AI: removing jobs or enabling change?
Georgia Hennessey: The Procurement Manager
Written by: Georgia Hennessey
Georgia Hennessey is a Category Procurement Manager for Arm Limited. The company provides a cutting-edge computing platform that is used by companies such as AWS, Microsoft, Google, Meta, NVIDIA and Samsung to deliver on the promise of AI. Over 325 billion Arm-based devices have been shipped, positioning the company at the forefront of the industry.
Arm introduced AI into its procurement function to automate routine tasks and gain better insights from large volumes of suppliers. Right now, we’re using it for triaging support requests. There are more than 9,000 colleagues across the business, so this is an efficient way for us to streamline requests and get them over to the right team.
We’ve seen positive results. It reduces costs, makes it easy to manage supplier risks, and improves efficiency across the procurement function. From a personal perspective, it reduces time spent doing administrative tasks, and that’s allowed me more time to think and act strategically in my categories.
There are some commonalities in how these tasks are handled. For instance, it’s very important to standardise data, ensure transparent AI models, and involve procurement teams early so they understand and trust AI insights. There also has to be regular monitoring, clear governance and ethical oversight to help manage risks and keep AI use responsible and effective.
A new set of skills
More companies are coming to the same conclusions as Arm and adopting AI across their business models and changing their ways of working. On a personal level, it’s important to stay up to date with AI updates and new introductions in areas that impact your role. That might mean using Microsoft Copilot on Teams calls to help capture the notes and next steps from meetings rather than writing them out and potentially missing key points.
To stay competitive and highly skilled in procurement, you need to adapt to the new work environment that has those tools in it, and that accepts AI. You need to learn how to wield those new skills at the same time as maintaining your own critical thinking skills.
That said, human connection can’t be replaced. Critical thinking and ethical judgement are key components of being a good procurement manager. This is because AI is a great tool, but in procurement functions you also need to be able to develop and grow relationships with your stakeholders. You need to get to the crux of what they need, understand why they need it and then use your skills to add value for them.
"Human connection can’t be replaced"
While AI enhances the way we can manage relationships, it’s up to humans to create, maintain and nurture those relationships. AI supports my role in the background, and I support my stakeholders in the forefront. I show up, I build trust, and invest time and effort in the teams I support.
Human value in an automated world
Procurement is a value-add function. We need to be great people managers with strong critical thinking skills which are things I don’t think can be easily replicated by AI. In order to grow into a procurement manager, people need to be able to develop these skills in the entry-level positions where they can learn.
What advice would I give to someone starting out in this new landscape? Start by learning about supply chains, negotiation, and data analysis, then gain experience through internships or entry-level roles. Building strong communication and relationship skills will also help you thrive in this people-focused, strategic field.
And within that, we all have a responsibility to design and use AI responsibly. Just as importantly, people entering the profession will increasingly need to make sure that AI projects are aligned with sustainability goals like reducing waste, improving efficiency, and supporting ethical decision-making.
Ultimately, AI will create efficiencies and help us save time on manual tasks. That gives all of us the opportunities we need so we can focus on tackling big strategic projects. That’s the mindset at Arm, and the mindset we need as we move forward.
"AI supports my role in the background, and I support my stakeholders in the forefront"
The Brand Champion: Sarah Simpson
“There are still going to be entry-level jobs. They’ll just be different jobs that demand different skills”
The Non-Trade Specialist: Belinda West (MCIPS)
"As AI hits puberty, maybe I'll start relying on it"
The Public Sector Voice: Liam Osborn
"It isn’t AI that’s the risk, so much as how we use it"
The Industry Influencer: Imran Shareef (FCIPS)
"AI is already changing the conversation at the leadership table"
The Tail Spend Guru: Oliver Norman
“What AI is going to do for the procurement industry is elevate people into positions where they can do the jobs that technology can’t”
The Practitioner: Wame Sedirwa (MCIPS)
“We must balance AI’s efficiencies with human oversight”
The Thought Leader: Ram Trivedi (FCIPS)
“Any change brings resistance, and AI is going to bring big changes to our way of life”
The Expert: Joseph A. Yacura
If generative agents are adopted, we could have a supply chain function operating in a ‘lights out’ way by 2028”