How is Artificial Intelligence transforming procurement, and what does it take to succeed in one of the world's most dynamic industries?

In this episode of CPO Perspective, Richard Beaumont sits down with Sachin Kotecha, Head of Procurement at The Jockey Club, for an insightful conversation on the future of procurement, supply chain management, leadership, and innovation. Sachin shares his unique career journey into procurement, explaining how the profession has evolved from a back-office function into a strategic driver of business success. Together, they explore the fast-paced world of sports procurement, where stakeholder expectations, event delivery, and operational excellence all play a critical role.

The discussion dives into the growing impact of AI and digital technologies on procurement, highlighting how automation and data analytics are helping professionals make smarter decisions while reinforcing that technology should enhance—not replace—the human relationships that sit at the heart of successful procurement. Sachin also explains why balancing cost savings with long-term value creation is essential, how procurement teams can build stronger partnerships across an organisation, and why leadership, transparency, and quality data are becoming increasingly important in today's business landscape.

Whether you're an experienced procurement professional, a supply chain leader, a business executive, or someone considering a career in procurement, this episode is packed with practical advice, industry insights, and valuable lessons on navigating change in an increasingly digital world. Sachin also shares his advice for newcomers to the profession, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning, networking, curiosity, and finding a genuine passion for procurement.

In this episode, you'll discover:
• Sachin Kotecha's journey into procurement and supply chain
• The unique challenges of procurement in the sports industry
• How AI is transforming procurement and strategic sourcing
• Why stakeholder management is key to procurement success
• The importance of balancing cost, quality, and long-term value
• How data and technology are shaping modern procurement decisions
• Leadership lessons for procurement professionals
• Career advice for anyone looking to enter the procurement industry

Chapters:
00:00 – Introduction to Procurement Journey
02:59 – Career Path and Experiences in Procurement
06:09 – The Unique Aspects of Procurement in Sports
09:00 – Excitement and Challenges in Modern Procurement
11:47 – Balancing Cost, Value, and Stakeholder Expectations
15:04 – The Role of Data and Leadership in Procurement
17:59 – Technology and Human Interaction in Procurement
21:08 – Advice for Newcomers in Procurement

If you enjoyed this conversation, don't forget to Like, Subscribe, and turn on notifications for more interviews with industry leaders, procurement experts, and supply chain professionals on CPA Perspective.

#Procurement #SupplyChain #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #ProcurementLeadership #SupplyChainManagement #SportsBusiness #TheJockeyClub #DigitalTransformation #StakeholderManagement #CareerDevelopment #CPAPerspective
If this episode resonated with you, subscribe to CPO Perspective for more honest conversations with procurement leaders navigating complexity, change, and the evolving role of the profession.

I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly.

– Richard and The CPO Perspective podcast team

Connect with Richard Beaumont on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/richardbeaumont
Visit the Beaumont Procurement website here: https://beaumontprocurement.com

#thecpoperspective #richardbeaumont #procurementleadership #cpo #procurementjudgement #decisionmaking #strategicprocurement #procurementtransformation #chiefprocurementofficer #supplychainleadership #procurementstrategy #aiinprocurement #procurementprofessionals #businessleadership #influenceatwork Procurement has never had better tools, data, or analysis — yet when decisions are challenged, the hardest part is rarely technical. The CPO Perspective explores what actually separates high-performing procurement teams from the rest: judgement, influence, and the ability to make decisions that hold up under real scrutiny.

Hosted by Richard Beaumont — former Army Officer, McKinsey consultant, and Chief Procurement Officer — this podcast is for procurement professionals who want to move beyond operational efficiency and build the kind of credibility, leadership, and ownership that earns genuine board-level trust.

How is AI changing procurement and what does it really take to create value beyond cost savings?

In this episode of CPO Perspective, host Richard Beaumont sits down with David Sinclair, Group Head of Procurement at Robert Walters Recruitment, to explore the future of procurement, AI governance, leadership, and business transformation.

David shares his unique career journey from the armed forces and management consultancy into procurement leadership, offering practical insights into how procurement professionals can stay relevant in a rapidly evolving business landscape.

Together, they discuss why AI is transforming procurement, why governance is more important than ever, and how procurement teams can demonstrate measurable business value beyond traditional cost reduction.

Whether you're a Chief Procurement Officer (CPO), procurement professional, supply chain leader, sourcing specialist, or simply interested in the future of AI in business, this conversation is packed with actionable insights.

In this episode, you'll learn:

How David Sinclair built a successful procurement career
The real impact of AI on procurement
Why governance is critical when implementing AI
How procurement can demonstrate strategic business value
Why cost savings are no longer enough
The future of procurement roles and digital transformation
Skills every aspiring procurement professional should develop
Why procurement acts as the glue between business functions

Key takeaways:

AI should enhance strategy, not replace it.
Procurement leaders must balance innovation with governance.
Business value extends far beyond savings.
Organizational agility is becoming a competitive advantage.
Enthusiasm, curiosity, and continuous learning are essential for success.

If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications for more conversations with leading procurement executives and industry experts.

What role do you think AI will play in procurement over the next five years? Let us know in the comments below.

#Procurement #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #ProcurementTransformation #DigitalTransformation #SupplyChain #Leadership #ChiefProcurementOfficer #CPO #ProcurementLeadership #BusinessTransformation #Governance #StrategicSourcing #ProcurementStrategy #Podcast #RichardBeaumont #DavidSinclair

I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly.

– Richard and The CPO Perspective podcast team

Connect with Richard Beaumont on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/richardbeaumont
Visit the Beaumont Procurement website here: https://beaumontprocurement.com

#thecpoperspective #richardbeaumont #procurementleadership #cpo #procurementjudgement #decisionmaking #strategicprocurement #procurementtransformation #chiefprocurementofficer #supplychainleadership #procurementstrategy #aiinprocurement #procurementprofessionals #businessleadership #influenceatwork Procurement has never had better tools, data, or analysis — yet when decisions are challenged, the hardest part is rarely technical. The CPO Perspective explores what actually separates high-performing procurement teams from the rest: judgement, influence, and the ability to make decisions that hold up under real scrutiny.

Hosted by Richard Beaumont — former Army Officer, McKinsey consultant, and Chief Procurement Officer — this podcast is for procurement professionals who want to move beyond operational efficiency and build the kind of credibility, leadership, and ownership that earns genuine board-level trust.

In this episode of CPO Perspective, Richard is joined by Katy Shields, Head of Indirect Procurement at Debenhams Group, for a wide-ranging conversation on the future of procurement, leadership, supplier relationships, and the growing role of AI in the procurement function.

Katy shares her career journey from an apprenticeship near Disneyland Paris to leading indirect procurement in a major retail business, and explains how procurement has evolved from a tactical cost-saving function into a strategic business partner. The conversation explores how procurement leaders can build stronger stakeholder relationships, use technology to improve the user experience, and create long-term value with suppliers in an increasingly fast-moving market.

If you work in procurement, sourcing, supply chain, supplier management, procurement transformation, or CPO leadership, this episode is packed with practical insights on how the function is changing and what skills matter most in the years ahead.

In this episode, we cover:

* Katy Shields’ journey into procurement and indirect sourcing
* What it means to lead indirect procurement at Debenhams Group
* How procurement has changed from a tactical function to a strategic one
* Why relationship-building is becoming a key competitive advantage in procurement
* The impact of AI, LLMs, and procurement technology on procurement teams
* How procurement can improve stakeholder experience with better tools and processes
* Why supplier relationships and negotiation resilience matter more than ever
* Advice for young professionals starting a career in procurement
* The future of procurement leadership in retail and beyond

Topics discussed:
Procurement leadership, indirect procurement, strategic sourcing, supplier relationship management, procurement transformation, AI in procurement, LLMs in procurement, procurement technology, sourcing strategy, stakeholder management, negotiation strategy, retail procurement, CPO insights, procurement careers, supply chain leadership.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations with procurement leaders, CPOs, and supply chain experts sharing practical insights on leadership, strategy, technology, and the future of the profession.

#Procurement #IndirectProcurement #StrategicSourcing #SupplyChain #CPO #ProcurementLeadership #SupplierManagement #ProcurementTransformation #AIinProcurement #Sourcing #RetailProcurement #Negotiation #Leadership

Procurement has never had better tools, data, or analysis — yet when decisions are challenged, the hardest part is rarely technical. The CPO Perspective explores what actually separates high-performing procurement teams from the rest: judgement, influence, and the ability to make decisions that hold up under real scrutiny.

Hosted by Richard Beaumont — former Army Officer, McKinsey consultant, and Chief Procurement Officer — this podcast is for procurement professionals who want to move beyond operational efficiency and build the kind of credibility, leadership, and ownership that earns genuine board-level trust.