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!

In this week's Proc n Roll, the trio tackles a billion-dollar boardroom debate: Who exactly owns AI in the enterprise? With 87% of companies increasing AI budgets by 2026, but only 14% having a clear C-suite owner, the lack of defined leadership is creating uncertainty.

Conrad, Natasha, and Zachary debate the tension between decentralized, bottom-up innovation and top-down corporate governance. They explore the dangers of "shadow AI," why token consumption is about to become your company's biggest expense, and how to divide AI responsibilities across the CISO, Tech, and Procurement teams.

Timestamps

(00:00:00) - Cold Open: The billion-dollar tug of war over AI ownership, the risk of data leaks, and token consumption costs.

(00:01:21) - Episode Intro: Welcome to Proc n Roll with the "Three Amigos" (Conrad, Natasha, and Zachary).

(00:02:06) - The Main Topic: Who owns AI in the enterprise when 87% of companies have increased budgets but only 14% have a clear owner?

(00:02:47) - Zachary's View (Decentralization): Why everyone should own AI and why innovation must come from the people doing the job today.

(00:06:05) - Natasha's View (Centralization): The need for compliance, keeping the enterprise in sync, and why AI strategy should fall under a Chief Transformation Officer or CPO.

(00:08:57) - The "Garage" Innovators: Zachary and Conrad discuss how the best AI users are experimenting off corporate machines using frontier models.

(00:11:41) - Accountability in AI: Treating AI outputs with the same ownership expectations as building an Excel model or PowerPoint presentation.

(00:14:34) - The Danger of Toy Agents: Natasha argues that building agents without a holistic enterprise strategy creates disconnected "toys" rather than solutions.

(00:17:25) - Personal Productivity vs. Platform Execution: Zachary breaks down the difference between using personal prompts and deploying integrated agents on enterprise platforms.

(00:21:49) - The Token Cost Crisis: Zachary predicts AI token consumption will become the biggest expense line for companies and why procurement must treat it like software asset management.

(00:27:39) - Defining Cross-Functional Roles: The hosts agree that the CISO owns security, Procurement owns cost, and Tech owns the overarching strategy.

(00:30:57) - The Policy Dilemma: The struggle to define who writes the AI guidelines without stifling innovation.

(00:33:42) - The Inevitable Data Leak: Natasha predicts a major corporate data spill caused by rogue employees building shadow AI.

(00:38:39) - Shadow AI & Swivel-Chairing: Conrad explains how employees are using external devices to bypass corporate AI restrictions for tasks like "should-cost" analysis.

(00:43:01) - Episode Wrap-up: Final thoughts on the necessity of cross-functional collaboration to navigate enterprise AI.

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!