In this episode, Martin Smith interviews Alex Jennings, an experienced procurement and commercial professional who has worked for companies such as GE and Toyota.

They discuss Alex's career journey, his experience in managing teams, and the changes in the procurement profession.

They also delve into Alex's entrepreneurial journey and the launch of his procurement platform, the Alchemie Network. The platform aims to connect procurement, supply chain, and sustainability professionals and provide them with tools for personal and professional development.

Alex emphasises the importance of building strong teams, understanding individual strengths and weaknesses, and creating a culture of trust and diversity.

This episode of Talent Talks covers:

● Alex Jennings 40 years worth of experience within procurement and commercial roles.

● The importance of building strong teams that complement each other's strengths and weaknesses.

● That diversity, both in terms of demographics and thought, is crucial for a healthy and successful team.

● The need for a culture of trust and an environment where team members feel comfortable challenging each other.

● The evolution of procurement from a fulfilment-focused function to a strategic role that requires managing supply chain risks and disruptions.

● Alex introduces the Alchemie Network, a procurement platform that aims to connect professionals and provide tools for personal and professional development.

In this episode, Martin Smith speaks to Tom Hajek, an independent consultant and head of strategic procurement at Checkatrade. They discuss the key ingredients for successful procurement transformation.

Tom emphasises the importance of aligning procurement with high-level business objectives and applying a framework of people, processes, and technology. Tom also shares his methodology for prioritising transformation efforts and delivering commercial wins.

He highlights the need for procurement to be perceived as a strategic enabler of the business and offers insights on attracting and developing procurement talent. Tom concludes by discussing the challenges faced by procurement teams and the profession as a whole.


This episode of Talent Talks covers:

1. Align procurement with high-level business objectives to deliver successful transformation.

2. Prioritise transformation efforts based on stakeholder engagement and burning issues.

3. Position procurement as a strategic enabler of the business to elevate its brand.

4. Attract and develop procurement talent with a focus on aptitude, commerciality, and sound judgment.

Summary

In this episode, Martin Smith interviews Brad Mills, the first recruit of Talent Drive, about his experience in procurement recruitment.

They discuss the challenges and opportunities in the retail and hospitality sector, the market outlook for 2024, and the changes in procurement recruitment over the years.

Brad shares tips for hiring and emphasises the importance of diversity and agility of thought in the hiring process. They also highlight the value of industry experience in recruitment. Brad provides insights into the current state of procurement recruitment and offers valuable advice for both hiring managers and candidates.

This episode of Talent Talks covers:

1. The retail and hospitality sector faced challenges in 2023, but there are positive aspects and opportunities for growth in 2024.

2. Leadership roles are emerging in procurement, creating new opportunities for professionals in the field.

3. The recruitment process should focus on finding candidates who are a 7 or 8 out of 10, with the right soft skills and potential for development.

4. Diversity and agility of thought are important in hiring, as they bring different perspectives and ideas to the team.

5. Industry experience is valuable, but candidates from diverse backgrounds can also bring unique insights and skills.