CPO CSCO STRATEGY
50 qualifications , I always look for the CIPS qualifications . Furthermore , I always look for the examination route to ensure that the individual has attained a particular level – that they ’ ve had to do a certain core set of examinations including the legal exams ”.
All functions within modern business have been transformed by technology over the past few years , and procurement is no different . “ Nowadays , there are tools available to do much of the procurement activity . It started out with linking the supplier database to the procure to pay activity . This has emerged in some more sophisticated procurement functions as a full guided procurement , which enables the business to buy what they need , when they need it from the suppliers .” Powell adds that this selection of high-tech tools has now spread to the strategic procurement end , such as easy-to-use RFX tools .
Increasingly , staff in organisations expect to be able to use technology within their job the same simple way they would be able to use it from the stakeholder perspective at home . For example , if a consumer can use Amazon to purchase items at home on a smartphone anytime , anywhere , their experience at work should be no different . “ The challenge for procurement is to enable such an experience as much as possible , while also enabling key strategic relationships . It ’ s not easy ,” qualifies Powell .
Indeed , eprocurement and the like carry the caveat in the minds of many that soon automation will replace the human element – but professionals , Powell among them , argue this is
FACTS
Richard Powell was recently interim Chief Procurement Officer at UK telecoms giant TalkTalk , where he led the organisation ’ s spend reduction programme . Powell has over 25 years of experience in the procurement space and is currently director of his own procurement consultancy service , Powell Procurement Services Ltd , and is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply ( CIPS ).
Powell is an advocate for the role of the procurement professional , and has most recently written an article entitled ‘ Fly procurement , Fly !’ on the topic , which garnered significant attention online .
DECEMBER 2018