During this episode, Santosh is joined by Conrad Snover, CEO of ProcureAbility. Conrad explores the evolving role of procurement in the utility sector. He also discusses the importance of sustainable procurement—focusing on both security of supply and responsible practices—alongside the challenges and opportunities brought by electrification, renewable energy, and increased demand. The conversation highlights the need for supply chain resilience, especially in the wake of COVID-19, and emphasizes the value of optionality and risk management. Listeners will gain insights into how procurement can drive value, adapt to industry shifts, and why even simple tools like Excel remain indispensable for procurement professionals. Don’t miss this great conversation.
Highlights from their conversation include:
- Overview of ProcureAbility (0:41)
- Conrad’s Career Journey (2:04)
- Sustainable Procurement: Definition & Implementation (4:01)
- Sustainability Trends in Utilities (6:30)
- Procurement in the Utility Sector: Fundamentals (8:36)
- Utility Industry Structure & Financial Model (9:21)
- Procurement’s Role in Utility Operations (12:09)
- Skills Shift: IoT, Cybersecurity, and Construction (16:48)
- Complexity of Large-Scale Energy Projects (18:05)
- Supply Chain Resilience & COVID-19 Lessons (19:35)
- Current Material Shortages & Integrated Supply Chain (23:24)
- Procurement’s Strategic Value in Contracting (25:35)
- Risk Management Lessons from Mountaineering (27:16)
- Final Thoughts and Takeaways (29:36)
Dynamo is a VC firm led by supply chain and mobility specialists that focus on seed-stage, enterprise startups.
Find out more at: https://www.dynamo.vc/
