NSW Region
Welcome to the NSW Region Page
| NSW Regional Chair: | Paul Xifaras |
| NSW Regional Vice Chair: | David Callaghan |
| Contact Email: | nsw@cipsa.com.au |
| Click here for NSW Events | events@cipsa.com.au |
Latest NSW News & Events
New Financial Year Training opportunities – a world of opportunities.
New Financial Year! Need a training plan? CIPSA Open Training schedule has been supporting Procurement teams in Australia and NZ throughout 2007/08
Over 300 different organisations sent their team to CIPSA training events this financial year! Contact CIPS Australia to provide your team with relevant practical training that makes an impact on performance”
Email edward.rayner@cipsa.com.au or call 1300 765 142 or +61 3 9629 6000 for more information, on any of the above products.
Open Training Courses Booking Out Quickly
See the full 2008 Open Training Calendar here.
Download the full PDF brochure here (1.8 MB)
Download an electronic booking form here. (Word).
See Terms & Conditions here
NSW Calendar of Events
Mark your diary now for these NSW events coming up in the first half of 2008. More dates will arise, so remember to keep an eye out on the NSW Events page.
7- 8 July - Supplier Evaluation & Risk Management
7- 8 August - Contract Law Masterclass- SOLD OUT
20 August - Socially Responsible Procurement (Parramatta)
3 September - Reducing Total Cost (Parramatta)
1-2 September - Negotiation Masterclass
22-23 September - Introduction to Procurement & Improve your Procurement skills (Parramatta)
Category Management - New course introduced due to high demand - 25th August
Review: Global Sourcing Function, 22 April 2008
The NSW CIPSA Regional Committee held its second function for the year on Tuesday 22 April 2008.
The theme of the night was “Global Sourcing – Still Cost Effective?” and it was held in the Sydney Room within the offices of PWC, Sussex Street, Sydney.
The night started with an informal networking/meet-and-greet opportunity, while sampling some fine canapés and cool refreshments. Patrons were then seated, as our two keynote speakers commenced analysing the topic from their differing areas of expertise.
The first speaker was Mr David Swanson, National Supplier Manager for CMC Coil Steels. David discussed in an informative but entertaining way some of the challenges in sourcing raw material and finished goods, including the key considerations, and subjects including: why to source offshore, controlling risk, and deciding where to actually procure.
Our second speaker, consultant Mr. Paul Hopkinson, Performance Improvement Advisor with Pricewaterhouse Coopers, discussed the keys around successful sourcing and integration of service centres offshore, and some of the factors contributing to successful integration.
The topic and subject matter from each presenter led to a range of topical questions directed at both. This very successful evening concluded with the speakers, CIPSA NSW Committee members, and over 30 of the patrons staying to enjoy more of the fine food and drinks in an informal networking session. Thank you to PWC for hosting the evening.
Review: Capgemini event, 15 May 2008
Many thanks to all who attended the Capgemini event in Sydney on 15 May. Feedback from the event has been very positive so far.
“Meet your colleagues" and "choose your procurement hot topics" were the two key themes at our Capgemini event in Sydney on 15 May 2008.
Walking into Capgemini's Accelerated Solutions Environment ("ASE"), a huge area separated by moveable-writeable screens, we met, shared a beer, and were given the task of 'summarising a stranger' in procurement terms, and introducing ourselves, in less than a minute.
The music changed, and into the chatrooms we went … a choice of six … oh, no decisions required. Each chatroom a little 'room', surrounded by the screens, scribes awaiting, graphics and pictures abounding.
With six hot topics: transformations; aligning to business strategy; eProcurement, CPO dashboard (see picture), lean and sustainability., all led by a Capgemini expert.
The music changed twice more, so a total of three hot topics, each about 10 minutes.
Then at the end, a summary (see group photo), laugh and a chat, followed by another drink and some good nattering. Some of us got tempted into the nearby pub too.
Thanks to the Team at Capgemini, and the NSW Committee for a very successful night. Watch out, Capgemini are looking to repeats soon in other states …..
Please see the attached notes from the event. Click here to see the Procurement Dashboard.
CIPSA’s End of Year Gala
Planning is well underway for the NSW Procurement Professionals’ Gala Dinner for 2008.
It will be held at a great venue at Darling Harbour on Friday 28 November,
This year’s event is set to be bigger and better than last year’s. It will feature:
• Celebrity comedian
• Live band
• Charity raffle
• Scholarship Award
• Great networking opportunities
If you are interested in sponsoring a table, or would simply like to come along, please contact Jerry in our office on tel 1300 765 142 or email marketing@cipsa.com.au
Corporate tables are $1,500 inc GST are available for a table of ten. The cost of individual tickets will be announced later in the year.
CIPSA function in Newcastle/Hunter region, 16 July 2008
There will be an evening function for CIPSA members in the Newcastle and Hunter Valley region on Wednesday 16 July at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Merewether Street and Wharf Road, Newcastle. This will follow the same overall format as last year's successful event.
Please mark the date in your diary. Speakers and their topics are currently been confirmed and further details about the event will be available shortly.
NSW Members - tell your colleagues to start writing now!
CIPSA National Essay Competition
Would you like the opportunity to win $2000 plus an all-expenses paid trip to the 4th Annual CIPS Australia National Procurement Conference in Melbourne, October 2008? Submit your entry into the CIPS National Essay Competition to be in with a chance!
By submitting an essay of 1500-2500 words on one of three questions by the 29th August, 2008 you could become a regional winner of the competition and win $1000.
Questions:
- How does the procurement profession avoid “green wash” and ensure truly sustainable sourcing solutions are presented to stakeholders?
- Are a socially responsible procurement policy and a low-cost country sourcing strategy mutually exclusive?
- As the generic cost of production falls, and the generic cost of freight rises, how will carbon trading affect supply chains?
The winner from each region will automatically be entered into the national competition with the chance to win a further $1000, and the aforementioned trip to the 4th Annual CIPS Australia Conference on 14 October.
The competition this year, has been generously sponsored by Curtin University.
University of Wollongong course gains MCIPS accreditation
CIPSA is pleased to announce it has accredited its first university in the Sydney region – the University of Wollongong. Candidates who successfully complete their Masters of Science (Logistics) and meet the conditions specified, including evidence of three years relevant procurement work experience, will be eligible for MCIPS status. This programme is offered in the Sydney and Wollongong campuses. While the university has decided to label the course ‘logistics’, this degree is focussed on supply chain, procurement and project management. To find out more about CIPSA Accredited Universities, click here.
Successful February Function
NSW Region’s first event for 2008 attracted a full-house of more than 80 attendees to Deacons’ auditorium in the Sydney CBD on Thursday 21 February.
Our key speaker was Zdravko Jelic of Deacons, who spoke on how to prepare and manage procurement from China and procurement contracts with suppliers in China. Zdravko is fluent in Chinese after spending time both at university and working in China.
His talk included reference to a range of legal issues that need to be considered when contracting with China, including the business risks.
Given Australian companies increasingly import from China, the evening provided valuable information for the members and guests who attended.
It was great that a large number of those attending stayed to enjoy some drinks and nibbles after the event.
Our thanks to Deacons for sponsoring the function and providing the speakers and facilities.
Meet your Chair and Vice Chair:
NSW Chair: Paul Xifaras
Strategic sourcing director for Lion Nathan Limited (Lion)
Paul Xifaras is senior procurement executive with 17 years experience in three world class organisations. He holds a Managerial Sciences degree from Bradford Management Centre, UK. Prior to this role, he worked as a pub buyer and was director of a number of subsidiary and associate joint ventures for Lion, and has done financial consulting for Arthur Andersen. He is a member of the Institute of Chartered accountants in England and Wales and has been a member and committee member of CIPS NSW since inception.
Email Paul at nsw@cipsa.com.au
NSW Vice Chair: David Callaghan
Head of procurement, PricewaterhouseCoopers
David has over 15 years experience in procurement in professional services, property, construction and engineering. He is a chartered accountant, and holds an MBA and a Masters in Management, where his research
was on process improvement in shared services and procurement.
Email David at nsw@cipsa.com.au
NSW Gala dinner… one ‘Eck of an evening
More than 150 CIPSA members, suppliers and sponsors had one ‘Eck of an evening on November 30, as guests celebrated the end of another year, and for some hairy fellows on the night, also the end of Movember! The NSW committ
ee were dressed to the nines and put on a show that will no doubt spur on some competition between the regions! Suppliers sponsored tables at the event and invite their procurement contacts to be their guests. This was a great foundation for an exciting evening filled with great food, wine, music and comedy.
Gary Eck, one of Australia’s favourite comedians had the crowd in tears as he recalled stories of the world’s best sellers, his take on the topic of “procurement”, a whacky impersonation of Darth Vadar (using a microphone and a mug) and like any comedian targeted an audience member, in this case it was Silver Sponsor Qantas, who will never see their new Airbus in the same light again!
Guests were also entertained by he guests were entertained by the Dan Barnett band, whose soothing jazzy tunes provided a perfect backdrop to endless networking.
CIPS Australia would like to thank its sponsors, Platinum Sponsor Jigsaw Search, Gold Sponsor PMMS, and Silver Sponsor Qantas for supporting this very successful evening. Another big thanks to the table sponsors who also generously donated the charity raffle prizes: Corporate Express, Bunzl, Skilled Group, Snap Printing, BlueScope Steel, Fuji Xerox, Fuji Xerox Printers, Europcar, Ecolab, TravelEdge and Kimberly Clark. With awesome prizes ranging from golf clubs, to a helicopter flight, V8 Hotlap, wine packs, a portable DVD player and a whopping supply of toilet paper and nappies, the raffle raised almost $2000 for beyondblue, the national depression initiative.
As well as the donation to beyondblue, some of the proceeds from the night will be used to fund a NSW Scholarship Fund (similar to the QLD scholarship), to enable one lucky procurement enthusiast to study towards MCIPS. More details of this will be announced in 2008. An extra warm thanks to Sandra Keller and Visna Lampasi from the NSW committee who organised the night.
With thanks to our sponsors.
PLATINUM SPONSOR GOLD SPONSOR SILVER SPONSOR
Lion Nathan Beer tasting night wrap-up
After much anticipation, and many last minute eager participants, the night had arrived for the "marketing your profession internally" evening at Lion Nathan. Or should we say, beer tasting with a couple of speakers?
It was a fantastic evening, bringing together three superb speakers: a Finance Director (David Wallace, from Lion Nathan): a head of procurement (David Callaghan, from PWC): a brewer; and 75 CIPS members and guests.
David Wallace took us through why and how he felt Lion Nathan's procurement had been able to make the jump, from (i) a cost focus to (ii) an overall value focus, connecting better with their suppliers and balancing the needs of the business.
Franklin Lucarotti from the Malt Shovel Brewery took us into the deep dark world of beer, explaining some of the myths and stories, linking beer with various foods, and understanding the differences between some of the James Squire and Knappstein beers.
David Callaghan finished off the evening taking us through some of the best practice, the work Procurement are doing at PWC, and some of the characteristics of dealing with such a large worldwide partnership.
Many thanks to the speakers, the NSW committee, and of course all the attendees.
NZ PM promotes New Zealand to Aussies
CIPS hosted the Rt Hon Helen Clark, Prime Minister of New Zealand, as the principal keynote speaker at its recent NSW regional branch event in Sydney on 15 June 2007 at the Westin Hotel.
The NZ Prime Minister backed sustainability in procurement. She said that sustainable procurement had been optional in the past, but was increasingly a compliance issue today. She predicted that organisations – both in the public and private sector – who do not offer sustainable solutions will be punished by the
consumer.
Ms Clark acknowledged CIPS' recent launch in New Zealand and said that it will help the country lift its standards of professionalism around procurement. Ms Clark spoke about New Zealand’s role as a sourcing solution for Australasian based companies and government organisations; and she also encouraged procurement professionals to take an Australasian approach to their purchasing.
She quoted a recent issue of Time magazine, which stated, “forward thinking and innovation are not limited to any particular part of the world; but they do flourish in New Zealand – and in the mind of Kiwis.” She promoted New Zealand companies as a sourcing solution to the largely Australian audience assembled at the Sydney event.
The morning also featured two presentations from Matthew Hampton, Global Supply Manager, Selleys and Yates (Orica Group) and Antoinette Brandi, Supply Chain Manager, Tenix Marine, who talked about the positive experiences dealing with New Zealand businesses. During her presentation, Antoinette gave a practical insight into procurement at a major Australian company from the perspective of an SME in New Zealand trying to engage with a large Australian corporate. She discussed the issues, trends and key considerations; and the practical ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts’.
The event concluded with a panel Q&A session featuring Phillip Sellars, Executive Director of the Industry Capability Network; Visna Lampasi, Head of Procurement, Tyco Fire & Security, as well as Ms Brandi and Mr Hampton, who
answered questions from the audience.
Download the Prime Minister’s speech is here.
Download Antoinette Brandi's presentation here.
Download Matthew Hampton's presentation here.
There are a handful of copies of the DVD of the PMs speech. If you would like a copy send your request to events@cipsa.com.au.
Click here to read about The Hon Lianne Dalziel opening the Inaugural CIPS New Zealand conference.
