CPO Outlook 2025 Themes
Agenda structure to enable the most possible experience exchange
| October 15th – Day 1 Time (times can be subject to change) | |||
| 08:00 | Registration open | ||
| 08:45 | CPO Outlook 2025 opening | ||
| 09:10 | Market overview what is new since 2024? | ||
| 09:40 | Keynote enabled by Prewave | ||
| 10:10 | Break | ||
| 10:40 | Keynote enabled by Coupa | ||
| 10:10 | Transition time to Theme Discussions I | Round-table discussions 1-10 | |
| 10:20 | Theme Discussions I | ||
| 11:00 | Transition time to Theme Discussions II | Round-table discussions 1-10 (same topics as TD I) | |
| 11:10 | Theme Discussions II | ||
| 12:00 | Lunch | ||
| 13:00 | Keynote enabled by Ivalua | ||
| 13:30 | Transition time to Theme Discussions III | ||
| 13:40 | Theme Discussions III | Round-table discussions 11-20 | |
| 14:25 | Break | ||
| 15:00 | Theme Discussions IV | Round-table discussions 11-20 (same topics as TD IV) | |
| 16:15 | Transition time to Main Plenum | ||
| 16:25 | From Procurement to Global Supplier Management: Rewiring Procurement for the Next Era | Why this matters: Huso is leading a fundamental transformation at Estée Lauder — moving from traditional procurement toward a holistic global supplier management model. This shift is more than rebranding; it reflects a structural and mindset change, where procurement is embedded across the value chain, not just managing cost but enabling innovation, resilience, and ESG performance. Drawing from complex multi-regional operations and a real-time “digital stress test,” Huso will share lessons learned in redesigning processes, technology, and governance to meet modern demands. Key points Huso will explore: How global supplier management reframes the role and reach of procurement What it takes to align technology, operations, and governance across regions Why this transformation goes beyond tools — and starts with mindset and people How to balance global governance with regional agility | Huso Hasanovic Executive Director Digital Sourcing & Procurement Services The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. |
| 17:00 | End of Day 1 & Time for Drinks! | ||
| 18:30 | Dinner (registration required) |
| October 16th – Day 2 Time (times can be subject to change) | |||
| 08:30 | Registration open | ||
| 09:00 | Day 2 open! | ||
| 09:10 | Keynote | ||
| 09:40 | EBG | Xperience STHLM re-cap | Panel with reflections from Stockholm | |
| 10:15 | Break | ||
| 10:40 | EBG | Xperience GBG re-cap How do you build a sourcing process that sees, shares and acts on supplier risk? … How do you structure supplier risk management for real action — not just awareness? | Why this matters: Procurement today must go beyond transactional excellence — it must become a strategic enabler of resilience. At Electrolux, supplier risk is not handled in isolation. It is embedded in the sourcing process and anchored upon standard processes, data availability and mitigation actions. With global exposure to geopolitical shifts, material scarcity, and emerging sustainability regulations, Electrolux is advancing how risk is defined, shared, and used in real sourcing decisions. This keynote explores how procurement contributes to this enterprise-wide effort by integrating risk awareness, decision ownership, and operational response — across the lifecycle. What will be shared: What role procurement plays in building a resilient supply base How strategic, operational, and sustainability risks are monitored and integrated into sourcing decisions Who takes ownership at each level — from sourcing teams to enterprise risk oversight What Electrolux has learned from combining global governance with practical action at the category level … Why this matters: Awareness of supplier risk has grown — but turning that awareness into consistent, organization-wide action is a different challenge. Procurement teams face an overwhelming volume of signals, often unclear ownership, and tools that don’t scale beyond pilot groups. Aneesh Venkataraman shares how his team tackled this by building a structured, tech-enabled, and enterprise-wide supplier risk management program. With a clear governance model, integrated internal and external data, and user-friendly tracking tools, the team moved from fragmented spreadsheets to a scalable system. This keynote also explores the realities of rollout — the challenges in adoption, the unexpected wins, and what still lies ahead. What will be shared: What core components made up the operational risk model — data, tooling, and governance How implementation was scaled across business units and functions Who needed to be involved — and what slowed down (or sped up) engagement What outcomes have been achieved — and what challenges remain in embedding risk discipline | Building on discussions during EBG | Xperience GBG Valerie Tay (Procurement Program Manager), Davide Bon (Procurement Program Manager) and Mirela Boldu (Director, Procurement PMO) — leading the development of Electrolux Group’s Supplier Risk Management Program. Winner: Electrolux Group Operational Excellence award in 2023 for Supplier Cyber Risk initiative. Shortlisted: World Procurement Awards in the Risk & Resilience category for 2024 and 2025. & Aneesh Venkataraman Director ProcureX Dentsply Sirona |
| 11:10 | Keynote | ||
| 11:40 | EBG | Xperience CPH re-cap | Panel with reflections from Copenhagen | |
| 12:15 | Lunch | ||
| 13:15 | Focused Theme Discussions I-IV | Workshops | |
| 14:10 | Transition time to FTD V-VIII | ||
| 14:20 | Focused Theme Discussions V-VIII | Workshops | |
| 15:10 | Transition time back to Main Plenum | ||
| 15:20 | Final Keynote | ||
| 15:50 | Wrap up of CPO Outlook 2025 | ||
| 16:00 | The End see you later! |
Transform while performing.
Procurement leaders today must balance performance, transformation, compliance, and innovation — all at once. At CPO Outlook 2025, we explore nine strategic focus areas shaping the global procurement agenda — supported by insights from EY, Hackett, BCG, GEP and McKinsey. The data points are estimated and deducted by EBG – see each study for verification.
Strategic Leadership & Value Creation
Themes focused on mindset, organizational influence, and procurement’s evolving role in business strategy.
- From Fragmented to Forward
→ Positioning procurement as a strategic, insight-driven partner - Leadership Under Pressure
→ Leading confidently through uncertainty and constant change - Operating Model Redesign
→ Redefining roles, structures, and governance to scale performance
Digital & AI-Driven Transformation
Themes exploring the impact, implementation, and scaling of digital tools and GenAI in procurement.
- GenAI & Intelligent Automation
→ Moving from pilots to performance across categories and processes - Digital Risk, Cloud & Compliance
→ Managing exposure and accountability in a platform-first world
People, Skills & Collaboration
Themes addressing evolving capabilities, team design, and supplier relationships.
- Talent, Skills & Role Evolution
→ Building future-ready teams while maintaining performance - Procurement Excellence & Supplier Lifecycle
→ Creating value through structured SRM and lifecycle visibility
Risk, Resilience & Sustainability
Themes that confront today’s most pressing challenges in a volatile world.
- Resilience and Risk
→ Proactively preparing for disruptions, regulations, and volatility - Indirect Procurement Mastery
→ Bringing visibility and control to fragmented, high-leakage spend
Theme 1: From Fragmented to Forward — Procurement as a Strategic Navigator
Why it matters:
Procurement must evolve from siloed, reactive functions into integrated, insight-driven partners. But most leaders lack real-time visibility, cross-functional alignment, and influence at the strategy table.
Insight:
Only 24% of CPOs say they have the data and tools needed for strategic decision-making.
– EY Global CPO Survey 2025
Discussion prompts:
- What prevents procurement from being seen as a strategic business partner?
- How can leaders create visibility using fragmented systems and data?
- Who owns procurement insights — and should that change?
- To what extent can procurement influence upstream business priorities?
Theme 2: GenAI and Intelligent Automation — From Hype to Integration
Why it matters:
Generative AI and automation can unlock real value, but most organizations are stuck in pilot mode. The opportunity lies in structured scaling — with use cases, governance, and leadership.
Insight:
80% of CPOs plan to use GenAI, but only 36% have started implementation.
– EY Global CPO Survey 2025
Discussion prompts:
- What GenAI use cases are ready to scale in procurement today?
- How can we implement AI without overwhelming teams or compliance?
- Who should lead GenAI adoption — procurement, IT, or both?
- To what extent is your team and data ecosystem ready for AI?
Theme 3: Talent, Skills & Role Evolution — The Future-Ready Procurement Team
Why it matters:
Digital transformation is accelerating, but hiring and development still focus on legacy roles. Leaders must rebuild the procurement skillset — and support evolving career paths.
Insight:
84% of CPOs say talent development is critical to value creation, yet few have a clear roadmap.
– EY Global CPO Survey 2025
Discussion prompts:
- What capabilities are missing from your team today?
- How can you upskill while managing workload and change?
- Who is ready to lead digital, ESG, or AI transformation?
- To what extent does your current structure reflect the future of procurement?
Theme 4: Sustainability in Action — Accountability, Visibility & Shared Value
Why it matters:
Sustainability is no longer just a reporting line or a brand value — it’s a regulatory, reputational, and operational mandate. From the Omnibus Directive to CSRD, DPP, and EUDR, procurement is expected to lead on traceability, data quality, and supplier alignment across multiple tiers. But true sustainability requires more than compliance. It demands collaboration, investment, and new ways of defining value — including who bears the cost: buyers, suppliers, or customers.
Insight:
74% of procurement leaders believe sustainability is critical to competitiveness, but only 28% say their supplier data is ready for regulatory scrutiny.
– Source: CPO Outlook Research + BCG/WEF 2025
Discussion prompts:
- How do you manage sustainability demands across supply tiers with limited visibility?
- Who owns ESG data, compliance costs, and performance measurement?
- How do you navigate the gap between long-term sustainability goals and short-term margin pressure?
- To what extent can procurement drive sustainability without losing agility or increasing supplier burden?
Theme 5: Resilience and Risk — Building Control in a World That Won’t Slow Down
Why it matters:
From economic volatility to ESG regulation, procurement is on the frontlines of risk and continuity. But most organizations lack real-time data and forward-looking frameworks.
Insight:
Resilience ranks among the top 3 procurement priorities, yet only 35% feel equipped to manage it effectively.
– EY + Hackett 2025
Discussion prompts:
- What risks are becoming systemic across your categories and geographies?
- How can you balance agility and compliance without increasing complexity?
- Who owns supply continuity and mitigation strategy?
- To what extent do you use scenario planning to prepare for future shocks?
Theme 6: Procurement Excellence & Supplier Lifecycle — From Tactical Spend to Strategic Partnerships
Why it matters:
Organizations are under pressure to manage cost, risk, innovation, and ESG — all through suppliers. Yet most lack structured supplier segmentation, performance management, or lifecycle visibility.
Insight:
71% of leaders believe supplier collaboration will drive innovation — but only 23% have full lifecycle insight.
– Hackett + EY 2025
Discussion prompts:
- What defines SRM maturity in your organization?
- How can supplier data and relationships drive value, compliance, and performance?
- Who owns the supplier ecosystem and lifecycle visibility?
- To what extent are suppliers integrated into strategic planning?
Theme 7: Operating Model Redesign — Performing While Transforming
Why it matters:
CPOs are being asked to do more with less — requiring new ways of working, leaner governance, and smarter tech integration. Traditional procurement structures are under strain.
Insight:
Procurement faces a 9% “efficiency gap” — 10% workload growth vs. 1% budget growth.
– Hackett CPO Agenda 2025
Discussion prompts:
- What must change in your procurement model to stay fit for 2026?
- How can you simplify processes without losing control or value?
- Who owns operating model transformation — and are they empowered?
- To what extent have you shifted decision rights, roles, or platforms?
Theme 8: Indirect Procurement Mastery — Visibility and Control Across the Tail
Why it matters:
Indirect spend — especially services, SaaS, and tail — remains opaque, fragmented, and unmanaged in many companies. Yet it holds significant potential for value, control, and risk reduction.
Insight:
Only 13% of companies have digitized end-to-end indirect procurement.
– BCG Indirect Spend 2025
Discussion prompts:
- What categories or processes in indirect spend are still unmanaged?
- How can you bring structure without blocking flexibility?
- Who owns indirect governance — and do they have authority?
- To what extent is your indirect landscape visible and optimized?
Theme 9: Leadership Under Pressure — Confidence Without Clarity
Why it matters:
Procurement leaders must steer teams through transformation, performance pressure, and uncertainty — all while being asked to set direction without full visibility.
Insight:
75% of CPOs say they’re under increasing pressure to lead transformation without full strategic clarity.
– GEP Outlook 2025
Discussion prompts:
- What mindset shifts are helping leaders thrive under pressure?
- How can you balance transparency with decisiveness?
- Who supports leadership alignment and calm in your organization?
- To what extent can you lead transformation while managing ambiguity?
Special Formats to Ensure High Engagement & Real-World Learning
Deep-Dive Roundtables: Senior procurement leaders share insights in confidential, interactive discussions. 
Practical Insights: Real-world experiences—what worked, what didn’t and why. 
Leadership Workshops: Hands-on training for procurement teams on AI, sustainability and risk management. 
Peer Benchmarking Sessions: Compare strategies with other procurement leaders in the Nordics.
Theme Discussion example overview Day 1
| Topic | Theme | Session Block (TD 1 before lunch & TD 2 after lunch) | |
| How can we see and act on supplier risk — beyond tier 1? | Why it matters: Most procurement teams still focus their risk management efforts on tier 1 suppliers — but real vulnerabilities often lie deeper. With hidden ESG violations, disruptions, and dependencies in tier 2 and tier 3, the lack of visibility puts business continuity and reputation at stake. Prewave enables proactive, real-time insights across supply tiers using AI and global media scanning — but integrating this data into decision-making is still a key challenge. Discuss with peers: How are you uncovering risk beyond tier 1 — and what’s working? What’s preventing multi-tier risk data from influencing procurement actions? Who should own sub-tier visibility and accountability in your organization? | Theme 5 – Resilience and Risk | Prewave | TD1 |
| Supplier Data Mastery: Turning Procurement into a Strategic Powerhouse | Data is the backbone of modern procurement, amplified by generative AI. The golden record—a single, reliable source of truth—is more critical than ever. As the steward of supplier data, procurement holds a strategic advantage in today’s dynamic business landscape. How do you take full advantage of this position? And how do you make sure it keeps up with changing requirements? Why It Matters: Ivalua’s unified platform streamlines procurement, enhancing data accuracy and operational efficiency. By consolidating processes, it drives strategic decision-making and agility in a competitive environment. Discuss with peers: How does a unified procurement platform enhance data accuracy and improve strategic decisions? What obstacles arise when integrating fragmented procurement processes? What steps can organizations take to ensure effective adoption of integrated procurement systems? | Theme 1: From Fragmented to Forward | Ivalua | TD1 |
| AgenticAI-Driven Procurement: Transforming Operations Through Intelligent Automation | Why it matters: Zycus leverages AI to automate procurement processes, enhancing efficiency and reducing errors. This transformation allows procurement professionals to focus on strategic initiatives and innovation. Discuss with peers: AI/GenAI/AgenticAI – What are the differences and how can procurement benefit? What procurement processes are most suitable for AI-driven automation? How does intelligent automation impact procurement team roles and responsibilities? | Theme 2: GenAI and Intelligent Automation | Zycus | TD1 |
| Shared Ownership: Managing Digital Risk and Supplier Platform Exposure | Theme 4: Digital Risk, Cloud & Compliance | TD1 | |
| Procurement in the Storm: Enhancing Supply Chain Resilience | Theme 5: Resilience and Risk | TD1 | |
| Taming the Tail: Visibility and Control in Indirect Procurement | Theme 8: Indirect Procurement Mastery | TD1 | |
| Beyond Savings: Strengthening Supplier Relationships for Strategic Impact | Theme 6: Procurement Excellence & Supplier Lifecycle | TD1 | |
| Scaling with Sense: Redesigning Procurement Operating Models | Theme 7: Operating Model Redesign | TD1 | |
| Confidence Without Clarity: Leading Through Uncertainty | Theme 9: Leadership Under Pressure | TD1 | |
| Measuring Up: Benchmarking Procurement Excellence | Theme 6: Procurement Excellence & Supplier Lifecycle | TD1 | |
| What does your procurement tech stack really enable — and what gets in the way? | Why this matters: Procurement is flooded with new tools, but integration, usability, and strategy alignment remain messy. Huso refers to this as running a “digital stress test” — uncovering the gaps, inefficiencies, and missed opportunities hidden inside seemingly modern tech stacks. As organizations explore AI, orchestration layers, and custom apps, the real conversation isn’t about what’s possible, but what’s sustainable and effective. Discuss with peers: What’s the hardest part about making your digital procurement landscape “talk”? Where have your tools created value — or frustration? Who should own the tech roadmap: procurement, IT, or someone new? What role do GenAI and low-code tools play in filling today’s capability gaps? | Theme: Theme 2 – GenAI & Intelligent Automation + Theme 4 – Digital Risk, Cloud & Compliance | Estee Lauder | TD2 |
| How do you build a high-impact indirect procurement team—without creating a new silo? | Why this matters: At Hempel, the Indirect Procurement team is evolving from a fragmented setup to a professionalized structure with category ownership and global accountability. But as Michael notes, building procurement excellence can unintentionally create a new silo unless it’s paired with strong cross-functional collaboration and alignment. This roundtable invites peers to reflect on how to turn operational transformation into real business impact—without losing the glue between teams, systems, and strategy. What to explore with peers: What does it take to build up a functional procurement structure from a low baseline? How do you avoid creating silos when standing up new operating models? Where and how do you embed collaboration and visibility across functions? | Theme 1: From Fragmented to Forward Theme 6: Procurement Excellence & Supplier Lifecycle Theme 7: Operating Model Redesign | Hempel | TD2 |
| How do you connect insights, ownership, and action across the supplier lifecycle? | Why this matters: Managing 20,000+ suppliers — with hundreds added yearly — in a decentralized organization is no small feat. Tuula and her team are building the bridge between business-side realities and centralized procurement visibility. But compliance pressure, growing supplier risk, and the challenge of collecting both internal and external data (that isn’t always digital) make true supplier lifecycle management difficult. To succeed, procurement must build systems, processes, and relationships that link strategy with execution — turning insight into action and ownership into impact. What will be discussed: How do you ensure risk insights (financial, ESG, delivery, internal intel) are captured and acted on across teams? What makes SRM truly “lifecycle-based” — and how can responsibilities be effectively shared in a decentralized setup? How can internal performance experience and external supplier data be merged to gain visibility beyond Tier 1? | Theme 5: Resilience and Risk Theme 6: Procurement Excellence & Supplier Lifecycle Theme 1: From Fragmented to Forward | Konecranes | TD2 |
| Cloud Power: Harmonizing Spend and Governance Through Tech | Theme 4: Digital Risk, Cloud & Compliance | TD2 | |
| Freeing Capacity: Automating Tactical Procurement Tasks | Theme 2: GenAI and Intelligent Automation | TD2 | |
| Lifecycle Precision: Boosting SRM with the Right Platforms | Theme 6: Procurement Excellence & Supplier Lifecycle | TD2 | |
| Transparency with Purpose: Leveraging ESG Ratings in Supplier Selection | Theme 6: Procurement Excellence & Supplier Lifecycle | TD2 | |
| Digital Momentum: Aligning Transformation with Strategic Procurement Goals | Theme 1: From Fragmented to Forward | TD2 | |
| Better Decisions, Faster: Enhancing Procurement Strategies with Data | Theme 2: GenAI and Intelligent Automation | TD2 | |
| Procurement Innovation Labs: Creating Space to Test and Scale Ideas | Theme 3: Talent, Skills & Role Evolution | TD2 |
Focused Theme Discussion Example Overview Day 2
| Workshop Topic | Theme | Session Block | Tied to Xperience |
| Mitigating Third-Party Risk with Real-Time Insights | Theme 5: Resilience and Risk | Workshop 1 | Follow-up from EBG | Xperience Gothenburg |
| Embedding ESG into Category Strategy & Supplier Selection | Theme 6: Procurement Excellence & Supplier Lifecycle | Workshop 2 | Follow-up from EBG | Xperience Gothenburg |
| Leveraging AI & Automation for Tactical Process Offloading | Theme 2: GenAI and Intelligent Automation | Workshop 3 | Follow-up from EBG | Xperience Copenhagen |
| Rebuilding Procurement for Indirect Spend Control | Theme 8: Indirect Procurement Mastery | Workshop 4 | Follow-up from EBG | Xperience Copenhagen |
| Turning Procurement Data into Predictive Insights | Theme 1: From Fragmented to Forward | Workshop 5 | Follow-up from EBG | Xperience Gothenburg |
| Transforming the Operating Model for Cross-Functional Integration | Theme 7: Operating Model Redesign | Workshop 6 | Follow-up from EBG | Xperience Stockholm |
| Building Leadership Capacity in Uncertain Times | Theme 9: Leadership Under Pressure | Workshop 7 | Follow-up from EBG | Xperience Stockholm |
| Future-Proofing Procurement Capabilities Through Skills Development | Theme 3: Talent, Skills & Role Evolution | Workshop 8 | Follow-up from EBG | Xperience Gothenburg |
The annual agenda is continuously updated – changes beyond EBGs control may occur
On-Site Stockholm
You will get a link sent to you via which you start choosing what Theme Discussions and Workshops you want to join. You may change your mind also during the summit if there is space left. Limited seats!
An EBG summit consist of informal yet to the point round table discussions, workshops, keynotes and dinner. An EBG summit can only be experienced in person. You who join CPO Outlook in Stockholm create your own day based on your interests. EBG have enabled such networking summits since 2010.