Introduction
This program is designed to enhance the capabilities of Procurement Professionals and Senior Buyers. It focuses on advanced procurement and negotiation techniques, business continuity, and contingency planning. Participants will gain practical tools to improve procurement department effectiveness, reduce supply chain costs, and implement world-class procurement practices.
The course also develops leadership, communication, and team management skills necessary to drive organizational efficiency and supplier performance. Delegates leave with actionable plans for measurable cost savings and improved supplier relationships.
Objectives
Participants will learn to:
- Review and implement critical supply strategies
- Apply activity-based costing (ABC) to procurement decisions
- Understand and manage forces of change in supply chains
- Build rapport, trust, and credibility in workgroups
- Develop skills for strong supplier relationships
- Plan and execute successful negotiations
- Apply category segmentation processes
- Rate and evaluate supplier strengths and weaknesses
- Integrate business continuity and contingency planning into procurement processes
Target Audience
This course is suitable for:
- Senior Buyers and Procurement Managers
- Supply Chain Professionals
- Contract and Tendering Officers
- Category Managers
- Operational managers involved in supplier evaluation and selection
- Professionals preparing for leadership roles in procurement and supply chain management
Course Outlines
Day 1 – Performance Purchasing
- Introduction to Procurement and its organizational contribution
- Supply chain influence and external environment
- Procurement structures and systems
- Critical supply strategies
- Category segmentation process
Day 2 – Supplier Relationship Management
- Transforming supplier relationships
- Developing specifications and working with end-users
- Supplier evaluation criteria and methodologies
- Total cost approach to procurement
- Communication, trust, and credibility
- Shrinking the supplier base
Day 3 – Advanced Negotiation Skills
- Avoiding confrontational negotiations
- Active listening and negotiation with difficult counterparts
- Power closes, negotiation pressure points
- Handling untrustworthy suppliers
- Negotiation tactics and countermeasures
Day 4 – Leadership Skills for Procurement Personnel
- Verbal, non-verbal, and written communication techniques
- Interpersonal interaction and trust-building
- Managing change and human reactions to change
- Enhancing productivity and reducing workplace stress
Day 5 – Advancing Procurement Contribution
- Attracting and retaining supply management talent
- Supplier measurement and vendor rating
- Developing performance-based contracts
- Business continuity and contingency planning
- Activity-based costing (ABC) in procurement
- Price, cost, and value management
- Review, evaluation, and action planning
About London
The UK capital of London is a city that combines the old and the new. It is as equally famous for the latest fashion and innovation as it is for its impressive heritage. London's attractions range from the Royal Palace to the DIY atmosphere of its markets. It is also a picturesque city of parks and of course, the majestic Thames River. The city extends for miles beyond its ancient core and each neighborhood has its own charming atmosphere for visitors to explore. London also wears its status as a world city proudly and the influence of different cultures is plain to see in the food and fashion of the capital.
Things to do and places to visit in London
With so many attractions in London, anyone can find something to delight them. Art lovers will enjoy the world-renowned museums and galleries, most of which are free. Sports fans are spoilt for choice by the city's array of football clubs. Theatre and music fans have a vast list of venues to visit, whilst shopaholics have Harrods, Oxford Street, Camden and much more to look forward to after arranging flights to London.
Some unmissable London attractions include:
- Seeing priceless masterpieces in the Tate Britain or the National Gallery.
- Watching the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace.
- Visiting Trafalgar Square's famous monument.
- Marveling at the Crown Jewels in the Tower of London.
- Getting a bird's eye view of the city from the London Eye.
- Tasting one of Brick Lane's famous curries.
- Browsing the exclusive shops of Knightsbridge.
- Visiting a market – Spitalfields for antiques, Camden for clothes or Borough Market for street food.
- Admiring design from around the world in the Victoria and Albert Museum.
- Looking for clues at the home of fiction's most famous detective, Sherlock Holmes.
- Strolling through one of the lovely parks, including Hyde Park, St James' Park or Kew Gardens.
- Eating Britain's most famous dish, fish and chips.
- Watching the street performers in Covent Garden.
- Enjoying the views at a South Bank cafe.