The Influence of Procurement article archive

“I don’t look and sound like many other leaders, but that’s what makes me different” 

19 September 2024

CIPS’ 2024 Leader of the Year Jacqui Rock reflects on her unique leadership style; how procurement must use the language of executive boards; and the “enormous” pressures on the NHS.

Don't be a procurement leader, be a business leader 

22 August 2024

The secret to becoming a successful procurement leader lies in adopting a strategic mindset. To excel, you must think and act like a business leader, advise C-Suite executives.

Why relationships and storytelling matter for procurement position without power 

25 July 2024

Building relationships is crucial for gaining power and using it to increase procurement’s influence, say CPOs from Revolut, Collins Aerospace and Segen.

“Procurement changed my life”

15 April 2024

The procurement and supply profession is uniquely placed to tackle issues of social inequality and social mobility, say the founders of a new social enterprise.

Building supply chain resilience at Vodafone

28 March 2024

Vodafone’s Ninian Wilson shares how diversification, healthy inventory levels and an intimate understanding of its suppliers have acted as a shock absorber for global disruption.

Procurement and supply comes to Hollywood

21 March 2024

These blockbuster films perfectly illustrate the intricacies of procurement and supply chain management.

How to make procurement front and centre

18 January 2024

Education, communication and collaboration are the answers to raising the profile of procurement and supply within an organisation says Dr Vera Ndrecaj.

Raising the profile of procurement: the NHS story

12 January 2024

The pandemic brought the NHS procurement team front and centre. Now the challenge for the 4000-strong team is to remain there.

Creating a world-class procurement function

8 December 2023

Five global procurement leaders give their advice on building a world-class procurement function at the CIPS Saudi Arabia Conference.

Eight ways to create procurement value

26 October 2023

From supplier innovation, new revenues and marketing cooperation, procurement can add value beyond price negotiations.

Scratch Procurement: Lise Honsinger of Notpla

17 October 2024

As our plastic problem mounts, Notpla’s chief revenue officer Lise Honsigner, sees a major opportunity for procurement to drive sustainability in the supply chain by shifting to sustainable packaging innovations.

Be a businessperson – not a procurement person

To become true strategic enablers, procurement professionals need business acumen to drive real change and wider business success.

How Sainsbury’s procurement team led the way in launching a new EV charging network

22 January 2025

When Sainsbury’s launched an electric vehicle charging network at its supermarkets, it provided added value to customers in an area where UK infrastructure falls short – and procurement drove the whole initiative. 

Benchmarking sustainability in aviation: the NATS story

03 February 2025

With a supply chain responsible for 70% of the company's emissions and a net zero target to hit by 2035, the NATS procurement team is taking the lead on progressing sustainability.

Be bold: demand fair pay and a living wage for your supply chain

05 March 2025

Organisations that pay a living wage have a happier, more productive and resilient workforce. By asking suppliers to do the same, procurement can drive social mobility throughout the wider supply chain.