How will procurement in 2030 look like

In a forward-looking feature on procurement in 2030, Leo Peter Charles, Founder & Managing Director of Jane Solutions, offered a strategic view of how technology, automation, and geopolitics will reshape global sourcing and supply chain management. He outlined how AI-driven ERP systems will transform procurement into a fully autonomous, data-backed process—from vendor due diligence to freight coordination—making just-in-time deliveries more reliable.

Charles emphasized the growing role of robotics in warehouse operations, predicting faster processing, better inventory management, and the rise of autonomous logistics. He also highlighted the impact of shifting geopolitical alliances, suggesting the emergence of neutral, robot-run production hubs and digitized regulatory frameworks that reduce compliance bottlenecks. As procurement evolves from a cost-saving function into a predictive, strategic enabler of innovation and resilience, Charles sees human intelligence as a vital complement to automation, ensuring ethical, adaptive decision-making in a rapidly changing global market.