The AI-Ready Procurement Operating Model: How Leaders Are Redesigning for 2026

Procurement is entering a structural transformation—and AI is the catalyst. Agentic and generative AI are no longer incremental productivity tools; they are reshaping procurement work itself, redefining roles, and forcing a rethink of operating models in 2026 and beyond.

In this session, we dive deeper into new research from The Hackett Group on AI-enabled procurement operating models. The research shows that while organizations are accelerating digital investment and pursuing AI-driven orchestration, many remain underprepared for the foundational changes required across governance, workforce design, cross-functional collaboration, and technology architecture.

Unlike predictions-focused sessions, this webinar is grounded in benchmark data, research findings, and proven frameworks. Zip’s research and advisory experts will walk through what leading organizations are doing right now to become AI-ready—how they are redesigning roles, closing productivity gaps without increasing headcount, and building operating models that scale with AI while maintaining accountability.

Attendees will leave with a clear, actionable understanding of how to evaluate their AI readiness and apply Hackett’s research-backed insights to build a practical transformation roadmap.

Who should attend:

1. Enterprise & Commercial procurement leaders
2. CPOs, VPs, Directors of Procurement
3. Procurement Operations & Transformation leaders
4. Finance and shared services leaders partnering with procurement
   

Recommended audience: ENT / COMM + Procurement

Related research:

The Hackett Group's framework for AI-ready procurement teams