In this episode, Martin Smith interviews Alex Jennings, an experienced procurement and commercial professional who has worked for companies such as GE and Toyota.They discuss Alex's career journey, his experience in managing teams, and the changes in the procurement profession. They also delve into Alex's entrepreneurial journey and the launch of his procurement platform, the Alchemie Network. The platform aims to connect procurement, supply chain, and sustainability professionals and provide them with tools for personal and professional development. Alex emphasises the importance of building strong teams, understanding individual strengths and weaknesses, and creating a culture of trust and diversity.This episode of Talent Talks covers: ●      Alex Jennings 40 years worth of experience within procurement and commercial roles.●      The importance of building strong teams that complement each other's strengths and weaknesses.●    That diversity, both in terms of demographics and thought, is crucial for a healthy and successful team.●      The need for a culture of trust and an environment where team members feel comfortable challenging each other.●      The evolution of procurement from a fulfilment-focused function to a strategic role that requires managing supply chain risks and disruptions.●      Alex introduces the Alchemie Network, a procurement platform that aims to connect professionals and provide tools for personal and professional development.

In this episode, Martin Smith speaks to Tom Hajek, an independent consultant and head of strategic procurement at Checkatrade. They discuss the key ingredients for successful procurement transformation. Tom emphasises the importance of aligning procurement with high-level business objectives and applying a framework of people, processes, and technology. Tom also shares his methodology for prioritising transformation efforts and delivering commercial wins. He highlights the need for procurement to be perceived as a strategic enabler of the business and offers insights on attracting and developing procurement talent. Tom concludes by discussing the challenges faced by procurement teams and the profession as a whole.This episode of Talent Talks covers:1. Align procurement with high-level business objectives to deliver successful transformation.2. Prioritise transformation efforts based on stakeholder engagement and burning issues.3. Position procurement as a strategic enabler of the business to elevate its brand.4. Attract and develop procurement talent with a focus on aptitude, commerciality, and sound judgment.

SummaryIn this episode, Martin Smith interviews Brad Mills, the first recruit of Talent Drive, about his experience in procurement recruitment. They discuss the challenges and opportunities in the retail and hospitality sector, the market outlook for 2024, and the changes in procurement recruitment over the years. Brad shares tips for hiring and emphasises the importance of diversity and agility of thought in the hiring process. They also highlight the value of industry experience in recruitment. Brad provides insights into the current state of procurement recruitment and offers valuable advice for both hiring managers and candidates.This episode of Talent Talks covers:1.        The retail and hospitality sector faced challenges in 2023, but there are positive aspects and opportunities for growth in 2024.2.        Leadership roles are emerging in procurement, creating new opportunities for professionals in the field.3.        The recruitment process should focus on finding candidates who are a 7 or 8 out of 10, with the right soft skills and potential for development.4.        Diversity and agility of thought are important in hiring, as they bring different perspectives and ideas to the team.5.        Industry experience is valuable, but candidates from diverse backgrounds can also bring unique insights and skills.

In this episode, Martin Smith interviews Ben Paynter, Procurement Director of Burberry, about his journey into procurement and the challenges and opportunities in the industry. Ben shares his transition from sales to procurement and his passion for bringing non-procurement professionals into the field. He discusses the unique challenges of procurement in the retail sector and the need for skill sets related to ESG and CSR. Ben emphasises the importance of competency assessment in hiring and providing comprehensive feedback to candidates. He also addresses the war on talent in procurement and the need for more investment and awareness in the profession.This episode of Talent Talks covers: Transitioning from sales to procurement offers new opportunities and a different perspective on negotiation and value creation.The retail sector presents unique challenges in procurement, including the need for agility and the close link to a dynamic marketplace.The industry faces challenges in finding and developing procurement talent, including the lack of investment in training and the focus on specific skill sets.Competency assessment and comprehensive feedback are essential in hiring and developing procurement professionals.Companies and individuals in the procurement field should work together to elevate the profession and create more awareness and opportunities.

In this episode of the Talent Talks podcast, Martin Smith interviews Brian Lombard, a manager at Talent Drive. Brian shares his background and how he transitioned from procurement into procurement recruitment. He primarily focuses on the interim market and discusses the current opportunities and trends in UK procurement. They also touch on the impact of IR35 regulation and the hiring activity in different sectors. Brian provides advice for individuals looking to enter the interim market and shares tips for hiring interim professionals. Finally, they discuss their plans for 2024 and the growth of their business. This episode of Talent Talks covers: Transitioning from procurement to recruitment can be a natural progression due to the similar skill sets required.The interim market in UK procurement is currently strong, with opportunities in various sectors such as public sector, risk, and financial services.The impact of IR35 regulation has settled, leading to more confidence in hiring contractors outside IR35.Networking effectively and showcasing specific strengths are crucial for individuals looking to enter the interim market.When hiring interim professionals, it is important to move at a fast pace, align with market salary expectations, and prioritize smooth onboarding.

“The most critical thing right now is to really develop the relationships with the people you work with, spend time with them understand them really well and form as trusting a relationship as you possibly can”Tim has had a diverse journey in procurement, working in the industry for nearly 20yrs. He began his career joining Tesco on their graduate scheme and hasn’t looked back, working for various companies in retail, automotive and property both in the UK and internationally. He now heads up procurement for one of the largest UK property services companies, where over the last 3 years he has taken the area from a brownfield space to a mature function.Tim shares his journey into procurement and discusses the importance of emotional intelligence in the field. He highlights the challenges and opportunities in procurement, particularly in managing time and resources. Tim also explores the evolving talent landscape in procurement and emphasises the need for continuous learning and development. He discusses the balance between a cash-driven approach and a business partnering approach in procurement.Tim and Martin discuss the challenges of prioritisation and uncertainty in procurement. They highlight the difficulty of determining priorities and the unpredictable nature of outcomes. They also emphasise the importance of developing strong relationships with stakeholders to navigate the changing business landscape.This episode of Talent Talks covers:Emotional intelligence within procurement.Adaptability and being open to change within the industryFocusing on business priorities while striving for continuous improvementEmbracing new challenges and experiences.Building strong relationships

“We need suppliers who understand what it's like from underrepresented groups’ perspectives, because those often are the groups that we're looking to speak to.”Supplier diversity is essential to any good procurement professional’s portfolio, which emphasises the importance of the SRM that underpins everything.That’s a focus area for one of procurement’s most prominent voices, Coventry Building Society’s Rebecca Howard.Rebecca joins us on Talent Talks to discuss her very purposeful route into procurement, a growing focus on the social element of ESG goals, and the skills that separate average SRM from great SRM.This episode of Talent Talks covers:Rebecca’s determined entry into procurementThe two top skills that underpin great SRMThe amazing work on supplier diversityPros and cons of separating SRM from procurementAdvice for aspiring procurement and SRM leadersThe Talent Talks Podcast is proudly sponsored by Staverton Consulting.Staverton Consulting delivers tangible and sustainable cost reduction as well as reducing business risks throughout the supply chain for private equity backed businesses, SME’S and growth companies. For more information please head to https://www.stavertonconsulting.com/.

“Really push yourself out there - pushing your comfort zone is where you really feel alive.”Soft skills in procurement are one thing, but employing them to become one of procurement’s most prominent names on social media is another ball game entirely.If we’re to elevate the profession, it’s the kind of work that Tom Mills puts into his social following which we need to see more often. Tom returns for the second in this two-part episode of Talent Talks to discuss the power of stepping out of your comfort zone, how to stand out, and advice for anyone looking to bolster their confidence.This episode of Talent Talks covers:Tom’s powerful experience dealing with Pervasive Anxiety DisorderAdvice for those wanting to gain confidence when sharing their voiceLong term aims for Tom’s overall social media pushThe strength of ‘feeling fear and doing it anyway’The Talent Talks Podcast is proudly sponsored by Staverton Consulting.Staverton Consulting delivers tangible and sustainable cost reduction as well as reducing business risks throughout the supply chain for private equity backed businesses, SME’S and growth companies. For more information please head to https://www.stavertonconsulting.com/.

“Everyone should be learning right through their career. It's actually the power of saying very little, and listening.”Soft skills are an undoubtedly vital part of any procurement professional’s skillset, but it’s such a vague term for something so key.That’s why Tom Mills’ advocacy for soft skill development makes him the perfect guest on Talent Talks for a two-part discussion around how new professionals can stay a cut above the rest.Join us for part 1 with Tom, where he covers the specific skills to develop, a comprehensive approach to stakeholder management, and the challenging language pervading the industry.This episode of Talent Talks covers:Why soft skills have evolved to become 10 times more important than beforeWhich specific soft skills are best for budding procurement professionals to developFlipping the narrative in stakeholder managementThe language of procurement and whether it clouds the understanding of how essential soft skills can beThe Talent Talks Podcast is proudly sponsored by Staverton Consulting.Staverton Consulting delivers tangible and sustainable cost reduction as well as reducing business risks throughout the supply chain for private equity backed businesses, SME’S and growth companies. For more information please head to https://www.stavertonconsulting.com/.

“Procurement has been really effective in seeing growth opportunities and saying ‘Let us manage this, we can look after this’.”While Will Bowley’s route into procurement may not be conventional, his pedigree in the industry matches the impact delivered as Director of Staverton Consulting.With a unique perspective on the industry, Will joins us on Talent Talks to discuss the biggest challenges facing startup procurement consultancies, procurement’s evolution as a commercial facilitator, and much more.This episode of Talent Talks covers:Positioning procurement for executive visibilityThe ‘seat at the table’ happening organically, not being forcedBreaking the stigma surrounding consultanciesWill’s journey into business ownership & taking the plungeProcurement’s evolution as a commercial facilitatorLeaders & CPOs seizing opportunities and leading agendasThe Talent Talks Podcast is proudly sponsored by Staverton Consulting.Staverton Consulting delivers tangible and sustainable cost reduction as well as reducing business risks throughout the supply chain for private equity backed businesses, SME’S and growth companies. For more information please head to https://www.stavertonconsulting.com/.

“It’s not hard to find bodies if you want bodies, but the best people have options. You’ve got to be approaching them.”When good procurement people have the power to choose their path, it takes proactivity to create a quality team - as Sermet Baykaner has done proficiently through his career to date. With names like Carnival and Unilever under his belt, Sermet - Bourne Leisure’s Group Procurement Director - is this week’s fantastic guest on the Talent Talks podcast.Join us as we touch on attracting talent in a competitive market, convincing the C-suite to support the procurement agenda, and integrating sustainability business-wide.This episode of Talent Talks covers:Building sustainability into the overall strategyHow to attract talent when good people have optionsSolving the C-suite’s needs, rather than focusing on what you can deliverWhat’s evolved in procurement and how Sermet has adapted to thatThe Talent Talks Podcast is proudly sponsored by Staverton Consulting.Staverton Consulting delivers tangible and sustainable cost reduction as well as reducing business risks throughout the supply chain for private equity backed businesses, SME’S and growth companies. For more information please head to https://www.stavertonconsulting.com/.

“We have all these other things that we can do, but the end game that the Chief Executive wants is the value that you're giving them.”The procurement industry is ever-evolving with shifting skillsets, constrained talent pool and a new age of technology & automation - it’s on us to evolve with it. We hosted an incredible Talent Talks Live event at Landsec in September, where we delighted in a panel with Visa’s S-J Aldridge, Specsavers’ Carl Ferrand and AWE’s Jonathan Patrick.Join us for this live podcast episode where they touch on reframing our value, strategy vs tactical operating, and ChatGPT’s role in procurement’s future.This episode of Talent Talks covers:Our value in procurement, and whether we need to reframe/market that value betterCrafting procurement as a more strategic function, shedding transactional activitiesHow the talent pool has shifted, particularly post-pandemicThe balance of technical skill vs commercial skillAI’s uses in the future of procurementThe Talent Talks Podcast is proudly sponsored by Staverton Consulting.Staverton Consulting delivers tangible and sustainable cost reduction as well as reducing business risks throughout the supply chain for private equity backed businesses, SME’S and growth companies. For more information please head to https://www.stavertonconsulting.com/.

“The challenge is finding somebody with a really good set of soft skills, and that transcends both public and private sectors.”When it comes to recruiting exciting new procurement talent, good apprenticeships can be the perfect combination of experience and learning.Emma Law’s sustained efforts to create such apprenticeship opportunities are becoming fruitful, alongside her already stellar decade at Orbis Partnership.We’re joined by Emma on Talent Talks to discuss the major challenges facing public sector procurement hiring, why we need to push harder on ESG, and AI’s role in procurement’s future.This episode of Talent Talks covers:The main challenges with recruiting new talent into the public sectorHow public scrutiny affects decision makingWhich skills transcend the divide between public and private sectorsHow early we should bring procurement language into educationAI’s role in the future of procurement, and the time it’ll free up for strategic thinkingThe Talent Talks Podcast is proudly sponsored by Staverton Consulting. Staverton Consulting delivers tangible and sustainable cost reduction as well as reducing business risks throughout the supply chain for private equity backed businesses, SME’S and growth companies. For more information please head to stavertonconsulting.com.

“Procurement was once the gatekeeper to the marketplace. Technology speeds up how we do things, and brings the external market to internal stakeholders.”The one defence we have against extinction of any kind is adaptation. It might be drastic to suggest procurement is on the brink of extinction, but it certainly needs to adapt…Whether it’s in the attraction of new talent or moving away from gatekeeping suppliers, Thames Water’s David Wylie has seen first hand the power of shifting focus and making changes.David joins us for Talent Talks this week to share key learnings from roles in TfL & Centrica, how to deliver meaningful social value, and the three most important words in procurement.This episode of Talent Talks covers:How the procurement industry needs to shift to stay relevantEvolving observations in procurement talentThe power of bringing ‘relentless insight’ into your businessOperating in environments with very different regulatory challengesDelivery of social value at Thames Water

“Marketing, arguably more so than other categories, needs to be seen as an investment for growth, not a cost to be cut.”There’s a boldness that roles in Nike, Danone and Reckitt would give anyone, and Stuart Dunk has funnelled that boldness into a business that’s now over 3 years strong.Stuart’s specialism is in marketing procurement, an area which he believes to lean further towards value over cost than almost any other category.Having experienced landmark roles in huge brands, and now growing his business, Don't Forget to Look, his experience makes for a fascinating perspective on the marketing procurement landscape in this week’s Talent Talks.This episode of Talent Talks covers:Stuart’s work on London 2012 and subsequent career with Nike, Reckitt & DanoneHow to increase engagement with procurement through intuitive buying processesStakeholder management being a near-universal skillMarketing’s status as an investment in growthAttracting and retaining marketing procurement talentHow Stuart used the confidence of prior roles to start his own business as a ‘poacher turned gamekeeper’

“Build yourself a great team, and build a team that challenges you. You can't do it all yourself, you're only as good as the people around you.”With huge, long-spanning roles at Diageo and Compass Group, Oliver Cock has developed the blueprints for successful procurement change, fulfilling leadership, and introducing category management from scratch.Oliver is an incredibly experienced procurement leader, and now CEO of Zircon Consulting, which makes him wonderfully placed to weigh in on the virtues of great leadership, empathy, talent management, and so much more.This episode of Talent Talks covers:Oliver’s long and illustrious career through CPO, MD and other leadership rolesIntroducing category management from scratch by focusing on quick wins in core areasWorking with key stakeholders for greater buy-in from the wider businessRecruiting new talent with attitude over aptitudeEmpathy and clarity of direction being essential in procurement leadership

“There’s a hidden cost - the cost of bad deals because you don’t choose to use interim resources.”Since 2021’s reforms, IR35 has been a major factor in the channels through which procurement resource is found, and Mark Coulson has become a guiding light through the confusion.Having spent many years specialising in IR35, he’s perfectly placed to share with us on Talent Talks how to navigate the main sticking points around contractors and interim staff.We also break down how the specialist knowledge of interim procurement professionals can save thousands through the simple power of subject expertise.This episode of Talent Talks covers:An overview of IR35 and the precedents set by case lawSimplifying how to spot what should lie within IR35Avoiding scope creepThe powerful use cases where interim procurement is invaluableHow interim resource can prevent the potential added cost of bad deals

“I love seeing people grow and flourish. It’s fulfilling and quite humbling that you've been part of someone else's success and growth..”Bringing together the best of both worlds is a powerful procurement strategy for those with private and public sector experience - Divyesh Lad combines those in a challenging utility sector.The Head of Commercial Services for United Utilities joins us on episode 76 of Talent Talks as we consider the skills gap in today’s market, how to manage teams & help them flourish, flexing your communication style, and much more.This episode of Talent Talks covers:Challenges and opportunities unique to the utilities sectorFilling the skills gap in the marketTransferable skills throughout the profession & combining experiencesLearning how to manage people effectively, and help them to evolve and flourish

“We should always remember opportunity cost - sometimes time itself is much more valuable and important than a potential monetary saving.”Across a career that’s spanned THG, Sky and now Epos Now, Isabella Moise has thrived in her roles with an ability to marry the needs of stakeholders with wildly conflicting ideas of success.Now in a Head of Procurement role early in her career, Isabella’s insight into the importance of understanding culture and delivering confidence in negotiation comes from a fascinating, unique perspective.Isabella joins Martin this week on Talent talks to discuss her stellar path in the profession, and offers her shrewd advice for young, female procurement leaders in the making.This episode of Talent Talks covers:Juggling the needs of conflicting stakeholdersBringing confidence into a negotiation scenarioWhy the negotiating process relies on more than simple messagingOpportunity cost and the value of time vs money in procurementOvercoming challenges to become a role model in D&IThe need to return to goals around CSR and sustainability

“As a consultant I had direct access to the chief executive. As a secondee, to go anywhere near the chief executive wasn’t going to happen.”The procurement consultancy world has its draws, from intense and varied experiences to, at times, greater access within the business.That said, Daniel Abda has worked on both consultancy and in-house teams, currently with Efficio and previously leading an Asset Management programme for the London Olympic Games.This week on Talent Talks, Daniel takes us through the distinctions between consultancy and in-house, how to handle intense & strict external deadlines, and whether AI could have procurement functions cutting jobs to make new savings…This episode of Talent Talks covers:Daniel’s work on the procurement organisation strategy for the London 2012 Olympic GamesHow to respond to being given unrealistic targetsConsultancy procurement experience, and how it stacks up against being part of an in-house teamManaging rising energy costs and sustainability goalsAI tools, and whether it could cut jobs in the industry