New NLPA AI Course Empowers Procurement Pros
Durham, NC – March 13, 2025 – The Next Level Purchasing Association (NLPA), a global leader in procurement education and certification, is excited to announce the launch of its latest course, Artificial Intelligence in Action: Practical Applications for Supply Chain Professionals. This groundbreaking course equips purchasing and supply chain professionals with the knowledge and tools to harness the power of AI for sourcing and purchasing teams, driving efficiency, cost savings, and smarter decision-making.
The Growing Impact of AI on Operations
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is quickly changing the way procurement works, with more organizations using it every year. According to Gartner,49% of procurement organizations have already integrated AI into key processes. McKinsey reports that organizations using AI-driven purchasing tools achieve 2.5 times greater return on investment than those that don’t. From predictive analytics for demand forecasting to AI-powered supplier risk assessments, AI is no longer a future trend—it’s a present-day necessity for procurement leaders.
Practical Insights From Procurement Experts
“AI is revolutionizing procurement, offering unparalleled opportunities to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve risk management,” said Jeff Dean, SPSM, SPSM2, CPOM, CPOE, Vice President of Education at NLPA. “Our new course provides procurement professionals with practical ideas into how AI is being used today—so they can stay ahead of the curve and leverage these technologies for strategic advantage.”
Designed for Procurement and Supply Chain Professionals
If you work in procurement or supply chain, you’ve likely seen AI making its way into our industry—whether in ERPs, contract management, rec2pay, source2pay, automation, or analytics. With new tools coming in, it can feel overwhelming to keep up. Designed specifically for Procurement and Supply Chain professionals, Artificial Intelligence in Action breaks down the history of AI, key terminology, and how these technologies impact daily tools. It provides a strong foundation to confidently navigate AI’s role in an organization and make informed decisions about the future. Real-world applications of AI is used in sourcing, negotiation, and spend analysis, negotiations, contract management, spend analysis, and supplier intelligence. Through hands-on case studies, learners will see how AI can improve procurement processes and bring real business results.
Making AI Accessible and Actionable
“We are seeing a seismic shift in the way procurement operates, and AI is at the forefront of this transformation,” said Amber Pate, Director at NLPA. “This course makes AI easy to understand and use for procurement professionals, no matter their technical background.”
This course marks just the beginning of NLPA’s AI journey, with more AI-focused courses currently in development. Procurement and Supply Chain professionals looking to understand AI basics and integrate AI into their processes can take the first step by enrolling today. It is now available exclusively through NLPA’s online learning platform. Procurement and supply chain professionals interested in leveraging AI for competitive advantage can enroll today.
For more information and to register, visit NLPA AI Course Page.
For group enrollments and enterprise training solutions, please contact:
Adam Merritt
Global Sales Director
Direct: +1 984-227-8565
Email: amerritt@nextlevelpurchasing.com
About NLPA
The Next Level Purchasing Association (NLPA) is the world’s leading procurement training and certification provider. It offers world-class education to help procurement professionals stay ahead in a rapidly changing industry. From foundational courses to advanced strategic sourcing and AI-driven purchasing, NLPA equips professionals with the skills to excel in the modern supply chain landscape.
