Inside Zip: Matt Hardin on people-first procurement
Learn why Zip’s Director of Advisory thinks user adoption is the key to success.
At Zip, we know that procurement transformation isn’t achieved through technology alone—it requires deep expertise, and a commitment to guiding each customer’s unique path to peak performance.
This is why we’re proud to introduce our team of seasoned leaders, each bringing decades of procurement experience from industry giants like Apple, NASA, Discover Financial, and more.
Our team of experts have dedicated their careers to understanding and overcoming the toughest challenges in procurement, and now they’re here at Zip to do the same for you. From pioneering strategic end-user workflows to demonstrating process efficiencies gained through cutting-edge orchestration, Zip’s team of procurement leaders embody the spirit of smarter spend.
Meet Matt Hardin
Role: Director of Advisory at Zip
Former Top Role: Head of Procurement at Grafana
What inspired you to join Zip and contribute your expertise?
It was the focus that Zip had on people. As a former customer at Grafana, the services and support component I experienced from Zip—when combined with the exceptional technology—was so compelling I had to join.
Can you share a memorable success story of an impactful project from your time in procurement?
The best procurement stories I have always revolve around impacting my stakeholders in a positive way. Rolling Zip out at Grafana and hearing the comments about how easy procurement was, and how much people appreciated that guided experience, was one of the highlights of my career.
What advice would you give to companies looking to elevate their procurement strategies today?
Focus on people, collect feedback, and spend energy on process mapping. Technology is only as good as the processes that are housed in it.
What sets Zip apart in the market from your perspective as a procurement expert?
Usability. In decentralized procurement environments, user adoption reigns supreme as the metric that drives all others.
Which skills or focus areas are going to be most important for the future leaders of procurement?
Become more specialized. We will see a fragmentation of roles as we move forward with a lot of basic stuff being automated. Teams need to continue to learn new skills and ways to provide strategic value.
Ready to work with us?
It's time to find out how Zip can transform your procurement processes. Connect with our expert team to learn more.
