Rupert Gaster

How did you come to work in Procurement?

In the early part of my career I was introduced to someone working in recruitment. The way they described it appealed to me - a focus on people with a good dash of marketing and sales. This led to my first role with one of the big global recruitment agencies where I first specialised in the finance and accountancy sector. Procurement teams often reported into Finance so I got a taste for what they did. This transpired to be the catalyst for setting up Procurement Heads.

What was most appealing about specialising in Procurement?

15 years ago, procurement was still relatively un-tapped and some folk barely knew what it was. But I could see that procurement's time would come. Spotting the opportunity I set up Procurement Heads and I've never looked back. As a result of Brexit, Covid, climate change and all the World's VUCA, procurement has become instrumental to the survival and growth of companies. To be part of this sea-change motivates me every day.

What are your clients and team most looking for in procurement talent?

My answer has changed considerably over recent years. In the past, clients would be most interested in a candidate's sector knowledge - 'don't send me anyone who's not already an expert at professional services'. Now, what we're looking for most is how candidates deploy their skills: how they partner with other teams; how they work with suppliers without an unnecessarily aggressive approach; and how they work without a mandate. Great procurement professionals are so good at building relationships, they don't need a mandate. Closely linked to this is how good candidates are at 'storytelling' - bringing to life the change they want to make.

Why should graduates pick procurement over other options?

The variety of experiences and depth of skills that those new to procurement can gain is second to none. Millennials and GenZ cite caring for the planet as one of the most important drivers for choosing a company - being able to align their personal motivations with their careers is powerful. Procurement is also fast becoming a talent exporter and a conduit to senior leadership roles. Procurement professionals who have spent 10-15 years building their operational and strategic acumen are becoming the C-Suite business leaders of the future.

What is the hardest or most interesting role you have filled?

We've filled amazing roles from The Supply Chain Director for Berry Bros & Rudd, to Head of Procurement for THIS plant-based Meat. But the hardest to fill was for a tea taster at Twinings. We reviewed 300 foodie candidates and only one hit the mark. During the Tea Tasting interview the candidate had to tell the difference between seasons, years and tea estates. I tried the test - it's fair to say I didn't pass.

What's the funniest thing that's happened when interviewing a candidate?

One time someone walked into our office with their dog thinking we were a Job Centre. Unfortunately, the dog decided to do a whoopsie in the middle of the office whilst we were interviewing a candidate. In this instance Procurement Heads failed to find a role for either the interloper or the dog!

What makes Procurement Heads unique?

We have an amazing team built around a strong values set. We invest back into the profession through: thought leadership to shape the future of procurement; inclusion and diversity - when I started in procurement recruitment I could sum it up in three stark words: 'male, pale, stale'. We work super hard to support and promote the careers of people from all walks of life. And we partner with businesses like yours which means we really understand the wider context of the procurement profession.

How does procurement need to adapt over the coming years?

Supply, cost and quality will continue to remain core. The fourth driver the profession needs to truly embrace is sustainability. It's getting there but it still feels a bit of an add-on. There's no team better placed to deliver sustainability than procurement. There has been good progress by companies in creating their sustainability strategies which now need a relentless drive to be implemented.

What would you do during a 2 month sabbatical?

I absolutely love India. I did an amazing trip from Mumbai down the Western Ghats to Kerala and then across to Chennai - the incredible spirit of the Indian people that made us feel so welcome. My grandparents lived in Sri Lanka for 6 years. Holidays were a sensory experience from a young age with the myriad of smells of Colombo's food markets. A huge culture shock, but one that I've loved and embraced ever since.

Rapid Fire

Cycling or Surfing?

Surfing | Thai or Indian food? Indian | Modern or Period architecture? Period