828: How to Turn Market Chaos Into Procurement’s Strategic Advantage W/ Adam Collins

"I believe if you can define it, you can source it. And if you can source it, you can auction it." - Adam Collins, Head of Sales, Esker

Procurement teams are navigating unprecedented global disruptions, from tariffs and geopolitical tensions to supply chain instabilities that refuse to settle. 

What if these chaotic conditions actually present procurement's greatest opportunity to demonstrate strategic value?

In this episode, Philip Ideson and Kelly Barner are joined by Adam Collins from Esker to explore how procurement can leverage fundamental strategic sourcing techniques to not just survive but thrive in turbulent market conditions.

Adam’s procurement technology experience is predominantly focused on source-to-contract capabilities that offer practical ways to turn market chaos into competitive advantage.

In this episode, Adam discusses:

• Why transparency with suppliers during market engagement drives better outcomes than secrecy
• The critical importance of being proactive rather than reactive when markets are unstable 
• How to challenge traditional definitions of "addressable spend" and uncover hidden opportunities 
• Strategic approaches to payment timing that support working capital while serving as negotiating levers 
• Why keeping a calm head and making fact-based decisions separates successful procurement teams from the rest

Links:

• Adam Collins on LinkedIn
• Watch: Sourcing Strategically in Chaotic Conditions
• Subscribe to This Week in Procurement
• Subscribe to Art of Procurement on YouTube