.png)
Procurement Initiative Leaders Podcast
The Procurement Initiative Leaders Podcast delivers industry-leading insights and trends to propel your organisation’s procurement strategy forward. Hosted by Richard McIntosh and Mike Jansen, Partners at H&Z, and Senior Advisor Martina Buchhauser, this show is the go-to resource for every CPO looking to up their game.
Join Richard, Martina and Mike as they sit down with industry leaders and experts to uncover the latest trends and insights in procurement, from exploring the transformative power of technology, data, digitisation and AI, to unraveling the complexities of leadership, competencies and talent management. Discover strategies for cost reduction and value creation, gain a deeper understanding of the impact of inflation, the economy, and geopolitics, and learn how to build resilient supply chains while effectively managing risks. We also delve into the crucial topics of ESG and the circular economy, exploring their implications for procurement leaders.
Tune in to the Procurement Initiative Leaders Podcast to unlock the knowledge and expertise you need to stay at the cutting-edge of the industry and drive meaningful change within your organisation.
Procurement Initiative Leaders Podcast
Ep. 24 – Striking the Balance Between AI Hesitation and Hype in Procurement – with Salvatore Lombardo
Avoiding the “AI stamp" trap in Procurement starts with one mindset shift: orchestrate AI, don’t just adopt it.
In this episode, host Mike Jansen speaks with Salvatore Lombardo, CPTO at Coupa, about how procurement leaders can turn AI into a true business driver.
Salvatore explains why too many teams chase artificial intelligence for visibility rather than value, and what it takes to build sustainable impact instead. He breaks down how to move from scattered “one agent per pain point” initiatives to orchestrated AI ecosystems that connect data, workflows and people.
Drawing on Coupa’s real-world client successes, including a €25M saving achieved by Uber through AI-driven spend analysis, Salvatore reveals how to start small, measure what matters, and keep empathy and human judgement at the centre of decision-making.
You’ll learn:
1. Why performative AI adoption fails and what to do instead
2. How to start small and scale AI responsibly
3. How to turn risk and opportunity into measurable business value
4. How to orchestrate agents across business functions
5. Why empathy remains Procurement’s ultimate advantage
___________
Get in touch with Salvatore Lombardo on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/salva-lombardo/
___________
About the host Mike Jansen:
Mike Jansen is Partner at H&Z Management Consulting with over a decade of experience enhancing the value that procurement delivers to organisations. Driven by a passion for tackling challenges, Mike thrives on competition—whether with others or himself. Outside of work, Mike enjoys quality time with his wife and children.
Get in touch with Mike Jansen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jansen-mike/
.png)
