PROCUREMENT STRATEGY
Nick Heinzmann, Head of Research, Zip
Nick Heinzmann presented Zip ' s inaugural State of Spend report, surveying over 1,000 global leaders. The research revealed that whilst AI confidence is high, readiness lags behind and procurement must fundamentally adapt its operating model for the AI era through team reskilling, process reimagination and strategic technology investments.
Chris Sawchuk from The Hackett Group emphasised that transforming the operating model has rapidly climbed corporate agendas – rising from outside the top 10 priorities to number one in just two years, driven by AI ' s disruptive potential.
A closing panel featuring LinkedIn and Prudential Financial executives explored emerging spending patterns, highlighting how AI components now permeate every contract and category.
Shaping & building the future of procurement As the world’ s leading agentic procurement orchestration platform, Zip is driving AI-powered transformation for every team and every stage of the procurement process, from requesters empowered by AI-driven intake to procurement teams orchestrating POs and beyond – leveraging AI for every stakeholder connected through orchestration.
" AI is introducing a new way of working, but the real agents of change aren ' t the tools we use, it ' s you all," Lu said in his closing remarks.
" It ' s the leaders in this room who will reimagine how work gets done in your organisations. Thank you all for joining us and thank you for being the agents of change, shaping and building the future of procurement with us."
74 November 2025