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 the work itself, the roles procurement teams need, and the operating models required to deliver enterprise value in 2026 and beyond.

New Research from The Hackett Group shows that organizations are accelerating digital investment, redesigning workforce structures, and shifting away from transactional throughput toward AI-driven orchestration. But while the promise of exponential productivity is clear, most teams remain underprepared for the necessary changes in governance, talent, cross-functional collaboration, and technology foundations.

In this webinar, Zip’s research and advisory experts break down exactly what leading organizations are doing right now to become AI-ready. You’ll learn how agentic AI is transforming the structure of procurement work, what a modern operating model looks like, and how leaders can bridge critical skill and productivity gaps—while maintaining agility and accountability.

Attendees will leave with a clear, actionable understanding of how to prepare their teams, tech stack, and operating approach for the next era of AI-enabled transformation.

Key Takeaways

1. The biggest drivers behind the shift to AI-enabled procurement operating models
2. How leading organizations are addressing productivity and efficiency gaps without increasing headcount
3. What the future procurement workforce looks like—and the skills rising fastest in demand
4. A practical framework for AI governance, accountability, and human–AI oversight
5. How to redesign roles, processes, and performance measures for AI-driven orchestration
6. A step-by-step approach to evaluate your AI readiness and build a scalable transformation roadmap