Interview with Brish Bhan Vaidya
Reinventing Procurement at Scale with AI, Ethics, and Empathy
Brish Bhan Vaidya, Head of APAC Strategic Sourcing & Global Buying Center at Uber, brings two decades of procurement leadership across sectors and geographies. From launching procurement capability centers to leading global transformation initiatives, he’s focused on driving value, not just cutting cost. Today, he’s shaping a future-ready, tech-enabled procurement function that balances operational excellence with responsible sourcing.
How did you get into your current role?
I started in sourcing and procurement over 20 years ago, with a strong focus on strategic sourcing, category management, and global operations. I’ve worked at American Express, Accenture, British Telecom, Genpact, and Commerce One—leading capability centers and large-scale transformations. My journey has always been about more than cost savings. It’s about innovation, governance, and impact. Today, I lead APAC Strategic Sourcing and the Global Buying Center at Uber.
What are your current responsibilities at Uber?
I lead sourcing strategy for APAC and oversee the Global Buying Center. That includes:
End-to-end category strategy across tech, marketing, workplace, and services
Global ownership of Spot Buy and Contract Management programs
Procurement transformation for scale, compliance, and efficiency
Supplier partnerships, risk management, and ESG implementation
Cross-functional collaboration with legal, finance, compliance, and operations
What does a typical workday look like for you?
My day starts around 6:30 AM with reading or light exercise. I review priorities and global updates before formal meetings begin. Because I work across APAC, US, and EMEA, energy and clarity management is key. I block time for deep work, structure breaks, and stay intentional about how I show up for high-impact conversations.
What lessons did you learn from the pandemic?
It taught us resilience and agility—but also empathy. Procurement shifted fast into digital mode and asynchronous collaboration, which broke down silos. More importantly, the crisis humanized leadership. It reminded us to be flexible, compassionate, and people-first.
What are the biggest challenges in your role, and how do you solve them?
We navigate:
Standardization vs. local needs
Supplier compliance in complex regions
Stakeholder alignment
We tackle these by co-creating with internal partners, using real-time dashboards, and building governance frameworks. Education, visibility, and transparency go a long way in keeping us aligned.
Which tools or technologies are you most excited about right now?
I’m very excited about AI tools for guided buying, risk insights, and contract compliance. We’re piloting an AI-powered Procurement Frontdoor at Uber - it’s a unified intake system that streamlines triage and ensures policy alignment. Coupa, DocuSign CLM, and Ethixbase are also key tools in our stack.
How do you embed sustainability and ethical sourcing into your operations?
We’ve embedded ESG into our sourcing playbook. This includes:
ESG-aligned scorecards and supplier selection
Anti-slavery risk assessments with tools like Ethixbase
Inclusion of local and sustainable vendors
Monitoring compliance in high-risk areas
It’s not just a checkbox. It’s core to our values.
How do you stay up to date with supply chain trends?
Through industry forums like ISM, CIPS, and SIG. I also subscribe to curated content, join internal innovation pilots, and mentor regularly—because reverse mentoring is often where fresh ideas come from.
What skills do procurement leaders need today?
Digital literacy and AI awareness
Strategic thinking and stakeholder influence
Cross-cultural collaboration and change leadership
I stay sharp through pilot projects, peer coaching, and executive education. And I learn a lot from my younger team members who bring new perspectives.
Which trends will shape procurement in the coming years?
AI and predictive analytics will change how we forecast and buy
ESG and compliance will drive supplier selection
Localization and resilience will become essential
Integrated procurement platforms will dominate—unifying sourcing, contracts, risk, and ESG data
What advice would you give someone entering the field?
Start with curiosity. Understand the flow of value. Learn analytics and negotiation early. Be tech-aware, ethical, and communicative. This field rewards people who love solving problems and thrive in ambiguity.
Want more insights from procurement leaders like Brish?
Check out www.theprocurist.co and continue the conversation on www.chain.net—our global community where sourcing, procurement, and supply chain professionals connect, share, and grow.
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