Proc-N-Roll : Your guide to practical procurement!

Graphite Connect and Candor Procurement
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Welcome to Proc n Roll, where nearly 70 years of combined procurement expertise come together. Join Natasha, the PRO CPO with experience at IBM, McKesson, Salesforce, and Nike; Zach, the procurement guru from London; and Conrad, the visionary innovator behind transformational procurement at Intel and Adobe. We dive into the latest trends shaping the procurement landscape while breaking down the essential building blocks for success. Whether you’re new to procurement or a seasoned expert, our discussions will inspire you and keep you grounded in real-world value.

  1. 1 DAY AGO

    Come Together: Building Respectful and Transparent Supplier Relationships

    Is your procurement process truly ethical, or are there hidden gray areas you haven't considered? In this episode, the Proc & Roll team tackles the critical and complex topic of ethics and integrity. Join Natasha Gurevich, Conrad Smith, and Zachary Bachir as they move beyond clear-cut issues like bribery to explore the subtle, everyday dilemmas that professionals face in negotiations, RFPs, and stakeholder management. This is a must-listen for anyone looking to build a stronger personal foundation of integrity in their work. In this episode, we cover: The "continuum of influence": Where to draw the line between a golf outing and a bribe. Internal pressure: How to handle it when a senior leader asks you to "put your finger on the scale" for a favored supplier. The "benchmark bid" dilemma: Why asking suppliers for a quote when you have no real intention of awarding them the business is the "opposite from ethical". Negotiation ethics: Are "white lies" and bluffing acceptable, or can you get a good deal with 100% transparency? The "fourth jet" problem: The ethical questions that arise when one department is pinching pennies while another spends lavishly on things like a private jet.

    35 min

  2. 20 AUG

    Financial Harmony: A Procurement & Finance Duet

    Procurement reports millions in savings, but does the CFO actually believe the numbers? In this follow-up to our savings discussion, the Proc & Roll team tackles the biggest challenge in procurement: credibility. Join Natasha Gurevich, Conrad Smith, and Zachary Bachir as they share candid stories and practical strategies for building unshakeable trust with your finance partners. They break down why even the biggest savings numbers fall flat without the right validation and communication, and how to translate procurement "value" into the tangible currency your CFO wants to see. In this episode, we cover: The "wheelbarrow of money" analogy: What the CFO really wants to see from your savings reports. Why the lack of a unified code for defining savings creates confusion and mistrust between CPOs and CFOs. The specific role of Finance as a "validator"—not an approver—to make your numbers "bulletproof". The importance of speaking two languages: talking hard currency with Finance and value with business stakeholders. The challenge of cost avoidance, why it's often treated as a "stepchild" by CFOs, and how to explain its importance for protecting future margins. If you’ve ever struggled to get your savings report taken seriously, this episode provides a clear playbook.

    34 min

  3. 6 AUG

    Under Pressure: A CPO's Guide to Savings

    It's the proverbial 2 a.m. call from the CFO: "The quarter is bad, I need your team to deliver savings". Do you become the "cost police" and start squeezing suppliers, or do you step up as a strategic partner? In this episode, Natasha Gurevich, Conrad Smith, and Zach Bachir tackle the "S-word" of procurement. They share a practical playbook for generating real value under pressure, moving beyond simple cost-cutting to strategic leadership. This conversation is for any procurement professional who wants to be prepared before that inevitable call comes. In this episode, we cover: The crucial first step: Understanding the real driver behind a savings request and how much license you have to push for cuts. The proactive building blocks every team needs: clean spend data, accessible contracts, and strong stakeholder relationships. Why your relationship with Finance must be "iron" solid and how it makes your savings numbers "bulletproof". The full spectrum of savings levers, from a simple "just ask" to transformational operating model changes. The "Desktop Drill": A powerful exercise to run with your team to test your readiness before a crisis hits.If you’ve ever faced a sudden demand for cost reduction or want to elevate your team from a tactical function to a strategic powerhouse, this conversation is for you.

    42 min

  4. 23 JULY

    Paint it Green: An ESG Jam Session

    ESG is a top priority for many companies, but are we approaching it the right way?In this episode, Zachary, Natasha, and Conrad explore the realities of procurement's role in driving Environmental, Social, and Governance initiatives. They move beyond theory to discuss how to make ESG a practical, value-driving part of your strategy, not just another corporate checkbox.Drawing on decades of experience at companies like Nike, Salesforce, and Intel, the hosts share hard lessons and practical strategies for making ESG a powerful engine for innovation and positive change, all while strengthening the business.You’ll hear candid views on:✔️ Why ESG should be viewed as a strategic opportunity, not just another 'deliverable'.✔️ The difference between chasing metrics (the letter of the law) and making a real impact (the spirit of the law).✔️ The surprising economic multiplier effect of spending with diverse suppliers.✔️ How to navigate conflicting priorities like supplier consolidation vs. supplier diversity.✔️ A creative negotiating tactic that trades price cuts for sustainability investments.✔️ Why you don't need a big budget to get started and can achieve up to 80% of your goals without new tech.✔️ How to use scorecards and QBRs to drive meaningful change with your suppliers.If you've ever felt that ESG is just a 'flavor of the month' or wondered how to make a real difference from your role in procurement, this conversation is for you.

    42 min

  5. 9 JULY

    Procurement Contracts pt2: Smells Like Legal Spirit

    AI is poised to change everything, but will it fix the strained relationship between Legal and Procurement, or make it worse? In this special episode, Natasha and Conrad are joined by two legal powerhouses, Alissa Harvey Dawson and Ana Erickson, to explore the critical intersection of technology, law, and procurement. They discuss how to move beyond friction, leverage AI responsibly, and build a truly aligned partnership that drives business forward. With decades of combined experience from companies like HubSpot, Gusto, IBM, and McKesson , our guests provide an unparalleled view from both inside the legal department and from the perspective of a procurement-pro-turned-lawyer. Topics in this episode include: Why legal is often the slowest function to adopt new technology—and how to overcome the resistance. Practical ways to use AI for contract summarization, clause comparison, and initial drafting today. The secret to getting Legal and Procurement on the same page by aligning on business strategy and risk tolerance. The human element: What AI can't replace in understanding deal dynamics and complex relationships. Building proactive supplier resiliency in an era of tariffs and global disruption. The biggest risks of AI, like hallucinations and bias, and how to manage them responsibly. If you’re a professional caught between legal hurdles and procurement deadlines, or wondering how to safely harness the power of AI, this conversation provides an expert playbook for the future of your field.

    47 min

  6. 25 JUNE

    Procurement Contracts pt1: Stop Playing With Madness!

    Contracts are a fundamental part of procurement, but are we making them more complicated than they need to be? In this episode, Zachary, Natasha, and Conrad dive deep into the realities of contracting in procurement. They discuss when a contract is truly necessary, how to balance speed with risk, and why procurement and legal teams often find themselves at odds. Drawing on their combined decades of experience at companies like Nike, Adobe, and KPMG, the hosts share personal stories, lessons learned, and practical strategies to help procurement professionals streamline their contract processes. Topics in this episode include: Why most contracts are never referenced again after signing The hidden costs of over-engineering contracts When legal teams should step in, and when they shouldn’t Reducing friction between procurement and legal Using AI and automation to handle routine contract work Building smarter intake and approval processes that actually work If you’ve ever found yourself bogged down by contract redlines, approval delays, or legal bottlenecks, this conversation offers actionable advice on making contracting faster, smarter, and more business-friendly.

    42 min

  7. 28 MAY

    The Contract Mixtape: Sampling AI for Smarter Procurement

    🎸 Automate Like a Rock Star: AI Agents in Procurement 🎸 In this episode of Proc-N-Roll, Conrad and Zach explore how procurement professionals can harness the power of AI agents and workflow automation to revolutionize contract management and beyond. Zach walks through a practical demo of building an AI-driven contract analysis tool using Zapier, OpenAI’s GPT-4, and Google Sheets, showing how anyone can get started in just 5-10 hours — no coding experience required! Tune in to learn:✅ What agentic AI really means for procurement✅ How to build smart workflows with low-code tools✅ Real-world use cases for automating contract review✅ Tips to future-proof your procurement team with AI skills This episode is a must-listen for procurement pros looking to stay ahead of the curve and make AI a core part of their practice. 🎧 Hit play and let’s Proc-N-Roll! #Procurement #AI #Automation #Workflows #Zapier #OpenAI #ContractManagement #ProcNRoll

    50 min
  8. Crisis as a Catalyst: How Uncertainty is Driving Procurement Innovation

    21 MAY

    Crisis as a Catalyst: How Uncertainty is Driving Procurement Innovation

    🎉 New Podcast Alert! | Jam Session  Hosted by Conrad, Natasha, and Zach, Jam Session brings guests from procurement leaders to changemakers to talk candidly about the challenges they face, their strategies, and how they turn complexity into opportunity. When tariffs rise and trade tensions grow, how can procurement stay ahead of the curve? In this episode of Jam Session, Natasha, Conrad, and Zach sit down with Mark Raffan, founder of Negotiation Ninja, to talk about turning global uncertainty into strategic advantage.In this episode, they cover: Thriving through tariffs and trade disruption Why “win-win” is a myth in real negotiation How to strengthen supplier relationships under pressure Tactical tips: true-ups, flexible contracts, and pricing strategies Using AI wisely in negotiation prep Why rejection therapy might be your new superpower #Procurement #Negotiation #SupplyChain #Leadership #RiskManagement

    48 min
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About

Welcome to Proc n Roll, where nearly 70 years of combined procurement expertise come together. Join Natasha, the PRO CPO with experience at IBM, McKesson, Salesforce, and Nike; Zach, the procurement guru from London; and Conrad, the visionary innovator behind transformational procurement at Intel and Adobe. We dive into the latest trends shaping the procurement landscape while breaking down the essential building blocks for success. Whether you’re new to procurement or a seasoned expert, our discussions will inspire you and keep you grounded in real-world value.

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