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The energy was electric at ISM World 2025 in Orlando, Florida this week, and Levelpath was right in the thick of it, soaking up game-changing insights that have us buzzing about procurement’s incredible future. This year’s event provided a glimpse into procurement’s next chapter, where AI innovation meets opportunity and forward-thinking teams are already writing the playbook for tomorrow.
The buzz throughout the three day event was real, procurement professionals were not just curious about AI’s potential, they were eager to see it in action. As a sponsor of ISM World 2025, Levelpath had the perfect opportunity to showcase exactly that, sharing real-world success stories that prove AI-native procurement is happening and available right now.
Themes and Conversations from the Conference
The Levelpath booth was a magnetic hub of activity throughout the event, drawing crowds of curious procurement leaders who were hungry to understand how AI-native solutions could transform their operations. Our fully digital experience showcased real customer success stories that resonated powerfully with attendees, from TreeHouse Foods’ 200% ROI breakthrough to PADNOS being able to 5X their sourcing capacity without adding headcount.
The energy was infectious as visitors engaged with interactive demonstrations, asked pointed questions about implementation, and shared their own procurement challenges. What struck us most was the shift in conversations: executives were not asking “if” AI could help their teams, but rather “how quickly” they could get started. The steady stream of engaged leaders, in-depth discussions, and follow-up requests made it clear that the procurement community is ready to move beyond pilot programs and embrace transformative, AI-powered solutions that deliver measurable results.
How Procurement Leaders Are Putting AI to Work
Levelpath seized the moment to demonstrate exactly how that’s happening, with our President and Co-founder Stan Garber leading a packed session alongside Grace Zacharek, a champion of modern, strategic, and digital-first procurement, and Jim O’Rourke, CPO. Together they shared six practical ways AI is already transforming procurement at leading organizations. Each area was brought to life with examples of applying AI today to simplify complexity, increase speed, and scale results.
- Supercharging Efficiency
Here is the reality every procurement leader knows: you are being asked to deliver more without getting more resources. Budgets stay flat while workloads explode, creating an efficiency gap that traditional approaches simply are challenged by. AI increases capacity by automating manual work, guiding users through smart workflows, and analyzing information to provide quick insights. At TreeHouse Foods, the team redesigned its claims process using Levelpath, resulting in an over 200% return on investment in six weeks by increasing throughput and eliminating manual routing. That is the kind of efficiency transformation that turns procurement from a cost center into a profit driver. - Unlocking Hidden Value
AI identifies savings opportunities by improving supplier relationship management, optimizing negotiations, and automating analytical tasks for increased insights and visibility. The technology does not just speed up RFP creation; it intelligently suggests the perfect suppliers based on your historical success patterns. At PADNOS, a lean team used Levelpath to support three times their typical sourcing volume without hiring additional employees. That is not efficiency, that is multiplication of impact. - Making Compliance Effortless
Embedding policies into the procurement workflow helps ensure compliance without creating friction. AI-powered intake routes requests based on category, supplier status, and internal rules, improving accuracy and reducing cycle times. At SiriusXM, procurement teams now manage 90% of IT spend through a centralized, automated intake process that enforces policy and improves stakeholder experience. When compliance becomes invisible, everyone wins. - Preventing Problems Before They Happen
AI mitigates risk by continuously monitoring supplier health, contract compliance, and payment anomalies. It flags potential issues in real time, allowing teams to act before problems escalate. For many procurement teams, AI has helped to prevent duplicate or mistaken payments and reduced fraud risk. At TreeHouse, this proactive approach helped eliminate supplier leakage and enabled much earlier intervention in claims and contract tracking, turning risk management from damage control into competitive advantage. - Building Stronger Supplier Relationships
Great supplier relationships begin with accurate data and effective collaboration. AI improves supplier management by creating enriched profiles, enabling supplier collaboration, and driving bids to best-fit suppliers. Qualtrics saw this transformation firsthand. By implementing intelligent supplier records, they reduced new supplier requests by more than 30% within just two months. When your existing suppliers can better meet your needs, everyone benefits from stronger, more strategic partnerships. - Scaling at Your Own Pace
Procurement transformation does not require an all-at-once approach. AI-native tools allow organizations to start small, demonstrate results, and expand adoption at their own pace which leads to longer term use. GATX exemplifies this strategy perfectly. They began with one sourcing workflow, achieved early success, then extended the platform across legal, finance, and operations within six months. That is how you build momentum that lasts.
Why This Conversation Matters More Than Ever
Procurement is at a critical point of change. As expectations increase and resources remain limited, teams are being asked to deliver strategic outcomes, manage risk, and generate value with greater speed and accuracy. Legacy systems and fragmented processes aren’t just inadequate, they are actively holding back your potential.
AI can provide more than simple automation. It enables a smarter, more unified way of working that empowers stakeholders, supports compliance, and reveals insights that may otherwise go unnoticed. The discussions at ISM Global 2025 made this clear. Procurement teams that adopt AI today are not only improving efficiency, they are reshaping the role of procurement across the enterprise.
The question is not whether AI will transform procurement. It is whether your team will lead that transformation or be left scrambling to catch up.
Ready to See AI-Native Procurement in Action?
We are so grateful to ISM World 2025 for providing a powerful stage for Levelpath to share its vision for AI-native procurement and to connect with leaders in the space. Our session brought real examples and actionable insights to life, while conversations at the booth made it clear that teams are ready for solutions that combine intelligence with usability.
Procurement professionals want solutions that combine genuine intelligence with exceptional usability. They want to operate with clarity, speed, and flexibility. Most importantly, they want to transform procurement from a necessary function into a strategic advantage. Levelpath is excited to be part of that momentum and excited to continue supporting the teams building the future of procurement.
At Levelpath, we focus on upscaling procurement with AI-native tools so teams can operate with clarity, speed, and flexibility. Request a demo today or join one of our monthly sessions to see how we can help make procurement a delight.
–Rose
