Post-Globalization – A CPO on Leveraging Procurement Opportunities

A Turning Point for Global Procurement

Shashi frames the current environment as a structural transition: after decades of global economic patterns built on open trade, the world is entering a “post-globalization” era. This shift began on April 2nd, “Liberation Day”, – the date the U.S. announced sweeping new tariffs and trade policy changes. Rather than panic, he suggests viewing this as a three-part process: disengagement, transition, and re-engagement – and we’re currently in that uncertain middle space.

“We’re in that interim transition space… It’s important we don’t start reacting to every possible announcement because things might be in flux.” – Shashi Mandapaty

Lessons from the Rest of the World

While the U.S. is just beginning to wrestle with the challenges of supply chain barriers, many parts of the world – including Central Europe, the Middle East, and Asia – have been navigating protectionist markets and supply risks for decades. According to Shashi, it’s time U.S.-based supply chain professionals study and adapt some of the same tactics their global counterparts have long employed.

He outlines three major risk areas procurement leaders must now anticipate:

• Currency and Inflation Volatility
  Tariffs are only part of the cost story. Currency devaluations and inflation in supplier countries will add further unpredictability.

• Cascading Protectionism
  As countries react to U.S. trade moves, barriers will ripple globally, triggering new regional bottlenecks and restrictions.

• Supply Disruption
  Beyond price, the bigger threat is availability. Inventory shortages, capacity shifts, and even supplier shutdowns could block access to critical materials.

“As buyers, we know how to deal with costs. What we can’t afford is to not have supply at all.” – Shashi Mandapaty

From Risk to Opportunity

The good news? This disruption can drive investment in much-needed capabilities. Shashi encourages organizations to:

• Improve Tier-N Supplier Visibility
  Map the extended supply network, not just tier-one vendors, to predict and mitigate bottlenecks.

• Engineer for Flexibility
  Broader product specifications and regulatory readiness allow quicker switches to alternative sources.

• Build Supplier Onboarding Agility
  Accelerate vetting and integration of new partners across geographies.

“This isn’t about reacting—it’s about preparing for the long term. Let’s use this time wisely to become more agile and strategic.”

A Stronger Business Case for Resilience

Shashi sees this moment as a chance to build organizational support for resilience investments. With real financial consequences now tied to global disruption, procurement teams finally have a “dollar-value business case” to justify supply chain transformation, including automation and robotics.

“Five years ago, resilience was nice to have. Today, it’s essential—and easier to justify than ever.”

Final Takeaways: Procurement’s Moment to Lead

As we navigate a post-globalization supply chain landscape, procurement is no longer a back-office function—it’s a strategic force. Shashi Mandapaty’s insights remind us that:

• Reacting less and preparing more is the winning mindset in times of volatility.

• Visibility and agility across the full supplier network are no longer optional—they’re essential.

• Cost management is important, but supply assurance is critical.

• The business case for resilience—from re-engineering specs to investing in automation—has never been stronger.

This isn’t just about surviving tariff turmoil—it’s about turning uncertainty into opportunity. Procurement leaders who seize this moment will position their organizations for long-term advantage in an increasingly fragmented world.

“The value case for resilience is no longer a hypothetical. It’s real, urgent, and actionable.” – Shashi Mandapaty

Now is the time to step forward, build smarter networks, and turn disruption into transformation.