Training - Contract Management
Let’s be frank – contract management isn’t the most exciting aspect of procurement. After all, who likes paperwork and minutia? Most people don’t. For those in the earlier stage of their career understanding legal jargon can be daunting and negotiating the contract with the supplier, harder still. More experienced professionals might not have even been taught this core skill properly and, with a desire to focus on more exciting activities, try to steer clear of contracts whenever possible.
Robust contracts are a key tool to manage your suppliers and minimise risk. So, like them or loathe them, you need to be good at them. Following some simple steps and with a bit of practice, I’ll show you that contract management isn’t nearly as arduous as you might think.
If you’re a Head of Procurement or Procurement Director you might have different needs. Perhaps you’re unhappy with the low level of spend under contract, the poor accessibility of contracts or that the full contract value isn’t derived. As a Procurement Director I’ve had this challenge myself and have some god ideas of how to help you.
Training - Contract Management
Let’s be frank – contract management isn’t the most exciting aspect of procurement. After all, who likes paperwork and minutia? Most people don’t. For those in the earlier stage of their career understanding legal jargon can be daunting and negotiating the contract with the supplier, harder still. More experienced professionals might not have even been taught this core skill properly and, with a desire to focus on more exciting activities, try to steer clear of contracts whenever possible.
Robust contracts are a key tool to manage your suppliers and minimise risk. So, like them or loathe them, you need to be good at them. Following some simple steps and with a bit of practice, I’ll show you that contract management isn’t nearly as arduous as you might think.
If you’re a Head of Procurement or Procurement Director you might have different needs. Perhaps you’re unhappy with the low level of spend under contract, the poor accessibility of contracts or that the full contract value isn’t derived. As a Procurement Director I’ve had this challenge myself and have some god ideas of how to help you.
Course Prospectus
Testimonials
"Simon stepped in at short notice to run my 25-strong Global Food Procurement Team. He has been an excellent choice. Simon has a wealth and breadth of procurement knowledge, built from his various assignments in the past, and is able to draw on these experiences to make a strong impact in a very short time. He has excellent interpersonal skills, is a good listener, able to engage stakeholders and reassure them on the planned outcomes of the resolution of issues.
Simon became an integral member of the leadership team, driving forwards the innovation agenda, with passion, insights and purpose. He is an excellent addition to any team – no matter how long or short the mission.
My only regret is to not have been able to convince him to stay with the organisation on a permanent basis".
Paul Gardner
Vice President, Global Food Procurement, Danone
I delivered an extensive global cost modelling programme for Mars. Click here to read the testimonial from the CPO: >> download
Julia Gorchakova
CPO, Mars Food
Pete Sharman
Founder, THIS
"We have been working with Simon continuously for over a year now and will be continuing that relationship going forwards.
We engaged Simon initially to run a full category review and tender process for our largest input cost category which had seen unprecedented inflation. Not only was Simon able to bring a quantitative, should-cost approach, but he was adept at running the tender process on time and delivering significant savings. We have since continued to “roll” Simon onto other high spend categories where he has shown the same ability to deliver real benefits and in-year ROI. Furthermore, Simon is a pleasure to work with and treads a careful balance in gaining the trust of the internal teams while driving for the savings that management require. I have also seen Simon to be a tenacious negotiator but always in a “nice” way that fits with our brand ethos and long-term partnership approach, his external perspective in the room is also a very valuable approach".
All in all I would not hesitate in recommending Simon
Nick Tovey, COO
Fever Tree
“FUN!! That’s how I would describe working with Simon. All the other testimonials focus on all Simons other great qualities (of which there are many). But the very fact you’re reading this means you’ve probably already established that he knows exactly what he is talking about (which he really does). I would like to highlight the enjoyment the whole team at Holy Moly got from interacting with such a passionate, charismatic and ‘in-tune’ Procurement Professional! Simon was, as at ease with our Co-Founders (tough crowd) as he was with the rest of the gang and our key suppliers to boot. It’s so refreshing dealing with a genuinely light-hearted person and trusting that he ACTUALLY does know what he's talking about. I personally found Simon very inspiring and can’t wait to find another project for him to get his teeth stuck into!!".
Josh Beth
Head of Product, Holy Moly Dips
"From coaching budget holders to writing and delivering strong category plans to advising on everything from sourcing of raw materials to forklift trucks, helping us manage our intellectual property and training many of our employees in negotiation, Simon is always helpful, an excellent critical thinker and a pleasure to work with".
Steve Spall
COO, Tails.com
"Simon undertook a review of our procurement organisation and approach across European markets. He brings an ability to ask great questions, extensive benchmark experience and pragmatism to get the job done in a way that is fit for purpose. He delivered what he said he would deliver on time and to budget and provided regular and timely updates on progress. We received insight and recommendations that we could act on and hence move the function and business forward."
Alison O'Connor
Director Corporate Affairs, Arriva
"Simon helped us during our due diligence process on a potential acquisition. Simon focused on upside potentials, mainly within the value chain steps recipe development and composition, procurement and sourcing. In our view, Simon has an in-depth experience and detailed knowledge in this industry and his input was instrumental in assessing the target at hand.
Throughout the project, Simon constantly demonstrated a strong commitment to the project; his expertise was also highly acknowledged by the key management of the target. Working with Simon was very pleasant, as he adhered to all deadlines and his reports/analyses were spot on and well elaborated.
In case the project had materialised, we would have suggested to engage Simon in a longer term commitment to execute the identified optimisation projects and rebuild-up the full R&D/purchasing organisation within the target (project duration >12 months).
We look very much forward to working with Simon again".
Finn Pilath
Associate, Ergon Capital Partners
"Simon played a pivotal role in the setting up and development of Malawi Mangoes. Working with the leadership team to secure the full scale investment, creating and implementing the end-to-end supply chain, marketing Malawi Mangoes on the world stage, devising the commercial strategy, procurement of factory capex and running the risk committee with the investors, Simon's insights, ideas and courage to challenge the status quo proved invaluable in transforming Malawi Mangoes operations from concept to reality.”
Rob Kay Shuttleworth
Chairman, Malawi Mangoes
"Simon was instrumental during a period of great change in my life. He gave me the confidence to make some tough, life changing decisions and took me on an exciting journey of self-discovery. What I learned will have an effect on me for the rest of my life and I’d fully recommend his coaching - for everyday decisions through to a life changing career move.
A great listener who genuinely cares, Simon challenged me on difficult topics and taught me techniques to get through tricky situations. Taking on any challenge with passionate enthusiasm, his positive approach made me believe I could achieve anything. Without his mentoring, I would not be where I am today".
Jacqui Walker
Marketing Director, Walkers Biscuits
James McMaster
CEO, Huel
Jon Peattie
Commercial Director, Mars North America
‘’Simon is a realist, is perceptive and has real business acumen. His insight and experience meant that very quickly he gathered an understanding of the key factors in what is a very complicated business. He will acknowledge best practice when it is present and advocate a no change policy supported by facts. Where practices are found wanting he highlights the shortcomings constructively along with explanations and ways to improve. With Simon you always feel he is working with you from a position of understanding to enhance business performance rather than reciting text book procurement mantra with empathy absent. This, combined with his genuine enthusiasm for his subject area and contagious passion for procurement meant he was a pleasure to work with. For these reasons his consultancy is one that is really worth having.’’
Simon Esdale
Procurement Director, Flamingo Horticulture
"Simons passion for procurement is infectious and shined through in the recent project he delivered for us on two of our core commodities.
He transformed our knowledge of the markets, suppliers and value chains involved and showed us the approach for top class procurement. Simon set the foundation for great relationships with future suppliers and was a pleasure to travel with on our origin scoping trip.
He leaves no stone unturned when it comes to fact finding in order to gather a robust view of cost drivers and identify opportunities to optimise supply.
Simon brings in expert partners to cover technical and sustainability topics which added a valuable extra layer to the procurement process. He strikes a great balance of leading the charge while being open to challenge, new ideas and discussing options".
Mari Haughey
Operations & Sustainability Director, Pip&Nut
"Simon is a highly engaging, extremely professional, structured and technically very competent procurement professional who has added immensely to our business.
Not only has Simon put in place the strategy and framework, Simon has delivered large parts of it while at the same time coaching and developing a young team around him. A key strength of Simon’s is imparting his knowledge onto the young up and coming next generation of talent to ensure continuity.
The key deliverable was to in-source our raw material sourcing while getting closer to the ingredient source to ensure quality, technical specification and price. Simon has delivered on this and achieved the return on investment we set out to achieve at the start.
I can highly recommend Simon for any Supply Chain activities with his very broad commercial base and experience".
Grant Coetzee
COO, Huel
"Stevia Afrika is at the forefront of developing the cultivation of stevia in East Africa. We needed help to set up our supply chain for our plantation in Tanzania. Simon came up with a robust strategy and clear recommendations. He has a common touch and slotted in naturally with ease. Showing creativity in finding and coaching a very capable Tanzanian in Dar es Salaam, he also helped us dispatch the first dried stevia ever to be exported from Tanzania. Proving he could turn strategy into delivery, Simon’s prior experience in Africa clearly showed.
Responsive, task focused and determined to drive a task to completion, I have no hesitation in recommending Simon".
James Davison
Managing Director, Stevia Afrika
"Simon ran our outsourced managed service, focusing on cost reduction, transformation and zero based budgeting. Highly competent, he delivered significant value through programme management, category sourcing strategies and stakeholder engagement.
Simon is conscientious with a strong drive for results and I enjoyed working with him".
Bob Hannon
Chief Procurement Office, Birdseye
"I came to know Simon through a Google search “procurement training for legal people”. I quickly discovered that, not only is he very knowledgeable, but he is also able to translate the heavy procurement language into simpler terms that are more understandable to a procurement newbie, like myself.
Simon delivered a great training to our legal team and, although the training took place online, Simon was able to easily engage with our team and keep us interested, and wanting more! After our session with Simon we feel more confident discussing business matters with our internal procurement team"
Martyna Slowinska
Legal Counsel, EVBOX
“Simon's extensive experience, his clear passion for procurement and his positive, supportive approach
encourages individuals to seek constant improvement of their own knowledge and procurement techniques.
Concise and informative, his training methods are great for team building and good fun. I came away from sessions feeling extremely positive and excited to apply my new techniques to different situations.
Simon's open approach and the support he offers substantially benefit both personal and team growth.
I’d highly recommend Simon for any coaching and team development as the positive influence he has
had on my career will last a lifetime.”
Kirsty McClean
Procurement Manager, Leathams
"Simon is a fantastic coach! He has a wealth of knowledge and diversity of experience to bring training to life and is great at breaking down any problem and simplifying it with models. Simon brings the right balance of support and objective provocation to enhance your results.".