THE PROCUREMENT INTERVIEW
Procurement has rarely been more strategically important. Global supply chains face geopolitical instability, climate-related disruption and shifting market dynamics, while AI is transforming how organisations source, analyse and make decisions.
For Dan Coe, President, Chief Procurement Officer and Supply Chain Services & Vice Chair of CEPG at The Coca-Cola Company, those pressures have reinforced procurement’ s role as a driver of enterprise value rather than simply a cost function. Leading an organisation responsible for billions of dollars in annual spend across eight procurement towers and a Supply Chain Services tower, Dan oversees categories spanning indirect procurement, logistics, agriculture, sustainability, equipment, marketing, energy and supplier development.
“ One of the most interesting aspects of my role is the extraordinary breadth of categories my team and I oversee,” says Dan.“ The scope of our responsibility ensures no two days are alike; each presents a unique combination of opportunities, challenges and strategic decisions that influence the company’ s global operations.” That breadth has elevated procurement’ s role across the business.“ The sheer diversity of these categories provides a unique vantage point into nearly every facet of the business and underscores the increasingly strategic role that procurement and supply chain leadership play in driving growth, resilience and competitive advantage.”
“ AI really is a game changer in my opinion, but it is still a tool so human intelligence remains front and centre”
Dan Coe CPO Coca-Cola
Bringing procurement closer to operations In 2024, Dan’ s remit expanded to include Technical Innovation & Supply Chain Services, bringing procurement closer to the operational heart of the business.“ For me personally, it’ s been very refreshing to bring that group on board – supporting this part of the business is very different from your typical procurement work, and I’ ve learned a lot in working with this team,” he says. The function now supports innovation, planning, logistics, network design and quality, strengthening the connection between sourcing and operational decision-making.“ The focus is on enabling better, faster decisions across innovation, planning, logistics, network design, and all matters around quality and regulatory requirements,” Dan explains.
“ It changes both the mindset and the impact. You move from optimising transactions to shaping outcomes.”
22 August 2026