Jabil & BizClik Host Chicago Executive Dinner

Procurement Magazine and Supply Chain Digital hosted an Executive Dinner in partnership with Jabil Procurement and Supply Chain Services ahead of Procurement and Supply Chain LIVE: The US Summit. The gathering brought together senior leaders from multiple sectors to discuss challenges facing the industry in 2026.

A drinks reception opened the evening. Attendees included chief procurement officers, supply chain leaders and senior decision-makers managing cost, risk and supplier performance across global operations.

Peter Koehler, Senior Director, Procurement at VYTALOGY, says: "I really enjoyed attending Procurement Magazine's Executive Dinner with Jabil Procurement and Supply Chain Services at Boka. The restaurant offered an outstanding dining experience, and the evening was made even better by engaging, thoughtful conversations with fellow procurement leaders.

"It was a great opportunity to connect, share insights and build meaningful relationships in a relaxed and welcoming setting. Thank you for the opportunity to attend."

Pressure on procurement operations

Discussions explored a shift in how procurement functions operate. Leaders face mounting pressure and addressed multiple challenges including managing cost volatility, maintaining supply continuity, responding to supplier instability and delivering measurable impact at board level.

These challenges no longer exist in isolation. They require integrated approaches that connect procurement decisions across the organisation.

Cost pressure continues across sectors. Leaders noted that cost reduction cannot undermine organisational resilience.

As guests took their seats at Boka in Chicago, conversations turned to sourcing strategies that prioritise cost-to-serve visibility and long-term supplier value over short-term savings.

Supplier networks face disruption

Dennis Evashenk, Consultancy, Mettle Capital Management (Former DoorDash), adds: "The dinner was an exceptional opportunity to connect with Procurement Magazine all-stars and leading industry professionals from across Chicago and the broader region.

"The event was impeccably organised, with strong attention to detail by the staff. It also provided a valuable chance to engage with procurement and supply chain leaders in the area who are typically based remotely."

Global supplier networks continue to experience disruption. Attendees discussed the need for stronger supplier relationships, improved risk visibility and more proactive planning.

There was agreement that reactive approaches no longer suffice. Procurement functions handle growing operational complexity across regions and categories.

Leaders noted the importance of integrated planning, cross-functional collaboration and data-driven decision-making. The ability to manage complexity could define procurement performance.

Strategic value beyond operations

Procurement has moved beyond traditional operational boundaries. The function now delivers business value through revenue protection, cost optimisation with minimal disruption and input on corporate decisions.

Smaller private gatherings support this shift better than large formal events. According to attendees, these settings enable focused discussions and direct peer engagement.

Curated environments facilitate deeper relationship building. They create space for practical dialogue needed to navigate industry complexity.

Jarek Adamkiewicz, Supply Chain Director, Blachford Acoustics Group, says: "It was a valuable opportunity to step away from the day-to-day and build real, human connections with fellow supply chain executives. The conversations were candid, practical and grounded in real challenges, the kind of dialogue that sharpens thinking and drives better decisions."

Jarek notes that sharing perspectives over a meal in a quality setting made it easier to move beyond surface-level networking and form relationships that extend beyond the event.

Hosted by Jabil Procurement and Supply Chain Services’ procurement leadership

The discussion was guided by senior leaders from Jabil Procurement and Supply Chain Services, including:

• Graham Scott, Chief Procurement Officer
• Frank McKay, Chief Supply Chain Officer
• Jeff Austin, VP of Procurement and Supply Chain Services
• Kay Stanish, Sr. Director of Strategy and GTM Operations

Their experience managing complex global supply chains provided context throughout the evening. The Chicago dinner was conducted behind closed doors.

Themes explored reflect challenges defining the procurement landscape in 2026. These include persistent cost pressures, supplier instability and operational complexity.

The event secured nine senior attendees operating at the heart of global supply chain complexity. The target had been six to eight delegates.

This level of engagement could show growing demand for private, senior-level forums where peer-led conversations take place. As procurement leaders face intensifying professional pressure, Procurement Magazine continues to curate these environments to enable connections and insights necessary for navigating future challenges.

Jarek adds: "I'd like to thank the BizClick team for the invitation to this week's executive dinner in Boka, Chicago, on the sidelines of Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE: The US Summit, hosted alongside Jabil Procurement and Supply Chain Services.

"It was a valuable opportunity to step away from the day-to-day and build real, human connections with fellow supply chain executives. The conversations were candid, practical and grounded in real challenges—the kind of dialogue that sharpens thinking and drives better decisions.

"Sharing perspectives over an excellent meal in a great setting made it easy to move beyond surface-level networking and form meaningful relationships that will last well beyond the event.

"A special thank you to Jabil Procurement and Supply Chain Services' Frank McKay, Senior Vice President and Chief Supply Chain Officer for being an outstanding host and creating an environment that encouraged open, engaging discussion, as well as other executives and participants for the insightful conversations."

Procurement Magazine continues to host executive dinners for senior decision-makers across the procurement sector.