Procurement Leaders Evolving into Strategic Business Partners
Procurement leaders play a strategic role in organizations by managing how the company acquires goods, services, technology, and resources from external suppliers. While procurement was once viewed primarily as a cost-control function, modern procurement leadership is increasingly tied to business growth, innovation, risk management, and competitiveness.
Procurement has come a long way from being viewed simply as a function responsible for purchasing goods and services. Today, it plays a larger strategic role within organizations, driven by the growing complexity of global supply chains, ongoing disruptions, rising costs, and increasing expectations around sustainability and responsible business practices.
Simultaneously, advances in technology, data analytics, and AI have given procurement teams greater visibility into spending patterns, supplier performance, and potential risks. As organizations face greater pressure to remain resilient, competitive, and compliant, procurement leaders are increasingly involved in decisions that extend well beyond sourcing and cost management. They work closely with senior executives and cross-functional teams, to help shape business strategy, manage risk, drive innovation, and support the organization's long-term growth objectives.
The current edition of CEOInsights India magazine spotlights procurement leaders from across industries. Through in-depth conversations, we get a clear glimpse at the evolution of the procurement function and much more.
Featured in this edition is Srinivas Acharyulu, the Chief Procurement Officer at Balrampur Chini Mills Limited. With 35 years of experience across fertilisers, cement, and sugar industries, he has led large-scale procurement transformations and major greenfield and brownfield projects.
Joining the list is also Sayanto Bagchi is the Head of Procurement at tyre business division of Himadri Speciality Chemical. Armed with over 10 years of experience in procurement across industries, he has expertise in Raw Material’s, Project which includes CAPEX & MRO.
In this edition we also hear from seasoned procurement and compliance leader, Narasimham PVL. He brings over two decades of experience across technology sourcing, governance, and finance, driving strategic value, risk management, and operational excellence in software organizations.
Read interviews featuring aforementioned procurement leaders to know more about their expertise, journey and leadership insight.
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