This document discusses how procurement functions need to rethink their role to better contribute to innovation within companies. As companies increasingly outsource activities and innovation becomes more open, procurement must leverage suppliers' innovation capabilities. However, procurement traditionally focuses only on cost/risk reduction after specifications are set. To better support innovation, procurement needs to get involved earlier in the process and think beyond traditional metrics like cost reduction. Strong supplier partnerships are also not enough - procurement must tap a wider range of partners to access new innovations.