Quality - Americas Region at Alstom. "Don't just follow the trend; use AI effectively with guardrails."

Success requires clear processes, strong governance, human oversight and organisational agility. 

Leaders should prioritise building foundational data capabilities, upskilling teams, establishing guardrails for bias and security and carefully choosing where agentic AI adds value rather than chasing hype.

"We need to make sure humans are in the loop, it's about scaling securely without freezing progress," added Kareem Mohamednur, Principal, Procurement Transformation at PwC. 

Success requires balance between human relationships, organisational alignment and technological capabilities 

Digital Procurement Strategies panel

Members of the Digital Procurement Strategies panel were unanimous in their assessment that, while automation excels in document collection and initial supplier qualification, complex procurement decisions still require human judgment.

Success depends on enterprise-wide alignment and effective change management, especially when suppliers and internal teams are asked to alter entrenched ways of working.

"Technology will help with transactions, but we still need people for relationships,” said Javier Carnevali, CPO at Grupo Herdez.

Mapping decision points to distinguish between those suitable for automation and those requiring human oversight helps clarify boundaries and maintain control without losing efficiency.

"Success still hinges on people, process and technology—change management remains crucial,” continued Eric Larson, Senior Vice President at Avetta.

Essential diary dates for 2025

Discover the essential diary dates for Procurement Magazine and Supply Chain Digital, as well as its sister publications – Manufacturing Digital and Sustainability Magazine.

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• Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE London | 23-24 September 
• The Global Procurement & Supply Chain Awards | 24 September