Sustainability Shines Through on P&SC LIVE New York Day One
The buzz during Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE New York 2024 was palpable, with two days packed to the brim with insightful discussions.
Here, we recap Day One of the ultimate virtual event for procurement and supply chain leaders based in the US and Canada.
Panels offering valuable insights
One of the standout sessions from the first day was the Procurement Strategy Forum, featuring leading industry lights such as Melanie Temkin from Cognizant, Birchard Allen from the US House of Representatives, Bob Bruning from CBRE and Dean Ocampo from ServiceNow.
These four experts shared exclusive insights and expert advice on procurement strategy. Sponsored by ServiceNow, the Procurement Strategy Forum brought together industry leaders to delve into crucial topics like supplier diversity and inclusion.
The panel discussion delved into various aspects of procurement strategy, covering diversity, technology, transparency, sustainability and effectiveness measurement.
Melanie underscored the importance of aligning procurement with organisational diversity goals, while Birchard elaborated on the organic growth of the House of Representatives' supplier network.
Bob shed light on CBRE's successful integration of supplier diversity and Dean highlighted the significance of making diversity integral to procurement. In the realm of technology, Birchard discussed the US House of Representatives' transition to electronic systems and the necessity of effective AI utilisation.
Bob provided insights into CBRE's procurement technology investments, while Dean emphasised cross-domain collaboration and AI integration.
The discussion also touched upon transparency and compliance efforts by organisations like CBRE and the US House, with Dean advocating for transparency in procurement.
Sustainability and ethical sourcing were key focuses, with Melanie and Birchard outlining approaches to integrate sustainability into procurement. Overall, the panel painted a vivid picture of the evolving landscape of procurement, emphasising strategic alignment, technological innovation, transparency and sustainability.
Engaging fireside chat on Day One
Amanda Davies, Chief R&D, Procurement and Sustainability Officer at Mars Snacking, set the tone with her fireside chat on 'Sustainable Futures'.
Amanda stressed the importance of an integrated sustainability approach, aligning commitments with executive pay and fostering accountability at all levels within the organisation.
“It's about performance, not promises,” she emphasised during her fireside interview.
She added: "It's very easy to talk about sustainability and make big promises. Now, it's important to have bold ambitions. We're the last generation of leaders that have time to act on this important topic before it's too late.”
She underlined the significance of converting sustainability strategies into actionable plans, measuring impact and maintaining a growth mindset. Amanda highlighted the importance of partnerships and collaboration, shifting from instructing suppliers to inviting them to collaborate.
Addressing challenges like material sourcing and data quality, she advocated for transparency and vulnerability in leadership. Amanda offered advice to other leaders, stressing personal commitment, performance over promises and the power of partnership.
“Impact actually happens through implementation; and you've got to be as available as a leader to support in the implementation as you make yourself available for the coaching on the thinking at the beginning,” she continued.
Additionally, she underscored the importance of authentically engaging consumers, ensuring that sustainability messaging aligns with brand values and resonates with consumers.
She wasn't alone in the spotlight. Ken Bradley from Lytica, Dean Ocampo of ServiceNow and Lisa Flores from the City of New York shared their insights, adding diverse perspectives to the mix.
More to come in 2024…
Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE will be hosting two more events in 2024:
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