In this episode of The Way We Source, our host Sam Jenks welcomes Jon Hansen, a seasoned voice in procurement with over four decades of experience.

Jon, the founder of Procurement Insights, shares his unique 360-degree perspective on why many procurement initiatives fail and how technology can succeed or falter.

The conversation delves into the challenges of tech-led approaches, the importance of human-centric models, and the often-overlooked mid-market segment.

Jon's insights offer a compelling look at the future of procurement and the critical role of practitioners in driving success.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introduction to Jon Hansen and his background in procurement

(05:12) The evolution of procurement technology over the decades

(12:45) Challenges with tech-led approaches and the importance of human-centric models

(20:30) The role of mid-market organizations in procurement

(28:15) The Hanson Fitts score and measuring practitioner readiness

(35:50) The future of procurement and the need for practitioner-led success

(45:00) Quick-fire round with personal insights from Jon Hansen

In this episode of The Way We Source, host Sam Jenks engages with Jan-Henner Theissen, founder and managing director of Target P, to explore the evolving landscape of procurement. They discuss the cultural differences in procurement practices between Europe and the U.S., the importance of decision-making speed, and the need for a balanced approach to cost, risk, and ESG. Jan emphasizes the significance of supplier relationship management and the necessity for procurement leaders to embrace technology and foster collaboration. The conversation also touches on the future of procurement leadership and the critical role of data analytics in driving success.

This episode, we’re joined by Chris Sawchuk - Principal & Global Procurement Advisory Practice Leader at The Hackett Group. With over 20 years of experience in supply management, Chris works directly with the Global 2000 and midsized companies around the globe, and in a variety of industries, to improve all aspects of supply management, including process redesign, technology enablement, operations strategy planning, organizational change, and strategic sourcing. Mr. Sawchuk specializes in working directly with CPOs to help define a long-term strategy. He is a regular contributor to business publications, a frequent presenter at industry events, and author of numerous research papers and books. Mr. Sawchuk’s background includes engineering, operations, and sales roles with both United Technologies and IBM.

Timestamps:

(00:37) - Introducing Chris

(02:02) - How has the Hackett Group been either reactive or proactive with tall the volatility in the Procurement industry?

(04:28) - How have the dominant priorities at the beginning of 2025 changed or held up throughout the year?

(07:28) - What do Procurement teams and leaders mean when they say “transforming the operating model” is a top priority?

(11:11) - Is AI at the center of a Procurement operating model in 2025?

(13:36) - Are Procurement’s changing priorities a result of direct de-prioritization or bandwidth limitations?

(21:05) - Is the deprioritization of SRM contradictory to Procurement’s other higher priorities?

(25:56) - Where does Procurement fit into the top priorities of a CEO or broader business?

(31:02) - Why does volatility the biggest driver of transformation in Procurement?

(32:32) - Should companies invest through volatility to get a competitive edge or tighten the purse strings during the crisis? And how does this apply to AI adoption?

(41:00) - Chris answers Sam’s round of quick-fire questions

(44:54) - What does Chris think will define Procurement in 2026?