What happens to your job when an AI agent can do 80% of your administrative work for you? In this mini jam session, hosts Conrad Smith and Zachary Bachir have a raw and forward-looking conversation sparked by the release of OpenAI's new agentic browser, Atlas. They explore how this technology will fundamentally change not just how procurement tasks are done, but what procurement professionals will focus on in the future.The hosts predict a massive shift in the skills required to succeed, moving away from operational expertise and toward strategic relationship management.You’ll hear candid views on:

• The Trust Problem: Why would you trust an AI agent to book a flight? The hosts discuss how user adoption will depend on the level of risk and the reversibility of the agent's actions, comparing it to the public's current anxiety about self-driving cars like Waymo.
• Building a "Safety Net" for AI: Conrad draws a parallel to the early days of e-commerce, when credit card companies offered fraud protection as a "safety net" to build consumer trust. He suggests a similar "insurance" model might be needed for AI agents.
• The End of Admin Work: The hosts agree that AI agents are perfect for automating the low-risk administrative tasks that currently consume "80, maybe even 90% of all procurement energy today".
• The "Admin Super User" is at Risk: Conrad makes a bold prediction: if you've built your career on being a "kick-ass administrative operations guy," you may be the most at risk as agents take over that work.
• The Future Role of Procurement: With administrative work gone, what do you do with the "three or four hours a day you get back?". The hosts argue the focus will shift entirely to strategic relationship management with stakeholders and suppliers.
• "Counterfeit" Empathy: A fascinating look at how AI developers are building a "counterfeit" empathy layer into their tools to improve the user experience, and why it works.

Learn more about Atlas at: chatgpt.com/atlas

Veteran CPO Ash Hall joins us to give his practical advice for career progression and leadership in procurement. Ash gives us his playbook on how to navigate career changes, make an impact in a new role, and evolve as a leader. Learn how he used a detailed and actionable framework for his first 90-day plan to transform multiple procurement organizations.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• The 90-Day Playbook: A detailed framework for assessing any new procurement function, broken down into three core pillars: People, Process, and Systems.

• People: How to objectively assess team competencies using a formal, 13-competency test and design an optimal organizational structure aligned with corporate strategy.

• Process: A guide to identifying process gaps and creating a roadmap for standardization and efficiency, especially when there are "20 different ways across the company" to do the same thing.

• Systems: How to prioritize the technology stack, focusing on the foundational needs for data analytics and transactional support.

• Leadership in Action: Learn unique motivational tools like the 'Mission Coin' and the 'Pit Crew' analogy to align your team and demonstrate value to the business.

• The Future of Skills: A CPO's perspective on how AI will impact procurement roles, automating administrative work to free up professionals for more strategic thinking.

Is the traditional RFP a "disgusting," "sloppy," and "painful" process that needs to be retired? In this passionate episode, the Proc & Roll team declares war on the traditional Request for Proposal. Join Natasha, Conrad, and Zach as they break down why the process is broken and empower procurement leaders to "take back control".

In this episode, we cover:

• "Change the Freaking Policy": Why you shouldn't be a victim of your own rules and have the power to change them.

• The "Game Master" Mindset: How to design a sourcing process that actually fits your needs instead of defaulting to a one-size-fits-all RFP.

• The "19-Supplier" Problem: The classic sign that your team hasn't done its homework before going to market.

• Practical Alternatives: Moving beyond the traditional RFP to smarter tools like creative reverse auctions and Proof of Concepts (POCs).

• The "Best RFP Responder" Fallacy: The danger of picking the supplier who is best at filling out paperwork, not the one who is the best partner.

In a tough negotiation, where do you draw the line between a strategic bluff and an unethical lie?

In this episode, Natasha, Conrad, and Zach continue their in-depth exploration of procurement ethics, focusing on the practical, in-the-moment dilemmas of negotiation. The hosts share candidly about their own personal values, the pressures they've faced, and the frameworks they use to make tough calls.

You’ll hear candid views on:

✔️ Bluffing vs. Lying: The hosts debate the fine line between the two, with Natasha warning that you must be prepared to have your bluff called.

✔️ The "Slippery Slope": Conrad's theory that major ethical breaches don't start overnight but begin with small, questionable actions, like with travel expenses, that become normalized over time.

✔️ The "Third Party Test": A practical framework for judging your actions: if a neutral third party were watching you, what would they think your intentions are?

✔️ Personal Values (The Mirror Test): The ultimate conclusion that your long-term reputation and ability to feel good about your actions are more important than any single deal.

✔️ Responding to Unethical Behavior: What to do when a supplier "plays dirty" or, even more difficult, when you observe unethical behavior from a senior leader in your own company.

The conversation on procurement ethics and integrity continues, and this time, the hosts have brought in a special guest: a real "proc star," Ash Hall, former head of procurement at Lincoln Electric and Mercury Systems.

Join Natasha Gurevich, Conrad Smith, and their guest Ash Hall as they dive deep into the practical, "in the trenches" dilemmas of the RFP process. They share candid stories and expert advice on how to build a sourcing process founded on fairness, transparency, and respect.

In this episode, we cover:

• The "Slippery Slope": The hosts discuss how small, seemingly minor unethical habits can become normalized and grow into bigger problems over time.

  
  

• The Unethical RFP: A deep dive into why running a bid when you have no intention of moving off the legacy supplier is disrespectful and can ruin your company's reputation to the point where suppliers refuse to bid.

  
  

• "Respect" as a Core Principle: The idea that being respectful of a supplier's time and effort by running a lean and effective process is a fundamental part of integrity.

  
  

Is your procurement process truly ethical, or are there hidden gray areas you haven't considered? In this episode, the Proc & Roll team tackles the critical and complex topic of ethics and integrity.

Join Natasha Gurevich, Conrad Smith, and Zachary Bachir as they move beyond clear-cut issues like bribery to explore the subtle, everyday dilemmas that professionals face in negotiations, RFPs, and stakeholder management. This is a must-listen for anyone looking to build a stronger personal foundation of integrity in their work.

In this episode, we cover:

• The "continuum of influence": Where to draw the line between a golf outing and a bribe.

  
  

• Internal pressure: How to handle it when a senior leader asks you to "put your finger on the scale" for a favored supplier.

  
  

• The "benchmark bid" dilemma: Why asking suppliers for a quote when you have no real intention of awarding them the business is the "opposite from ethical".

  
  

• Negotiation ethics: Are "white lies" and bluffing acceptable, or can you get a good deal with 100% transparency?

  
  

• The "fourth jet" problem: The ethical questions that arise when one department is pinching pennies while another spends lavishly on things like a private jet.

Procurement reports millions in savings, but does the CFO actually believe the numbers? In this follow-up to our savings discussion, the Proc & Roll team tackles the biggest challenge in procurement: credibility.

Join Natasha Gurevich, Conrad Smith, and Zachary Bachir as they share candid stories and practical strategies for building unshakeable trust with your finance partners. They break down why even the biggest savings numbers fall flat without the right validation and communication, and how to translate procurement "value" into the tangible currency your CFO wants to see.

In this episode, we cover:

• The "wheelbarrow of money" analogy: What the CFO really wants to see from your savings reports.

  
  

• Why the lack of a unified code for defining savings creates confusion and mistrust between CPOs and CFOs.

  
  

• The specific role of Finance as a "validator"—not an approver—to make your numbers "bulletproof".

  
  

• The importance of speaking two languages: talking hard currency with Finance and value with business stakeholders.

  
  

• The challenge of cost avoidance, why it's often treated as a "stepchild" by CFOs, and how to explain its importance for protecting future margins.

  
  

If you’ve ever struggled to get your savings report taken seriously, this episode provides a clear playbook.

It's the proverbial 2 a.m. call from the CFO: "The quarter is bad, I need your team to deliver savings". Do you become the "cost police" and start squeezing suppliers, or do you step up as a strategic partner?

In this episode, Natasha Gurevich, Conrad Smith, and Zach Bachir tackle the "S-word" of procurement. They share a practical playbook for generating real value under pressure, moving beyond simple cost-cutting to strategic leadership. This conversation is for any procurement professional who wants to be prepared before that inevitable call comes.

In this episode, we cover:

• The crucial first step: Understanding the

  real driver behind a savings request and how much license you have to push for cuts.

  
  

• The proactive building blocks every team needs: clean spend data, accessible contracts, and strong stakeholder relationships.

  
  

• Why your relationship with Finance must be "iron" solid and how it makes your savings numbers "bulletproof".

  
  

• The full spectrum of savings levers, from a simple "just ask" to transformational operating model changes.

  
  

ESG is a top priority for many companies, but are we approaching it the right way?In this episode, Zachary, Natasha, and Conrad explore the realities of procurement's role in driving Environmental, Social, and Governance initiatives. They move beyond theory to discuss how to make ESG a practical, value-driving part of your strategy, not just another corporate checkbox.Drawing on decades of experience at companies like Nike, Salesforce, and Intel, the hosts share hard lessons and practical strategies for making ESG a powerful engine for innovation and positive change, all while strengthening the business.You’ll hear candid views on:✔️ Why ESG should be viewed as a strategic opportunity, not just another 'deliverable'.✔️ The difference between chasing metrics (the letter of the law) and making a real impact (the spirit of the law).✔️ The surprising economic multiplier effect of spending with diverse suppliers.✔️ How to navigate conflicting priorities like supplier consolidation vs. supplier diversity.✔️ A creative negotiating tactic that trades price cuts for sustainability investments.✔️ Why you don't need a big budget to get started and can achieve up to 80% of your goals without new tech.✔️ How to use scorecards and QBRs to drive meaningful change with your suppliers.If you've ever felt that ESG is just a 'flavor of the month' or wondered how to make a real difference from your role in procurement, this conversation is for you.

AI is poised to change everything, but will it fix the strained relationship between Legal and Procurement, or make it worse?

In this special episode, Natasha and Conrad are joined by two legal powerhouses, Alissa Harvey Dawson and Ana Erickson, to explore the critical intersection of technology, law, and procurement. They discuss how to move beyond friction, leverage AI responsibly, and build a truly aligned partnership that drives business forward.

With decades of combined experience from companies like HubSpot, Gusto, IBM, and McKesson , our guests provide an unparalleled view from both inside the legal department and from the perspective of a procurement-pro-turned-lawyer.

Topics in this episode include:

• Why legal is often the slowest function to adopt new technology—and how to overcome the resistance.

• Practical ways to use AI for contract summarization, clause comparison, and initial drafting today.

• The secret to getting Legal and Procurement on the same page by aligning on business strategy and risk tolerance.

• The human element: What AI can't replace in understanding deal dynamics and complex relationships.

• Building proactive supplier resiliency in an era of tariffs and global disruption.

• The biggest risks of AI, like hallucinations and bias, and how to manage them responsibly.

  
  

If you’re a professional caught between legal hurdles and procurement deadlines, or wondering how to safely harness the power of AI, this conversation provides an expert playbook for the future of your field.

Contracts are a fundamental part of procurement, but are we making them more complicated than they need to be? In this episode, Zachary, Natasha, and Conrad dive deep into the realities of contracting in procurement. They discuss when a contract is truly necessary, how to balance speed with risk, and why procurement and legal teams often find themselves at odds.

Drawing on their combined decades of experience at companies like Nike, Adobe, and KPMG, the hosts share personal stories, lessons learned, and practical strategies to help procurement professionals streamline their contract processes.

Topics in this episode include:

• Why most contracts are never referenced again after signing

• The hidden costs of over-engineering contracts

• When legal teams should step in, and when they shouldn’t

• Reducing friction between procurement and legal

• Using AI and automation to handle routine contract work

• Building smarter intake and approval processes that actually work

If you’ve ever found yourself bogged down by contract redlines, approval delays, or legal bottlenecks, this conversation offers actionable advice on making contracting faster, smarter, and more business-friendly.

🎸 Automate Like a Rock Star: AI Agents in Procurement 🎸

In this episode of Proc-N-Roll, Conrad and Zach explore how procurement professionals can harness the power of AI agents and workflow automation to revolutionize contract management and beyond.

Zach walks through a practical demo of building an AI-driven contract analysis tool using Zapier, OpenAI’s GPT-4, and Google Sheets, showing how anyone can get started in just 5-10 hours — no coding experience required!

Tune in to learn:
✅ What agentic AI really means for procurement✅ How to build smart workflows with low-code tools✅ Real-world use cases for automating contract review
✅ Tips to future-proof your procurement team with AI skills

This episode is a must-listen for procurement pros looking to stay ahead of the curve and make AI a core part of their practice.

🎧 Hit play and let’s Proc-N-Roll!

#Procurement #AI #Automation #Workflows #Zapier #OpenAI #ContractManagement #ProcNRoll

🎉 New Podcast Alert! | Jam Session 

Hosted by Conrad, Natasha, and Zach, Jam Session brings guests from procurement leaders to changemakers to talk candidly about the challenges they face, their strategies, and how they turn complexity into opportunity.

When tariffs rise and trade tensions grow, how can procurement stay ahead of the curve? In this episode of Jam Session, Natasha, Conrad, and Zach sit down with Mark Raffan, founder of Negotiation Ninja, to talk about turning global uncertainty into strategic advantage.In this episode, they cover:

• Thriving through tariffs and trade disruption

• Why “win-win” is a myth in real negotiation

• How to strengthen supplier relationships under pressure

• Tactical tips: true-ups, flexible contracts, and pricing strategies

• Using AI wisely in negotiation prep

How should procurement respond when the ground shifts beneath our feet? In this episode, Zach, Natasha, and Conrad break down how procurement teams can stay resilient in the face of trade disruptions, supply chain shocks, and global uncertainty.

They cover proactive strategies for visibility, diversification, supplier collaboration, and why procurement must think beyond cost to lead through volatility.

🎧 Tune in for real-world insights and practical steps you can take — whether you're reacting to today’s disruptions or preparing for tomorrow’s.

#Procurement #SupplyChain #Resilience #RiskManagement #ProcAndRoll

In this episode of Proc & Roll, Zach Bachir, Natasha Gurevich, and Conrad Smith unpack the real reason procurement policies are often ignored — and what it takes to make them actually work.

They explore:

• Why most policies are too long and disconnected from reality

• How a 2-page policy worked at a $52B company

• The importance of embedding policy into workflows and tools

• When rules matter — and when trust matters more

• The cultural factors that drive (or kill) compliance

Plus, Conrad recommends No Rules Rules by Netflix’s Reed Hastings — a must-read on trust and accountability.

A must-listen for procurement leaders, compliance pros, and anyone shaping buying behavior in large organizations.

#Procurement #Compliance #Leadership #DigitalProcurement #BusinessStrategy #ProcAndRoll

In this episode of Proc & Roll, we’re joined by legendary procurement disruptor Elouise Epstein from Kearney to talk about the future of procurement — and what it really takes to lead in an AI-powered world.From spider charts to SaaS collapse to agent-based orchestration, Elouise breaks down what’s coming next and why most procurement teams aren’t ready for it. Plus, we dive into leadership gaps, soft skills, supplier risk, and the role of curiosity in surviving what’s ahead.🎧 You’ll hear: • Why GenAI won’t replace procurement — but will replace how we work • How modern procurement teams can manage 20+ AI agents each • Why most tech stacks fail (and what to do instead) • The surprising truth about supplier risk and vendor overload • What it means to become a business person who “does procurement” — not the other way around🔥 “If procurement doesn’t evolve — it will be left behind. But if it does, it might just lead the way.” – Elouise Epstein🛠️ Whether you’re a CPO, a practitioner, or a rising star in procurement — this is the wake-up call you didn’t know you needed.

Procurement orchestration tools promise to simplify intake, speed up processes, and unify tech stacks. But is it really the solution teams need right now?In Part 2 of our orchestration deep dive, Natasha and Conrad go beyond the hype to ask the hard questions:Is orchestration worth the investment? Where does it fit in the tech stack? And most importantly—what problem are you really trying to solve?💡 In this episode: • Orchestration vs. intake—what’s the difference, and why it matters • A practical framework for evaluating orchestration tools • Why simplifying your process might be more important than buying new techWhether you’re considering orchestration or just trying to make procurement work better for your stakeholders, this episode breaks it down in plain language with real-world advice.📌 Stick around for a sneak peek at our next guest: Dr. Eloise Epstein joins us to talk future-of-procurement and the end of the spider diagram.

“Orchestration” is showing up everywhere — conference panels, cold pitches, and LinkedIn posts. But what does it actually mean? And more importantly, should your procurement team care?In Part 1 of this two-part episode, Natasha and Conrad unpack the rise of procurement orchestration and why it’s suddenly in the spotlight.💡 In this episode: • What orchestration actually is (beyond the buzzword) • How it compares to intake, workflow, and automation • Why some see it as a game-changer — and others remain skepticalWe’ll share practical frameworks, examples, and a few strong opinions about what orchestration can (and can’t) do for procurement teams.📌 Subscribe to catch Part 2 — where we dive into tech stacks, user experience, and whether orchestration is a smart investment or a wait-and-see trend.

Feeling overwhelmed by the exploding procurement technology landscape? Join Natasha, Conrad, and Zach as they break down the evolution of procurement tech from paper-based systems to today's AI-powered solutions. Get practical advice on assessing your tech stack, learn why "less is more" with customization, and discover how to choose the right tools for your organization. From master data management to the "suite vs. best-of-breed" debate, our procurement experts share real-world insights on navigating the complex world of procurement technology.

Tired of playing the same old savings tune? Join the Proc & Roll crew as they turn up the volume on procurement's evolution from pure cost-cutting to driving real business value. Procurement veterans Zach, Natasha, and Conrad share war stories about breaking free from the "S-word" stigma and reveal how modern teams are becoming strategic rockstars. Discover how procurement is writing its next platinum hit, from talent transformation to supplier partnerships. Get ready to crank it up and learn why the future of procurement isn't just about counting pennies – it's about composing business success. 🎸