65. How a Non-Traditional Background Transformed Procurement Strategy

The future of procurement isn’t about categories - it’s about strategic, end-to-end partnerships that drive revenue, not just cut costs.

Bobby Baszynski, Head of Procurement at Mercury and former energy sector negotiator, shares how her unorthodox path taught her to operate in uncertainty and build relationships that lead to transformative business impact.

Discover how procurement can elevate from a cost gatekeeper to a strategic partner by embracing agility, reskilling negotiation muscle, and shifting from siloed categories to integrated business workflows.

Bobby breaks down proven tactics for navigating VUCA markets, managing vendor risks in AI-backed innovations, and designing scalable processes that support rapid growth. She reveals why moving away from rigid silos unlocks better ownership and outcomes, and how procurement’s true value lies in enabling revenue growth - not just savings.

You’ll learn concrete frameworks, from negotiation preparation to risk mitigation and stakeholder choreography that can instantly reshape your approach.

Whether you’re scaling a startup, leading large enterprise transformation, or just rethink how procurement can influence the top line, this episode offers actionable insights to make your team more strategic, more adaptable, and more valued.