Can procurement evolve from being seen as a cost center to a true strategic business partner? Here's what Cyril Pourrat, CPO of BT Group, thinks: That transformation won't happen until procurement focuses only on managing suppliers or categories. The fundamental transformation happens when procurement: - Can actively shape business strategy, not just execute it. - Co-defines strategy with stakeholders across supplier portfolios - Becomes relevant enough that its performance gets discussed at the highest levels. This level of visibility doesn't come solely from cost savings. When executives can't imagine making major business decisions without procurement's input, you've successfully earned that seat at the table. What's your opinion about it? Can procurement become a true strategic business partner? And how? If you're interested in reading more about strategic procurement, we have a detailed article about it: https://lnkd.in/gfqSW_bJ
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What does ‘good’ Procurement look like? Ask 10 different procurement professionals and I am sure you hear some very different answers. For some, it’s all about cost savings. For others, it’s about risk, resilience and relationships. Some are focussed on innovation, sustainability, and partnerships. And a few, are just trying to get Procurement the recognition it deserves. We regularly hear from our network: ‘We’re being asked to deliver strategic impact.. but still judged on savings’ It is no surprise that so many procurement professionals feel caught between what they could deliver V what the business lets them deliver. The truth is success looks very different in every organisation. What does ‘good’ Procurement look like to you? Max Bell Andrew Docwra Caleb Johnson Jake P. Charlie Wass Maia O’Reilly Thomas Sandford Jayne Hughes Hannah Barden Freddie Thompsett
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When procurement aligns with strategy and emphasizes collaboration, it becomes a driver of innovation and resilience. The focus shifts from cost to value creation at every stage. Procurement links strategy to execution, encourages supplier-driven innovation, and enhances resilience. Recognizing this positions procurement as a key source of value rather than a cost center. 💡 Has procurement become a strategic force in your organization? #Procurement #SupplyChain #SupplierCollaboration #Innovation #BusinessStrategy
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How Strategic Procurement Drives Revenue Growth Strategic procurement unlocks revenue growth — not just cost savings. A few years ago, I led a CapEx program to revamp a non-operational plant. We brought a dormant asset back to life. The result? Production of both a major product and a valuable byproduct — two new revenue streams for the business. That project taught me something simple: procurement’s highest value isn’t reducing costs. It’s enabling growth. ⸻ How procurement drives revenue: 1️⃣ Revenue Enablement – Procuring assets that enable new product lines 2️⃣ Capacity Expansion – Securing infrastructure that increases sales volume 3️⃣ Speed to Market – Reducing cycles to capture opportunities faster 4️⃣ Working Capital – Freeing cash for growth investments 5️⃣ Innovation Partnerships – Building supplier ecosystems that create competitive advantage ⸻ When procurement sits at the strategy table, it doesn’t just save money — it builds businesses. 💬 How does procurement drive growth in your organization? #ProcurementLeadership #CapEx #BusinessGrowth #StrategicSourcing #ProcurementTransformation #OperationsLeadership
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For years, procurement’s success was measured by a single word: savings. If we could buy it cheaper, we’d done our job. That mindset no longer defines excellence. In 2025 and beyond, procurement is not a cost function — it’s a strategic growth driver. The organizations leading today are those whose procurement teams: 1.Accelerate innovation through smarter supplier collaboration, 2.Build resilience that safeguards the business from disruption, and 3.Advance sustainability and brand equity through every sourcing decision. Yet the challenge remains: too many functions are still viewed through a narrow efficiency lens. We report savings, not strategic impact. We deliver value, but often fail to articulate it in the language of the boardroom. It’s time to evolve that narrative. Procurement doesn’t just manage spend — it enables innovation, resilience, and growth.
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Cost Reduction in Procurement In procurement, cost reduction is not just about finding cheaper suppliers — it’s about creating sustainable value. A strategic procurement manager focuses on long-term savings without compromising quality or supplier performance. Here are key strategies that drive effective cost reduction: 🔹 1. Spend Analysis Understanding where money goes is the foundation. Identifying high-cost categories and inefficiencies enables smarter decisions. 🔹 2. Supplier Consolidation Reducing the number of suppliers allows stronger partnerships, better pricing, and simplified processes. 🔹 3. Strategic Negotiation Negotiating based on total cost of ownership (TCO) — not just price — ensures true value. 🔹 4. Process Optimization Automating procurement workflows reduces errors, saves time, and cuts hidden costs. 🔹 5. Collaboration & Forecasting Working closely with internal teams and suppliers helps anticipate demand and prevent overstock or shortages. 💡 Real cost reduction is about efficiency, innovation, and smart collaboration — not just cutting numbers. 👉 What’s your favorite strategy for achieving sustainable cost savings in procurement? #Leadership #TeamManagement #Motivation #SupplyChain #Procurement #SupplyChainCapsules #Eslam_Magdy
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🚀 Procurement as a Business Partner - Driving Strategy, Not Just Savings 🚀 In today’s business environment, Procurement is far beyond its traditional role. It’s not about chasing the lowest price or enforcing processes, it’s about driving strategy, enabling growth, and creating sustainable value. In my experience, the real impact of Procurement comes when we work as true business partners; collaborating early with stakeholders, understanding their goals, and translating them into sourcing strategies that deliver both agility and innovation. The conversations are no longer about “Can we buy this cheaper?” but rather “How can we make this more competitive, more sustainable, and more resilient?” That’s where Procurement adds real value; connecting internal needs with external market opportunities and ensuring decisions are made with the full business picture in mind. #Procurement #Sourcing #BusinessPartner #Strategy #ValueCreation #Innovation
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🌟 Procurement: The Silent Engine of Business Growth 🌟 When I first stepped into the world of procurement, I thought it was all about negotiating prices and managing suppliers. But over time, I realized that procurement is far more than a cost-saving function — it is a strategic lever that drives growth, innovation, and resilience. In today’s fast-paced and unpredictable business environment, procurement teams are at the heart of value creation: 🔹 Strategic Supplier Partnerships: The right supplier relationships don’t just ensure supply — they foster collaboration, co-innovation, and long-term business growth. 🔹 Data-Driven Decisions: Leveraging analytics and market intelligence allows procurement to mitigate risks, optimize sourcing strategies, and make informed decisions that impact the bottom line. 🔹 Sustainability and Ethics: Today, businesses are expected to source responsibly. Procurement drives sustainable practices, ensuring environmental and social responsibility are embedded in every decision. 🔹 Agility and Resilience: Market disruptions are inevitable. Flexible procurement strategies ensure continuity, adaptability, and preparedness for any challenge. Procurement professionals don’t just manage transactions — they connect strategy to execution, creating measurable impact across the organization. Every contract negotiated, every supplier selected, and every risk mitigated contributes to the business’s long-term success. 💡 Takeaway: Procurement is no longer a back-office function — it’s a strategic partner in shaping the future of business. For those in the field, your work is more than numbers; it’s about driving meaningful outcomes that shape industries. #Procurement #Sourcing #SupplyChain #BusinessStrategy #Sustainability #Innovation #Leadership
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Procurement isn’t just about buying, it’s about building connections, creating value, and driving impact. It’s where strategy meets relationships, and every negotiation, contract, and supplier partnership contributes to something bigger: operational excellence and business growth. This journey has taught me patience when deals take time, precision when details matter, and creativity when solutions aren’t straightforward. Procurement has also reminded me that success isn’t measured only in savings, but in trust, collaboration, and continuous improvement. To every procurement professional out there navigating complex supply chains, adapting to market changes, and still finding ways to deliver value, this is a reminder that what we do matters. #Procurement #SupplyChain #StrategicSourcing #ProfessionalGrowth #ValueCreation
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🏆 What being a “Champion in Procurement” truly means to me Early in my career, I thought procurement was all about numbers — cost savings, contracts, and compliance. But over the years, I’ve learned that being a champion in procurement is so much more. It’s about asking the right questions: 🟢 How can we create value beyond price? 🟢 How do we strengthen supplier partnerships, not just manage them? 🟢 How can every sourcing decision contribute to sustainability and long-term impact? True champions don’t just execute — they elevate. They bring people together, drive responsible choices, and turn procurement into a strategic force for change. Because today, procurement isn’t behind the scenes anymore — it’s at the heart of business transformation. ✨ Here’s to every procurement professional who champions integrity, innovation and impact. #Procurement #StrategicSourcing #ValueCreation #ESG
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🌍 The Power of Procurement: Beyond Buying and Selling 🌍 In today’s world, procurement is no longer just about sourcing the cheapest product — it’s about building strategic partnerships, driving sustainability, and ensuring value across every step of the supply chain. Every purchase order tells a story — of cost efficiency, supplier reliability, risk management, and innovation. A great procurement professional doesn’t just manage suppliers; they connect vision to execution and translate organizational goals into measurable impact. In my journey, I’ve learned that the real success in procurement lies in three things: 1️⃣ Strategic Thinking – seeing beyond the price tag to the total value. 2️⃣ Collaboration – aligning internal stakeholders and suppliers to one vision. 3️⃣ Integrity & Agility – making decisions that build trust, not just savings. As I continue growing in this field, I remain passionate about how procurement can transform business outcomes, empower local suppliers, and shape sustainable economies. 💡 If you’re an organization that values strategic procurement, resilience, and long-term impact — I’d love to connect, share insights, and explore opportunities to drive value together. #Procurement #SupplyChain #Sustainability #ValueCreation #CareerGrowth #ProcurementExcellence #Leadership
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