In this episode of the Smarter Sourcing podcast, John speaks with Anna Hammons, Senior Director, Procurement at Sam’s Club, about her day-to-day experience in procurement, as well as what characteristics she looks for when building her team.

Anna also talked about how before the COVID-19 pandemic, contingency planning was to simply “figure it out,” but now it requires much more planning. They also discuss how Sam’s Club is looking to incorporate more technology and to be more sustainable.

Topics discussed:

• What procurement really looks like – it’s more than just purchasing.
• Risk management in the context of adopting new technology and partnering with startups.
• What a procurement leader should look for when building their team.
• How Sam’s Club is looking for ways to be more sustainable while also incorporating new technologies.
• How contingency planning has changed since the COVID-19 pandemic: having a backup is more important than ever.
• What Founder Sam Walton would think of the company if he could see it today.

***The comments are the views of Anna Hammons and do not necessarily reflect the views of Walmart or Sam’s Club***

Guest Quotes: 

“I had always viewed procurement as strictly purchasing, like purchase orders, but I didn’t understand the strategic sourcing element of it. So as I started digging into that and realizing, wow, there’s a lot of complex factors you have to consider when buying, and you really have to dig deep and know a lot about a lot. And that nature of learning for me is so exciting. I feel like every day is a new day where I’m learning more about the business and our customers and our associates. And I just really love the learning aspect of it.”

“Risk management is a big focus for me this year on tech solutions that would empower us there. But I feel pretty strong in the other areas, and I really, I see the value in AI. I also see the risks with AI and what’s to come. But I think the ways in which we are using it are very responsible and very helpful for the business case.”

“Our field execution team is a really great bridge between club-level service and then the corporate office that actually, you know, pays the bills, negotiates the rates and so forth. So having that all in one organization, I think, is improving the service-provider experience.”

“My team exists as a reflection of their dedication to strategic sourcing, but also to better purchasing practices, better supplier relationship management. And so I do not take it lightly that they invested in me and my team.”

Get in touch with Anna Hammons:  

LinkedIn

Website

Get in touch with your host, John Pavia: 

LinkedIn

Listen to more episodes: 

Apple 

Spotify