Most people outside the field don’t even realize Indirect Procurement exists — yet it quietly drives the majority of a company’s operating spend. In this first full episode of The Procurement Brief, I’m breaking down what Indirect Procurement really is, why it’s so often misunderstood, and why it deserves far more recognition across every organization.

With over three decades leading procurement transformation, I’ve seen how the indirect side powers marketing, HR, IT, facilities, and countless categories that keep a business running. Still, it’s often undervalued because the results are less visible — savings hidden in processes, efficiency, and supplier performance.

In this episode, we’ll explore how Indirect Procurement creates measurable business value, what makes it different from Direct Procurement, and how leaders can elevate their teams to a true strategic role.

Welcome to The Procurement Brief — the new home for professionals who believe Indirect Procurement deserves the spotlight. I’m Patrick Bliss, and after more than 30 years leading procurement transformations across Fortune-level organizations, I’m pulling back the curtain on what really drives performance, savings, and strategic impact.

This podcast is built for indirect sourcing and procurement leaders, analysts, and anyone who wants to understand the hidden engine of business operations. Each episode, we’ll explore how technology, relationships, and strategy come together to elevate Procurement from a cost center to a value-creation powerhouse.

In Episode 0, I’ll share why I created The Procurement Brief, what to expect from future episodes, and how you can join a community that’s reshaping the way organizations think about spend, suppliers, and success.