The Spend Sessions Podcast, Episode 9: How AI is Reshaping Procurement

The world of procurement is evolving at an unprecedented pace, and AI is at the heart of this transformation. In the latest episode of Spend Sessions, our host Seth Catalli sits down with Alan Rice, Managing Director of Cache Procurement, to explore how AI is redefining procurement’s role, influence, and strategic impact.

Alan shares his perspective as both a former practitioner with the likes of Unisys, Nortel Networks, Cemex and Nokia, and now a leading industry consultant, discussing how procurement leaders can extend their influence across the business, where the real value in AI lies, and the biggest trends shaping procurement in 2025.

Listen in for expert insights on unlocking AI’s potential to drive efficiency, reduce costs, and elevate procurement’s strategic position including:

• How the primary use case and value for AI and automation in procurement is to allow undertake processes in hours and days that previously took weeks and months  
• Why AI-driven sourcing enables teams to do more with less, running five or six times the number of events with no additional headcount 
  
• How procurement leaders must seize this unparalleled opportunity to become business leaders and finally earn the much-talked about seat at the table
• Using new technology to shift the function from gatekeeper to value creator that delivers strategic business value and helps drive growth