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Kjetil Istad
Co-Founder & CEO
Kjetil Istad is Co-Founder and CEO of SourceMagnet, a SaaS platform for strategic procurement and contract lifecycle management. With 20+ years of experience in procurement and leadership, including as CEO of Sykehusinnkjøp, he now drives innovation in how organizations work with procurement.

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Read my latest blog posts

Mastering Strategic Sourcing: A Comprehensive Guide for Procurement Professionals

Mastering Strategic Sourcing: A Comprehensive Guide for Procurement Professionals

Procurement is no longer just about driving down costs, it’s about creating lasting value for the business. Strategic sourcing sits at the heart of this shift, connecting supplier decisions to broader goals like resilience, sustainability, and innovation. In this guide, we break down what strategic sourcing really means, how it fits into the bigger procurement framework, and the steps procurement professionals can take to master it.
Kjetil Istad
August 21, 2025
6 min
Mastering the Art of Negotiations: Essential Training for Successful Procurement Professionals

Mastering the Art of Negotiations: Essential Training for Successful Procurement Professionals

Negotiation isn’t just about cutting costs... it’s a core procurement competency that drives savings, reduces risk, and builds stronger supplier relationships. Yet too many teams still treat it as an afterthought. This guide shows why negotiation training matters, what skills every buyer should master, and how practical exercises, proven techniques, and modern tools can turn your team into confident, value-creating negotiators.
Kjetil Istad
August 20, 2025
7 min
The Future of Procurement: Smarter Negotiations, Better Deals

The Future of Procurement: Smarter Negotiations, Better Deals

In today’s fast-paced procurement landscape, negotiation is no longer just about driving down costs — it’s about creating long-term value. Yet, many sourcing teams still rely on outdated tools like emails and spreadsheets, leading to missed opportunities and slow decision-making. This post explores why structured negotiations are the key to better supplier relationships, faster deals, and stronger outcomes—and how SourceMagnet’s new Negotiation Functionality empowers procurement teams to negotiate smarter, not harder.
Kjetil Istad
August 20, 2025
5 min
Mastering Negotiations: Key Terms and Phrases Every Professional Should Know

Mastering Negotiations: Key Terms and Phrases Every Professional Should Know

Discover essential terms and phrases that can enhance your negotiation skills and improve outcomes in contract management and procurement.
Kjetil Istad
August 5, 2025
7 min
Unlocking the Power of Category Management with SourceMagnet

Unlocking the Power of Category Management with SourceMagnet

What if your procurement strategy could drive cost savings, improve supplier relationships, and align seamlessly with your business goals? Category management is the key to achieving just that. By structuring spending into well-defined categories, organizations can optimize sourcing, mitigate risks, and create long-term value. But how do you implement it effectively? And what challenges should you watch out for? In this blog, we break down category management fundamentals, explore the Kraljic Matrix for smarter decision-making, and reveal how AI-powered tools like SourceMagnet can revolutionize your procurement strategy. Read on to discover how you can turn procurement into a competitive advantage!
Kjetil Istad
August 5, 2025
7 min
Transform Your Contract Workflow with Customizable Templates

Transform Your Contract Workflow with Customizable Templates

Streamline your contract management process with customizable templates. Tailored to meet the unique needs of procurement leaders and CFOs, our solution allows businesses to create, store, and update contract templates in a central repository. This enhances consistency, ensures compliance with internal policies, and reduces the risk of delays or miscommunication. Custom templates help businesses manage high contract volumes while aligning with broader organizational goals. Transform your contract workflows for greater efficiency, compliance, and strategic success.
Kjetil Istad
August 1, 2025
7 min
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