Global supply chains are under immense strain. Procurement leaders need calm heads, a strategic approach and visibility to ensure continuity of supply. How do you pinpoint where your risks lie? What actions can you take to proactively develop resilience? And, how do you respond when the unexpected happens? 

Learn how to approach risk and build resilience from a CPO of a global tier-one aerospace supplier.

AI is reimagining how procurement can deliver strategic value, resilience and innovation. But turning hype into action isn’t easy. How do procurement teams practically adopt AI-powered technology? What do current use-cases look like? And how will agentic AI create new models for autonomy? 

A future-facing discussion explored how the profession can build capability to enable AI’s true potential.

Session supported by Zycus

The Procurement Act 2023 was designed to transform the way public-sector procurement is carried out in the UK. Six months into the new regime, what changes are we seeing so far? How are contracting authorities setting themselves up for success to take advantage of new mechanisms such as the competitive flexible procedure and pre-market engagement? And what is the view from those on the frontline? 

The Cabinet Office’s Lindsay Maguire shared her reflections on the Act’s impact so far; hear how (and why) a major county council underwent a governance refresh; and understand how housing associations are working together to drive best practice across the sector.

The challenges around modern slavery are intensifying. High profile companies have found their supply chains exposed to labour exploitation demonstrating that UK supply chains are by no means exempt to the risks. What are the common indicators that modern slavery might exist in your supply chain? How do you respond if you find it? And, how do you protect the real people at the end of the chain? 

New research from anti-slavery charity Unseen is revealed, and learn the lessons of a victim-centred approach from leading figures in the services and FMCG sectors.  

This year’s CIPS Global State of Procurement & Supply report, supported by GEP, finds a community that is gaining in influence and confidence. Professionals know that they must develop their leadership and strategic skills to bring their insights to the top table. As senior procurement leaders gain permanent seats on the main board, how do you deliver the most impact? Why do procurement and supply leaders hold the keys to driving automation and delivering genuine sustainable impact? 

A panel of CPOs offered their views on the findings and shared valuable advice for the profession to maintain its newfound voice.

The global risk landscape is shifting and procurement and supply professionals must develop strong visibility of the supply chain risks they are exposed to. How can procurement, risk and compliance work closer together? What are the evolving risks to be aware of? And how can you embed a risk management culture into every stage of the supplier lifecycle? 

Learn how a leading advertising and media agency has integrated risk and procurement functions to develop a strategic supplier due diligence programme. Followed by a discussion to explore practical ways of managing evolving risks.

Session supported by Atamis

As the urgency to meet decarbonisation targets increases, procurement and supply professionals play a critical role in driving meaningful emissions reductions. But how do you reach and engage those hard-to-reach suppliers? What can procurement functions do to support SMEs and those organisations that don’t have existing capabilities to capture their emissions data, let alone manage it? And, how do you equip category managers and buyers with effective tools to have meaningful conversations with suppliers? 

Two procurement sustainability leaders will reveal how they are addressing these challenges and hear directly from an SME engaged in their own Scope 3 journey to better understand the supplier perspective.

In a VUCA world, strong supplier partnerships are the foundation of resilient supply chains. An effective supplier relationship management (SRM) programme is foundational to driving value, managing performance and ensuring long-term visibility. What does best practice SRM look like? How can you become more accessible to do business with by make onboarding and performance monitoring seamless? And, how do you build a compelling business case for investing in your SRM capabilities

Learn the core components of a successful SRM programme and how you get buy-in to invest in tools can transform supplier relationships into strategic partnerships.

Session supported by Kodiak Hub

Poorly managed contracts can quickly become a source of confusion, risk and missed opportunity. Bad visibility and manual processes make effective oversight of contracts a major challenge. So, how do you bring order to multiple, complex contracts? What does good contract management lookout throughout the entire lifecycle? And, how can digital tools and AI further enhance these efforts? 

Find out in this session as a global infrastructure firm shares its lessons for success and gain insight into the emerging AI capabilities to reduce your contract risk, better manage supplier performance, and bring clarity to chaos.

Session supported by Agiloft

Having been selected as the new nuclear partner to Great British Energy, it is an exciting time for Rolls-Royce SMR. Yet one that will require the procurement and supply function to rapidly develop its capacity and capability. Where does it develop pathways of competency to manage future expectations? And how do you identify which skills to focus on? 

Hear how Rolls-Royce SMR has invested in its procurement function by benchmarking itself against the CIPS Global Standard and learn how you could use the same Standard to create a new pathway of progression for yourself and your wider team.

It is in procurement’s gift to drive social value in supply chains and ensure that spending drives positive, lasting social impact. But what does meaningful social value look like in practice? 

In this session, hear why procurement can drive social mobility by working with suppliers to set real living wage standards. TfL shared how they created apprenticeship and workplace opportunities for women and underrepresented communities in the engineering sector. And, get top tips on shaping social value-based tender questions and how you measure and report impact.

Session supported by Procure Partnerships Framework

Early steps in procurement can be both exciting and overwhelming. How do you build confidence, credibility, and connections? How do you navigate the rungs of management? And, how do you become visible to climb the ladder quickly?

Hear from three young professionals who are walking this path and navigating the challenges and opportunities that come with it.

Carrot or the stick – what’s the best way to get supplier engagement on sustainability? This (light) debate brings two contrasting opinions to the table. 

Making the case for the softer approach is Stephen Rose MCIPS, head of supply chain services at air traffic controller NATS, and an advocate for building strong supplier relationships. 

Countering is Becky Annison, head of engagement at the legal body Chancery Lane Project, who will explain why adding ESG clauses into contracts is the most effective tool in your arsenal.

Procurement is under pressure to deliver on two fronts: cutting costs and advancing sustainability goals. Balancing these demands has only got harder in a period of supply chain uncertainty and developing regulatory climate. How can organisations make progress on sustainability without compromising cost and availability of stock? Where can trade-offs be found? And on top of this, how do you stay compliant as ESG regulations evolve? 

A senior procurement leader from national retailer Co-op shares how their team is tackling this balancing act on the frontline. And, get practical advice on how to engage suppliers and bring them with you on the journey to managing compliance and meeting your sustainability goals.

Session supported by EcoVadis

The ED&I agenda is under the microscope, but the benefits of an inclusive procurement programme stretch beyond simply ‘doing the right thing’. How do you embed ED&I in your procurement strategy? What does an award-winning inclusion initiative look like? And, how do you measure success to build the business case? 

In this session, Co-op shared how their inclusive supplier hub sparked new conversations and created lasting partnerships, while EDF Nuclear’s internal inclusion strategy drove the team’s performance to new heights.

More is expected of procurement than ever. To keep up and deliver, functions must evolve and embark on ambitious transformation projects – the onus is on heads and directors of procurement to effectively manage these journeys. How do you create buy-in for change at every level of your team? What does it take to lead a successful transformation programme from the front? And how can you navigate resistance to new ways of working, build confidence and embed new ways of working? 

A procurement director at a fast-growing tech company and a public sector transformation leader shared their stories of delivering complex change programmes and offer honest, candid insights to be successful.

What does it really take to decarbonise your supply chain? Speaking with five years left to go on a commitment to cut Scope 3 emissions (Source to Sale) by 42%, Haleon CPO Richard Crane and Head of Procurement Sustainability Chris Low share how they are incentivising supplier decarbonisation with carbon pricing.

Following the presentation, Richard and Chris were joined by Erin Lyon, director of advisory at EiQ by LRQA – sponsor of the CIPS Sustainable Procurement Pioneers programme – for a panel discussion on how to drive the business case for sustainability.