Welcome to the #loveprocurement podcast, where we bring you a fresh and lighthearted take on all things procurement. Join us as we dive into the fascinating world of Procurement with a twist of humor and a sprinkle of fun. We'll explore a different topic in each episode, inviting industry experts and special guests to share their insights, experiences, and stories. Whether you're a seasoned procurement professional or just curious about the field, this podcast is for you. Get ready to laugh, learn, and deepen your appreciation for procurement!
Ep 17: Is It Time to Redesign Procurement's Operating Model? feat James Meads
The long-running debate between procurement generalists and category specialists is taking a new turn. Technology is leveling the playing field on market intelligence just as many seasoned category experts retire, and procurement's value increasingly depends on communication, stakeholder influence, and the ability to put data to work.
The leaders handling this moment best are redesigning their operating models from scratch and investing in the people who are willing to learn.
In this episode of the #LoveProcurement podcast host Kelly Barner welcomes James Meads to the show. James is a procurement technology go-to-market advisor specializing in buyer-centric positioning, sales effectiveness, and funnel conversion.
James shares his perspective on how technology is reshaping procurement talent, stakeholder relationships, and the CPO's role:
Why deep category expertise is becoming less of a differentiator for procurement teams, even in direct spend
How stakeholder management changes when category expertise resides primarily in the business
Where CPOs should start when redesigning their operating model, including why willingness to learn matters more than tech savvy
Links: James Meads on LinkedIn
13 Oct 2026
Ep 16: From AI Buzzwords to Business Value feat Sunny Kharkar
AI experimentation is giving way to a much harder question for procurement: how do you turn all that potential into measurable business value? That challenge is especially pronounced in the public sector and in other regulated environments, where data residency, security, compliance, and governance can determine which AI use cases are viable in the first place.
Progress requires more than adopting new technology; it means establishing the right data foundations, balancing governance with usability, and approaching implementation as a broader business transformation.
In this episode of the #LoveProcurement podcast host Kelly Barner welcomes Sunny Kharkar to the show. Sunny is a Partner at KPMG Canada, focused on Supply Chain & Procurement Solutions and Procurement Transformation.
Listen in to hear Sunny speak about:
The gap between AI ambition and meaningful readiness
Why having a centralized view or "control tower" matters when organizations start thinking about AI
How procurement leaders can avoid treating AI as a set of isolated experiments instead of part of a broader transformation
Links: Sunny Kharkar on LinkedIn
29 Sept 2026
Ep 15: Why the Best Communicators Say Less feat Neil Perry
Rapid advances in technology, geopolitical volatility, and constant business disruption make it impossible for procurement to have every answer, and pretending otherwise can undermine credibility.
The strongest communicators take a different approach, combining humility and authenticity with the ability to make complex ideas human, memorable, and relevant to their audience. Effective communication isn't about commanding the room; it's about listening closely, knowing when to say less, and helping people understand why the work matters.
In this episode of the #LoveProcurement podcast host Kelly Barner welcomes Neil Perry to the show. Neil is Content Director at Outlook Publishing, as well as an experienced moderator, voice coach, journalist and broadcaster.
Neil shares what he has learned from many years of public speaking, interviews, and facilitation:
Why communication skills are so critical for procurement leaders
The role that active listening plans in effective communication
How to project influence through communication style as well as substance
Links: Neil Perry on LinkedIn
Who has been a guest on Love Procurement: The Podcast
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Joseph Tonye
Karl Poulsen
Sara Khakpour Grongstad
Julia Jokinen
Reach and audience
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Spotify
5.0 / 5
8 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 42 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
70
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
32
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Questions about Love Procurement: The Podcast
Who hosts Love Procurement: The Podcast?
Kelly Barner host the show. Published by Ivalua.
How often do new episodes come out?
The show publishes bi-weekly, based on its RSS feed.
Does Love Procurement: The Podcast take guests?
Yes. Guests have been identified in episode analyses.
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