Strategic procurement is critical to organisations today
Sep, 2008
Tania Seary is the Founding Chairman for The Faculty management consultancy
The Australian procurement profession is gaining greater commercial influence, particularly in regard to strategic planning and business leadership. The role is becoming critical in a market environment where reducing spend alone is an incomplete means for maintaining a competitive advantage.
This growth, in conjunction with an on-going skills shortage, requires the development of middle and senior managers so that they can build and lead effective teams and plan succession strategies.
To address these challenges, MBS, The Faculty (a specialist consultancy firm in the procurement industry), and industry leaders are partnering to deliver the Procurement Executive Program to empower leaders for future challenges.
Some of the world's finest organisations from the resources, services, FMCG, oil & gas, manufacturing and retail sectors formed the advisory committee involved in the design and delivery of the program. MBS Mt Eliza has put forward some of its top people to facilitate including Edmund King, Judy Kent, Robert Burke, Richard Searle and Marc Stigter.
"Procurement around the world is evolving from a transactional to a strategic focus and the profession is now one of the fastest growing in Australasia. Global sourcing, international trade practice, risk management in emerging economies, compliance, cost reduction, supplier management, sustainability and corporate social responsibility are key challenges," said Tania Seary, Founding Chairman, The Faculty.
"Amid these challenges, procurement leaders must respond to continuous technological change and ensure stakeholder buy-in in formulating a total value proposition that is in line with the organisations high level objectives," she said.
The program consists of five, two-day modules which cover leadership, strategic thinking, managing change and futures thinking, strategic cost management, and negotiation in the procurement context. The leadership module is conducted in a residential format at the Mt Eliza campus on the Mornington Peninsula. The other four modules are held at the Carlton campus.
"One of the great benefits of the Procurement Executive Program is the opportunity to network through cross-company syndicate projects. They allow attendees to peer over the fence and look and learn from what others are doing. This translates into immediate benefits for the organisation," she said.
For more information, contact Melbourne Business School's National Enquiry Centre on
T: 1800 00 66 80
