One Year at Pure Procurement: Insights and Lessons from a Rookie

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Hi {{FIRST_NAME|readers}},

If you've been paying attention to the ProcureTech market, there's a feeling out there…

A feeling that things are changing…

It feels like we've truly entered a new era of end-to-end procurement platforms (and not just because of AI's October 2022 ChatGPT moment). The enterprise is always slow to change, but there's clearly something happening.

That was the core thesis of my presentation to procurement pros at Zip Forward Europe in London this week. And I brought the receipts from 12+ vendors to back up the claim! 🧾

If you want a copy of my slides, just reply to this email and I'll send them over.

Now. Three things happening this week:

1/ Wednesday at 9am ET, our inaugural virtual conference, ProcureTech Unpacked, goes live in collaboration with KonnectHouse.

10 software vendors will be discussing and demoing the "art of the possible" across all the main ProcureTech software categories. We've got a full house and everything is coming together nicely. If you managed to snag a ticket, very excited to see you there. We've got surprises planned. 🎆

2/ Tomorrow at 9am ET, the 2026 ProcureTech Cup "Discovery Stream" launches on my LinkedIn profile.

For those of you who didn't get into Unpacked this year, we didn't want you on the sidelines. A new simplified format this year: 25 brands. Open voting, all week.

The ProcureTech brand with the most votes by Friday at 5pm ET wins the Solution Discovery stream. Come make your voice heard.

3/ And tonight? It's Miller time. 🍺

With all of that going on this week, I gave Miller Cordeiro, our Head of Growth, the keys to the newsletter🔑. He’s been bringing the power of the ‘stache to our industry, and he's got some thoughts on what he's learned. 🥸

What do you think his main takeaway is after a year working with me? (It may or may not have something to do with maple syrup.) 😅

Onwards!

📰 In this week’s edition:

Note: Some of the content listed above is only available in the email version of this newsletter. Don’t miss out! Sign up for free to get the next edition.

by Miller Cordeiro

When I joined Pure Procurement as Head of Growth a year ago, I thought I understood what digital transformation in procurement meant. Nearly twelve months later, I’ve realized I was in way over my head.

Working alongside Joël and so many other incredible practitioners has shown me just how outdated my perception of procurement really was.

Honestly, the last thing I associated with the function before working at Pure Procurement was software or cutting‑edge technology. But after a year of learning and discovery, I’ve walked away with lessons I’ll carry forward with confidence.

The most important of them? Business transformation is barely about technology. It’s about clarity, relationships, and resilience.

One of the clearest examples of this came when I realized just how much time and effort is required to align stakeholders before any tool can truly make a difference. Without that alignment, most if not all digital transformation initiatives are doomed to fail.

A key lesson that has stuck with me as a recurring theme in every digital transformation initiative is that stakeholder alignment must always come first. This is no easy feat. Aligning stakeholders requires considerable time and effort, which is precisely why change management is such an important part of not only procurement but all business functions.

Procurement technology can be powerful and a true game changer for any business, but without clarity and buy‑in across the organization, even the best solutions stall. This insight reshaped how I approach everything from procurement to business to growth initiatives — start with people, not platforms.

1. Clarity Before Technology

Procurement succeeds when requirements are precise and expectations are aligned. Whether drafting an RFP or evaluating a ProcureTech solution, clarity upfront saves months of rework downstream. My first year taught me that growth and progress is accelerated when we invest in defining the problem before chasing the solution.

2. Build Relationships to Drive Adoption

Tools don’t transform organizations, people do. Building strong cross‑functional relationships is the secret sauce of a truly successful initiative. Procurement leaders must act as connectors, ensuring that technology adoption is supported by trust and collaboration. Without collaboration and open communication, even the simplest goals become nearly impossible to achieve.

3. Cut Through Hype, Focus on Reality

AI, orchestration, and automation currently dominate conversations in the space, but separating hype from reality is essential to ensure success. Focus on solving your core problem, not chasing shiny features…

Progress comes from pragmatic wins that build momentum, not from promises that overreach. And it’s crucial to remember that not every problem requires the same solution, just because something is considered “best of breed” or “best in the market” doesn’t mean it’s the best solution for you and your organization.

Sometimes the answer may be as simple as doing a better job leveraging your current systems and software. The key is simple: find the solution that truly fits your needs and objectives. This will save you money, energy, and, most importantly, time.

As I move into year two, I’m excited to see how procurement continues to evolve. The industry is shifting from transactional efficiency to strategic enablement, and Pure Procurement wants to be at the forefront of that change. My role in growth is to ensure that more practitioners in the space have access to the actionable insights, education, and resources they need to succeed and grow as professionals.

Procurement transformation is not a sprint; it’s a repeat game with no finish line.

And after one year, my playbook is clear: start with clarity, invest in relationships, and stay grounded in reality. That’s how we grow — in procurement, and in life.

What lessons did you learn this year?