As technology continues to reshape procurement, it is very easy to forget the vital role in which people will play in its future.
No one can deny the role in which technology is playing, but it is also the workers who are helping. Not only by understanding how to harness tools to improve their companies, but also thinking of new ways in which they can improve and change the latest innovations to improve the lives of others.
There are countless stories that go along the lines of the impact of volatility, and how procurement has shifted to become the driver for strategic resilience, either preventing issues at source or leading businesses through uncertainty.
The Hackett Group’s 2025 Digital World Class Procurement research shows that leading procurement organisations are thriving in times of uncertainty by redefining their role within the enterprise and viewing volatility as an opportunity rather than a threat – but it is the people behind the technology who help to drive these transformations.
While many companies have frozen spending to conserve cash and protect margins, top-performing procurement teams are achieving exceptional outcomes. These leaders deliver 2.6 times higher ROI than their peers, despite operating with 31% fewer staff and 19% lower costs relative to spend.
Their advantage lies in intelligence-driven operating models and the strategic use of technologies such as generative AI, which enable faster execution and greater strategic influence when opportunities emerge.
If you are interested in learning more on the future of procurement technology, a panel will be held with leaders during the Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE: The Middle East Summit, with free tickets available.
According to McKinsey, procurement teams today oversee 50% more spend than they did just five years ago — a clear sign that demand has increased and expectations have grown. At the same time, many teams are being asked to deliver more with fewer resources.
To meet this challenge, organisations are increasingly turning to AI agents to automate routine procurement tasks, allowing teams to concentrate on higher-value work.
The result is a function that's more efficient, agile and strategic. These agents continuously absorb new data to make informed decisions, plan activities, recommend solutions and act autonomously to accelerate processes.
McKinsey states: "They will accelerate the transition to a hybrid workforce where procurement professionals coexist and collaborate with their digital coworkers.
"This shift could result in the procurement function being 25-40% more efficient, according to our analysis, while repurposing team activity from routine tasks to strategic decision making."
This same CPO Executive Forum, one of the top priorities remains organisational talent, and two thirds of the 300 respondents said their companies separate strategic and transactional procurement, enabling teams to focus on more meaningful, value-driven work.
One company which put its people at the heart of its efforts is A.R.M Holding, a UAE-based private investment firm dedicated to creating value and driving positive change for people across the nation – demonstrating how investment firms can deliver tangible, long-term progress.
At the heart of A.R.M. Holding's mission is a commitment to people. By adopting a distinctly human-centred approach, the company has made a meaningful difference through projects spanning real estate, hospitality and healthcare.
In an interview with Business Focus, its Chief Development Officer, Alain Kallas, said the driving force behind the company's future will be its people. Human experience and connection remain a constant thread that ties the organisation and its work together: "Success starts from within.
"We've built a powerhouse of a team that lives and breathes our values. Each person brings a unique strength, and together, we truly understand the people and communities we serve. This isn't just about business, it's about shaping a better future, together."
Alain's colleague, Ahmed Raafat, Associate Director – Supply Chain at A.R.M Holding, will take part in The Future of Procurement Technology at Procurement and Supply Chain LIVE: The Middle East Summit.
Ahmed is an accomplished procurement and supply chain leader with over 20 years of experience shaping large-scale real estate and infrastructure developments across the UAE.
As Associate Director – Supply Chain at A.R.M. Holding, he drives strategic sourcing, sustainable procurement and value-driven supplier partnerships for master planning, mixed-use developments and ultra-luxury projects.
He is a certified MCIPS, MRICS and Harvard-trained Negotiation Mastery professional, recognised for embedding ethics, sustainability and innovation into procurement excellence. Ahmed has led transformative initiatives including digital procurement adoption, CIPS Ethics Kitemark certification and resilience-driven supply chain frameworks. He is also recognised as one of the Top 30 procurement leaders in the Middle East.
His leadership is defined by building high-performing teams, fostering strategic supplier partnerships and embedding resilience and ethics across the value chain – combining technical expertise and negotiation acumen with a clear vision of procurement as a strategic enabler of business growth.
His vision is to position procurement and supply chain as a catalyst for competitive advantage, ensuring projects not only meet timelines and budgets but also create lasting impact for stakeholders and communities.
With a packed agenda and stand-out speakers, the Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE: The Middle East Summit stands out for its breadth of coverage – CSCOs, CPOs and CSOs alike will all take something valuable away with them.
Whether you are refining supplier networks, developing digital tools or embedding ESG priorities, the event offers direct, practical guidance.
Registration is open through the event agenda page, where attendees can also customise their experience. Plus, there’s no travel needed – just insight streamed straight to your screen.
Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE: The Middle East Summit
Dates: 3–4 February 2026
Format: Virtual
Location: Online
Register for free: https://next.brella.io/join/SPSCDUBAI
Head of Procurement and Supply Chain
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Why People are Central Procurement Technology's Future – Procurement Magazine
