Procurement Professional is the official publication of CIPS Australasia

NZ Strategic Procurement Forum another success

18 Jun 2009

The Third CIPS New Zealand Strategic Procurement Forum, opened by The Hon. Simon Power MP, brought 165 delegates together for a programme that explored managing procurement in difficult times. 

 Held at SkyCity Auckland Convention Centre on 11 June, the forum received a 95% satisfaction rating from those who attended.

An expert line-up of seasoned procurement professionals and presenters addressed key issues including managing suppliers in volatile markets and measuring what you are doing.  The later section of the programme gave delegates practical advice for category management and better understanding some of the tools that can assist in driving efficiency.

Jonathan Dutton, Managing Director of CIPS Australia, says the forum was another successful event.

“There were more organisations represented this year than in 2008. That’s excellent, especially given the difficult economic climate.

“The line-up of expert speakers provided some very useful insights and advice that I hope delegates will be able to apply in their own organisations.”

Speakers included:

New NZ Minister of Commerce The Hon. Simon Power MP, who officially welcomed delegates to the forum and announced the Government’s proposed reform of public sector procurement.  He called on public sector procurers to deliver tangible cost benefits with twelve months.

Tony White MCIPS, former Group General Manager of Strategic Procurement at Qantas, who explored the temptation of getting tough with suppliers when there’s pressure to make cost reductions.  He examined the pitfalls of such a strategy and looked at ways to do it smarter.

Scott Brownlee, General Manager of Group Procurement at Fonterra, who spoke about the need for businesses to review every aspect of their operations, challenge the status quo and ask if there are better ways of working.  He looked at how performance indicators across the procurement process can be used to ensure that both the procurement function and the business are focusing on what’s important.