Procurement Demystified



Overview

The ancient art of trading - the buying and selling of goods and services - relies on trust and integrity, curiosity, communication and collaboration. But as the world becomes increasingly complex, with long, opaque supply chains, how do you recapture the principles that ensure you get a good deal from suppliers every time?

While procurement practices have modernised and professionalised, the traditional trading principles, facilitating successful buyer/supplier relationships across countries, sectors, time zones and currencies, are largely unchanged. It can, therefore, be difficult to know when and how to take action that brings about sustainable improvements to your costs and supplier performance.

In this one-day programme, you will explore the principles of ethics and integrity, curiosity, communication and collaboration to answer four key questions:

  1. How can you work with suppliers to mutually enhance reputations while saving time and money?
  2. What actions can you take to ensure suppliers keep their promises while maintaining positive relationships with them?
  3. How can your suppliers help you achieve your sustainability goals?
  4. How can you leverage procurement to achieve your organisation’s wider objectives?

This interactive course offers you the opportunity to engage in teamwork and collaboration to explore procurement concepts including Kraljic’s matrix (1983) of supplier segmentation, Mendelow's matrix (1991) of stakeholder power and interest, and Porter’s value chain principles (1985).

You will learn how price is used to influence buyers, the importance of market forces in determining price and the role of buyers and procurement teams in securing beneficial supplier relationships.

You will also assess the use of psychology in negotiations and maintaining effective supplier relationships.

This course is aimed at:

  • Senior professionals with responsibility for managing public or private sector procurement teams
  • Project managers aiming to get more from supplier relationships
  • Those interested in joining the procurement profession
  • Other professionals keen to know more about this vital aspect of business operations
  • Volunteers and charity trustees keen to understand how procurement can help to make funds go further.

Programme details

Session 1: Ethics and fundamentals of procurement and supply

An exploration of the ethical principles underpinning procurement and supply activities. A review of the importance of ESG (Economic, Social and Governance) sustainability factors influencing procurement and supply decisions.

Session 2: Value

An assessment of how value is created through the procurement process and consider how negotiation and effective supplier management can enhance value throughout the contract. Followed by negotiation practice.

Session 3: Context analysis

An exploration of a variety of ‘tools’ to help you explore and analyse operating environments and assess how operating environment impact procurement and supply strategy and decisions.

Session 4: Procurement processes

A review of the procurement process: you will consider how you can help to assess risk, develop effective contracts and support improved decision making.

Certification

In order to be eligible for a certificate of attendance, you will need to attend the whole course. Participants who meet this criterion will be emailed after the end of the course with a link, and instructions on how to access their University of Oxford digital certificate.

The certificate will show your name, the course title and the dates of the course you attended. You will be able to download your certificate, as well as share it on social media if you choose to do so.

Fees

Description Costs
Course Fee £685.00

Payment

Fees include course materials, tuition, refreshments and lunches. The price does not include accommodation.

All courses are VAT exempt.

Register immediately online 

Click the “book now” button on this webpage. Payment by credit or debit card is required.

Request an invoice

If you require an invoice for your company or organisation, please email us to request an online enrolment form.  

Payment is then accepted online, by credit/debit card, or by bank transfer. 

Tutor

Fiona Wood

Fi Wood has over 25 years’ experience in procurement leadership and education working with a diverse range of public, private and international organisations, including BT, Yell, Kingfisher Group and a range of retail brands.

Fi later trained as an economics teacher and she has continued to build her teaching experience across schools, colleges, and universities.

More recently, Fi has led global product development and learning for the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) where she designed curricula and innovative teaching methods and developed strategic partnerships with many learning providers to advance procurement practice on a global scale.

Currently pursuing a DPhil, Fi's research focuses on the critical role of curiosity in the work of procurement professionals.

Course aims

  • Identify ways you and your procurement/buying teams can add value to your organisation.
  • Identify actions that contribute to achieving sustainability goals.
  • Appreciate the importance of ethics and integrity, curiosity, communication and collaboration in getting the best from suppliers.
  • Grow your network of contacts of support as you implement value-adding changes in your organisation.

Application

If you would like to discuss your application or any part of the application process before applying, please click Ask a Question at the top of this page.

Accommodation

Although not included in the course fee, accommodation may be available at our on-site Rewley House Residential Centre. All bedrooms are en suite and decorated to a high standard, and come with tea- and coffee-making facilities, free Wi-Fi access and Freeview TV. Guests can take advantage of the excellent dining facilities and common room bar, where they may relax and network with others on the programme.

To check prices, availability and to book rooms please visit the Rewley House Residential Centre website. 

Enrolled students are entitled to discounted accommodation rates for the purpose of study, at Rewley House, and can contact the administration team for the promotional code to use for making online accommodation bookings via the website.

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support