The Podcasts Procurement Leaders Should Be Listening To

By GROUP CPO

The expectations placed on procurement leaders have changed significantly.

Today’s CPOs and Heads of Procurement are no longer only expected to be experts in sourcing, contracts and cost management. They are being asked to operate as enterprise leaders; influencing strategy, managing risk, understanding technology, building supplier ecosystems and creating measurable business value.

As procurement’s role continues to evolve, continuous learning has become one of the biggest differentiators for leaders looking to stay ahead.

The strongest procurement executives I speak with are naturally curious. They are not just learning about procurement; they are learning about business, leadership, technology and the broader forces shaping their organisations.

Here are some podcasts worth adding to your rotation:

Procurement & Supply Chain

Art of Procurement One of the leading global procurement podcasts, featuring conversations with CPOs, procurement executives and industry experts.

Why listen: It explores how procurement functions are evolving beyond traditional sourcing, with discussions on transformation, operating models, supplier partnerships, AI and value creation.

The Procurement Show A practical podcast covering the realities of procurement today, from supplier relationships and negotiation through to procurement technology and capability.

Why listen: A good reminder that while procurement’s mandate is expanding, strong commercial foundations remain critical.

Transforming Procurement Focused on procurement transformation and the changing role of the function.

Why listen: Relevant for leaders thinking about operating models, digital enablement and how procurement creates greater influence across the business.

Broader Business & Leadership Thinking

The best procurement leaders increasingly think beyond procurement.

They understand what is keeping CEOs and CFOs awake at night.

HBR IdeaCast

From Harvard Business Review, this podcast explores leadership, strategy, culture, decision making and organisational change.

Why listen: Moving into senior procurement leadership requires the transition from functional expert to enterprise leader.

The McKinsey Podcast

Covers major trends impacting organisations globally, including AI, productivity, transformation, talent and economic shifts.

Why listen: Procurement leaders need to understand the same strategic issues being discussed at executive tables.

Masters of Scale

Hosted by Reid Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn, this podcast explores how leaders build, innovate and scale organisations.

Why listen: Supplier ecosystems, innovation and partnerships are becoming increasingly important parts of procurement’s value proposition.

Technology & AI

Hard Fork

A technology podcast covering AI, innovation and digital disruption.

Why listen: AI will continue to reshape procurement. Leaders don’t need to become technologists, but they do need to understand how technology is changing work, suppliers and business models.

The future procurement leader will not be defined only by technical expertise.

The leaders that will stand out will be those who stay curious, continuously learn and build capability beyond their function.

The next generation of CPOs need to understand business as well as procurement.