DAY 1: Navigating Global Challenges while Mitigating Risk and Reducing Costs

Building a resilient supply base isn't just a strategic move; it's a lifeline when navigating today's turbulent supply chain waters, ensuring the ability to weather storms both figurative and literal while maintaining supply continuity and the ability to pivot as the changing supply landscape demands. In this presentation, Kevin Floyd, Deputy Chief Procurement Officer for the City of Atlanta, will delve into the city’s ongoing journey toward building a resilient supply base, drawing from the invaluable lessons gleaned from the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Explore strategies for: 

• Evaluating your supplier network to find critical categories and areas to focus on expanding the supply base 
• Creating depth within these critical supply categories to mitigate risks and foster adaptability within the procurement process 
• Focusing on attracting supplier partners whose goals and strategies align with your organizations’  
• Building a supplier mentorship program to help smaller companies develop the capabilities to be stronger and more valuable partners 

Kevin S. Floyd

Deputy Chief Procurement Officer
City of Atlanta

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In this dynamic keynote fireside chat, Dr. Tracy Joshua will illuminate the pivotal role that supply chain plays in navigating economic volatility. Dr. Joshua will delve into the challenges and opportunities inherent in changing economic climates, offering practical strategies for mitigating risk and enhancing resilience within the supply chain. Attendees will gain valuable insights into how to adapt and thrive in uncertain times! Whether grappling with current economic challenges or preparing for future disruptions, this session will equip leaders with actionable guidance to navigate complexity and drive sustainable success.

Dr. Tracy Joshua

Vice President, External Supply Chain
Kellanova

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The transformative journey of procurement from a perceived cost center to a strategic partner in the supply chain is just beginning! Explore the dynamics of business partnerships and how they have shifted from being mere expense management to influencing the topline and balancing trade programs. The session will delve into the intricacies of determining where and which countries to procure from, considering the evolution from globalization to "friendly-ization" – focusing on partnerships with countries that have fewer risks. Understand the impact of supplier partnerships on the supply chain and how they contribute to operational resilience and innovation. Crucially, we will discuss the imperative of ensuring that procurement leaders foster the right relationships with the C-Suite. Learn strategies and insights on:

• How procurement professionals can position themselves as integral contributors to organizational success
• Emphasizing the importance of aligning procurement goals with overall business objectives
• Enhancing your procurement strategies and relationships with the C-Suite

Aleck Matambo

Senior Director, Procurement
Google

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+ Category Meetups! Come meet with other professionals who are interested in your category! 

Sustainability initiatives encompass a vast spectrum of projects, data, teams and more across your supply chain – so how do you even begin to evaluate, track and meet them? Where are other companies moving the needle on sustainable sourcing in their supply chain? Join our panel session where seasoned industry experts delve into advancing sustainability and fostering positive Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) outcomes throughout the supply chain. The discussion will: 

• Unravel the tangle of metrics and reporting methods to help you being to evaluate your supply chain for sustainability opportunities
• Offer pragmatic strategies for finding and integrating ESG considerations into procurement processes
• Help you champion sustainable processes and suppliers to meet business goal

Alyssa Rade

Chief Sustainability Officer
Sustain.Life

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The core essence of transformation requires more than simply replacing outdated technologies with new ones, amassing vast amounts of data, assembling a legion of data scientists, or attempting to emulate the strategies of digital natives. Instead, digital transformation is fundamentally about evolving into an organization whose pivotal decisions, actions, and processes are shaped by insights derived from data and connected digitally. Simply put, true transformation occurs when there is a successful shift in the behaviors and practices within an organization to support implementation of new technologies that allow procurement to be a strategic center. During this keynote, explore the pathway to transformation, delving into: 

• Evaluating the state of procurement and supply chain technologies to understand the competitive landscape
• Focusing on technologies that can strategically enhance organizational capabilities, such as ERP
• Connecting people, processes and technologies for holistic transformation

The ProcureCon Roundtables are designed to foster intimate conversations around common hurdles. Engage small groups of 10-15 people in discussions around relevant industry topics and hurdles in order to re-strategize and overcome common roadblocks to success.

• Avetta, topic TBD
• Ivalua, Topic TBD
• Transforming Transportation Procurement with a Data-Driven Supply Chain Platform 
• Gain Spend Visibility across a Multi-Tiered Supplier Network 
• Empower Procurement to Create Supply Chain Transparency and Responsibility  
• Using AI to Optimize Your Supplier Base 
• Unlock Your Negotiating Power with Autonomous Contracting 

Embark on a fast-paced journey through the logistics landscape with Marc Hendrickx, the Global Category Leader for International Logistics and North America Regional Logistics Procurement Leader at Corteva. In this illuminating case study, Marc will share firsthand insights into how Corteva revolutionized its approach to sourcing its logistics and transportation categories in North America, while navigating the nuanced responsibilities of regional logistics procurement. Through Marc's expertise, uncover the challenges and triumphs of balancing the unique demands of a complex supply chain while consolidating and growing partnership with a logistics supplier to meet changing (and sometimes skyrocketing) demand. Gain valuable insights into: 

• Bridging supply chain and procurement functions for enhanced efficiency at Corteva 
• Moving from a fragmented contracts model to a consolidated, strategic approach, achieving better performance and stakeholder alignment under Marc's leadership 
• Shifting from a transactional to a collaborative procurement model, prioritizing supplier relationships and continuous improvement over mere cost reduction 
• Engaging stakeholders immediately for fast buy-in to changing procurement processes, as per Marc's mantra: "Relationships before powerpoints." 

Marc Hendrickx

Global International Logistics & North America Regional Logistics Procurement Leader
Corteva

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