Summary
In this episode, Martin Smith interviews Gavin Boswell, the Director of Procurement at Serco.
They discuss Gavin’s 10-year career at Serco and the evolution of procurement over the past 30 years and the changing role of procurement professionals. They also explore the value proposition of procurement and the different methods used to deliver cost reduction and value optimisation.
Gavin discusses the challenges and opportunities that come with leading transformation efforts in different organisations and emphasises the importance of creating alignment and appreciating the criticality of leadership in driving successful transformations.
Gavin also discusses AI and its potential impact on procurement regarding processing activities, such as purchase order and invoice processing, as well as more strategic activities like supplier relationship management, innovation, sustainability and risk management.
Takeaways
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- Different methods and approaches are used to deliver cost reduction and value optimisation in procurement. Procurement plays a crucial role in creating value that improves business margins.
- Innovation and building relationships with suppliers are key to enhancing competitiveness.
- Prioritisation and focus may vary depending on different business units. The priorities in procurement have changed over the past 10 years.
- Curiosity leads to a data-driven approach and enables strategic and business-focused procurement.
- Being proud of the profession and the journey of development in procurement is rewarding and fulfilling. Procurement is a crucial function that impacts the success of a business in various ways.
- AI could play a significant role in procurement, freeing up talent for more impactful activities.
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Chapters
02:01 – The Value Proposition of Procurement
04:20 – Prioritisation and Focus in Different Business Units
06:23 – Transformation and Development
08:23 – Creating an Environment for Collaboration in Procurement
11:23 – The Importance of Alignment
13:35 – Challenges of Achieving Alignment in a Complex Business
15:50 – Developing a Business Mindset
20:38 – The Rewarding Journey of Development in Procurement
21:53 – Continuous Learning and Evolution in Procurement
23:51 – The Future of Procurement in the Digital Age
24:12 – The Role of AI in Procurement
25:15 – The Role of Automation in Procurement
25:58 – Unlocking Talent through Automation
26:18 – Using Automation for Processing and Strategic Activities
