
Love Procurement: The Podcast · 2026-06-09 · 34 min
Direct materials sourcing sits at the center of operational performance, profitability, and supply chain resilience. Because even a single disruption can create ripple effects across both production and revenue, companies increasingly view direct materials sourcing not as a transactional activity, but as a cross-functional discipline that requires deep collaboration, strong data visibility, disciplined supplier management, and ongoing transformation enabled by technology and process improvement. In this episode of the #LoveProcurement podcast, host Kelly Barner welcomes Douglas Keeley, Ivalua's Director of Product Marketing, to the show. With more than two decades of relevant experience he offers a practical, supply-chain-first perspective to the evolving role of procurement in manufacturing and product development. Douglas and Kelly discuss the unique complexities and meaningful opportunities associated with transformed direct material sourcing: Why direct materials sourcing has become a strategic priority amid supply chain disruption, geopolitical uncertainty, and increasing pressure for resilience.