Procurement Skills Development - for Current Practitioners

The course begins with the main objectives of a procurement function and how it can add value for the organisation as a whole. It then covers a range of topics that will ensure the capability of engaging with stakeholders and delivering excellent service and value for money. 

Covers concepts such as procurement targeting; total cost of ownership; category management; and vendor base management.  

Introduces principles of commercial negotiation. 

This course is designed for experienced buyers, procurement managers and operations managers.

At the end of the course, participants will be able to

• Understand why procurement is such an important function within any business.
• Explain why procurement needs to manage commercial risk and understand approaches to risk management.
• Understand how procurement analysis and segmentation tools can assist with managing the supplier portfolio.
• Appreciate the basics of negotiation and how it can add value.
• Identify methods for analysing and evaluating purchasing performance.
• Explain and apply contract management principles.
• Utilise analytical tools to identify areas for improvement.

Topics Covered include:
 

• The external business environment.
• Stages of the procurement cycle.
• Analysing costs and pricing.
• Managing stakeholders.
• Specification development.
• Supply base information analysis.
• Segmentation tools.
• Outsourcing of goods and services.
• Procurement targeting
• Total Cost of Ownership
• Cost reduction in goods and services.
• Developing a cost savings programme.
• Aspects of negotiation.
• Procurement case study