Lauren Hymen

Lauren Hymen, Vice President of Digital Procurement at PepsiCo, is at the forefront of procurement technology innovation at one of the world's largest consumer goods companies.

Her career began in supply chain consulting, driven by a passion for transformation. She envisioned being part of change and eventually found herself leading digital procurement initiatives at PepsiCo.

As Vice President of Digital Procurement, Lauren oversees strategic initiatives to enhance procurement effectiveness. 

"I collaborate with procurement leadership to understand their goals and deliver technology solutions that help achieve them," she says. 

By researching transformative solutions and integrating them into procurement, Lauren drives efficiency and innovation.

Continuous improvement and growth

Having gained a degree in industrial engineering, Lauren transitioned from consulting to consumer products, seeking a more tangible impact. 

"Consulting taught me to listen and understand stakeholder needs—an invaluable skill throughout my career," she reflects.

Later, her experience in the cosmetics industry introduced her to a global, entrepreneurial environment. This exposure helped her to navigate challenges at complex, multinational organisations, setting the stage for her role at PepsiCo.

Making an impact at PepsiCo

Despite PepsiCo's size and long-serving workforce, Lauren found a culture open to innovation. 

"It was rewarding to see a company committed to excellence and receptive to fresh ideas," she notes. 

Lauren’s biggest achievement thus far has been elevating procurement's role, securing investments in technology to propel the function forward.

Her work has highlighted procurement’s potential to have a global impact, allowing PepsiCo to invest in technologies that enhance efficiency and effectiveness. She is dedicated to ensuring these advancements deliver measurable value.

Digital transformation challenges

The road to digital procurement excellence is certainly not without hurdles. 

Lauren identifies resource allocation as a primary challenge: "Balancing resources and determining where to invest is crucial. Prioritising areas with the highest impact is key."

Change management represents another significant challenge, but she strives to ensure PepsiCo’s procurement team members feel confident in their technology investments, making digital tools an integral part of their workflows.

"Technology is evolving rapidly and we need to embed these changes into our daily operations so they become second nature," Lauren continues.

Elsewhere, as a leader in a traditionally male-dominated field, Lauren is passionate about promoting diversity. She co-founded and leads the Women in Procurement group at PepsiCo, aiming to support and empower women in the industry. 

"It’s personally fulfilling and hopefully encourages more women to pursue procurement careers," she says.

The future of digital procurement

Lauren foresees a rapidly evolving procurement landscape. Over the past decade, the industry has grown into a US$6bn market, shifting from a few major players to a more competitive, innovation-driven space. 

"The industry is consolidating and my role is to determine where we experiment and where we form long-term partnerships," she explains.

"It’s about deciding where we want to innovate and ensuring procurement continues to drive meaningful change."

Lauren Hymen exemplifies how procurement professionals can shape the future—not only within their organisations but across the industry. By balancing digital innovation with people-centric leadership, she is helping to redefine procurement at PepsiCo and beyond.

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