Welcome to another Jam Session on Proc n Roll! This week, Conrad sits down with Ajay Khosla from Google to dive deep into the reality of agentic procurement and enterprise AI. They discuss the rapid evolution from simple generative chatbots to powerful, proactive agents (like Open Claw) and how these tools are fundamentally changing the user experience in sourcing.

Discover why the future of procurement looks a lot like the corporate travel agents of the 1990s, how to safely boost your "AIQ," and why your traditional CLM might just become a glorified data repository. Hit play to learn how to move from last year's AI pilots to delivering actual, measurable value today.

Timestamps:

(00:01:01) - Intro: Welcoming Ajay Khosla to the jam session.

(00:02:25) - The Evolution of AI: From Zapier workflows to Open Claw and agentic procurement.

(00:05:14) - The Dangers of Access: Setting up guardrails and controlling bad actors in AI.

(00:07:05) - Real-World AI: Using agents to build complex Excel spreadsheets and manage data.

(00:12:47) - The Google Perspective: Standardizing procurement across a 25-year-old enterprise.

(00:15:37) - The Travel Agent Analogy: Bringing the "white-glove" concierge experience back to sourcing.

(00:19:25) - Guardrails & Policy: Orchestrating procurement dynamically based on company rules.

(00:26:08) - Will AI Take Your Job?: Escaping administrative onboarding tasks to focus on strategic advising.

(00:31:50) - Getting Practical: Moving beyond proofs-of-concept to actual value implementation.

(00:36:13) - The Data Foundation: Why getting your data right is critical to prevent hallucinations.

(00:41:52) - Boosting Your AIQ: 3 practical tips to level up your agentic intelligence right now.

(00:47:23) - The Reverse Mentorship: Why you should find a digital-native Gen Z mentor.

(00:55:37) - Rethinking the Tech Stack: Modular approaches and why the traditional CLM is dead.

(01:00:01) - Leadership Lessons: Choosing relationships and doing the right thing over raw results.

About Proc n Roll:

Welcome to Proc n Roll, the ultimate podcast for procurement, supply chain, and enterprise technology. Hosted by Conrad, Zach, and Natasha, we cut through the corporate noise to deliver honest, hype-free conversations with top industry leaders, innovators, and digital mentors. Whether we are breaking down complex AI agent frameworks, debating the future of the ProcureTech stack, or sharing practical leadership strategies to help you level up your career, our goal is to deliver actionable insights you can apply on Monday morning.

In this episode of Proc n Roll, Zach and Conrad sit down with Joël Collin-Demers, the digital procurement mentor and author of the Pure Procurement newsletter. Joël unpacks the new "buy-to-build" paradigm in procurement technology, explaining how to successfully blend pre-packaged software suites with customizable, AI-driven toolboxes. From deep dives into the Model Context Protocol (MCP) to the urgent need for technical talent within sourcing teams, this conversation is a masterclass in modernizing your tech stack.Timestamps:(01:15) - Introduction of Joël Collin-Demers and his background in digital procurement. (02:56) - Defining the "Buy-to-Build" concept in procurement technology. (06:11) - The risks of using AI to code from scratch and the importance of software architecture.(07:25) - History repeating itself: Comparing modern configurable suites to legacy procurement software promises.(09:41) - Why procurement still needs business analysts and the role of the Digital Procurement Lead.(11:37) - The argument for hiring technical engineers directly into procurement teams.(14:21) - Practical tips for smaller organizations: Leveraging IT sourcing roles and fractional digital leads.(17:50) - Moving the conversation to AI Agents: Should you build or buy them?.(18:48) - Joël’s definition of an agent and deciding where an agent should reside based on cross-functional needs.(22:22) - Managing AI context: The importance of deterministic business rules over statistical guessing. (30:48) - AI vs. the 150-page procurement policy and managing AI hallucinations.(33:27) - Re-evaluating the tech stack: How to handle high-risk software decisions today.(36:03) - Treating ProcureTech as a strategic category and the shift away from massive IT business cases.(40:01) - Explaining the Model Context Protocol (MCP) using a restaurant menu analogy.(42:58) - Addressing security, data governance, and permissions when using MCP.(45:22) - Analyzing SAP's controversial API policy and the "App Store" approach to data security. (47:45) - Final practical tips: Why procurement leaders need to start experimenting with AI immediately.About Proc N Roll:

Welcome to Proc n Roll, the ultimate podcast for procurement, supply chain, and AI! Hosted by Conrad Smith, Zachary Bachir, and Natasha Gurevich, we cut through the corporate noise to deliver honest, hype-free conversations with top industry leaders. From AI and tech stack strategies to career growth, we give you the tactical insights you need to level up. Subscribe and join the jam session!

In this jam session of Proc n Roll, Conrad sits down with Limor David-Sternfeld, a seasoned executive with a fascinating career journey that spans from the defense industry to leading global sourcing and procurement in the Bay Area's big tech sector. Limor shares her practical insights on navigating unfamiliar sourcing categories, the changing dynamics of enterprise tech, and what it truly means to be a courageous leader.

Whether you are an individual contributor looking to level up your stakeholder relationships or a CPO evaluating your next major software investment, this episode is packed with actionable advice.

Topics Discussed in This Episode:

• The Accidental Career Path: How a job in defense procurement derailed an accounting career and sparked a lifelong passion for sourcing and procurement.
• The "Figure It Out" Mentality: Why curiosity, dedicated research, and cultural tenacity are your best tools when tackling brand-new procurement categories and challenges.
• Agents vs. Humans: A look at the future of complex enterprise negotiations, and why the most strategic relationships will still require humans, at least for now.
• Tech Stack Warnings: Why procurement organizations should be highly cautious about locking into long-term tech arrangements while the AI landscape is shifting so rapidly.
• The Bravery of Leadership: How to lead by example, have the hard conversations, and show up with confidence to support your team.
• Slashing Cycle Times: The urgency of incorporating AI into your workflows to reduce repetitive tasks before your stakeholders lose patience.

About Proc n Roll

Welcome to Proc n Roll, your guide to practical procurement! Hosted by industry veterans Conrad, Natasha, and Zachary, we dive deep into the strategies, operating models, and emerging technologies shaping the future of supply chain and procurement. Whether you are looking to navigate the AI tech boom, rethink your category management, or just survive your next boardroom meeting, the "three amigos" are here to break down the complex topics into actionable, practical insights. Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more procurement insights!