Let's Talk Procurement

Send us Fan Mail Procurement can feel like the job where every problem lands, even when you do not control the root cause. We start by catching up on a listener’s hunt for buyer and procurement assistant roles, why apprenticeships (including CIPS Level 4 pathways) can be a real shortcut to credible experience, and the one skill we both wish we had built earlier: staying calm when a supplier call t...

Send us Fan Mail Force majeure gets tossed around whenever the world gets messy, but most procurement teams only discover what their clause really says when a supplier is already late. We take a clear, buyer-friendly look at how force majeure works in supply chain contracts, what it can legitimately excuse, and why “boilerplate” wording can quietly shift risk onto you at the worst possible time. W...

Send us Fan Mail Forty-seven and a half hours before a flight, Luke admits he has not packed, has no local currency, and only has a rough budget for a four to six month backpacking trip across Central and South America. So we do what we do best: drag travel planning into the world of procurement and see if cost control can survive contact with real life. If you care about smart spending, practical...

Send us Fan Mail A listener asks a simple question that every procurement professional should take personally: what can we do right now to stay future-proof over the next five years? Our first instinct is to joke about AI hype and quitting to “find yourself”, but the real answer sits underneath the banter: the best way to future-proof your procurement career is to build durable skills that survive...

Send us Fan Mail We turn a silly pun challenge into a serious guide to passing the Advanced Practitioner project and building change that lasts. It ends with a live CIPS results reveal at the airport and a cheer as the plane boards. Will Luke 10 get his final pass of the journey? Will we ever hear from him again?? • how to frame an assignment title that wins approval • primary research using stake...

Send us Fan Mail We answer a listener’s question on breaking into procurement, then unpack how frameworks speed buying while staying compliant. Along the way we share real CCS evaluation insight, social value pitfalls, and where a DPS can beat a framework. • translating a law degree into procurement advantage • core procurement cycle from need to contract management • interview tactics using every...

Send us Fan Mail We share a quick check‑in from a cold January, outline what’s coming in 2026, and talk through Luke’s sabbatical plans with a mix of jokes and practical next steps. From a CIPS tutor session to vintage exam papers, we set a path for useful, human, and curious episodes. • 2026 preview with banked episodes and production update • CIPS tutor insights and assignment module results on...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wonder how much personal data passes through your contracts, emails, and supplier handshakes? We sat down with Sara, a compliance lead who lives at the intersection of data protection, information security, and business continuity, to translate privacy law into buyer-friendly moves you can deploy today. No jargon. No scare tactics. Just clear guidance on where risk hides and...

Send us Fan Mail Ever failed an exam and felt like it defined you? We’ve been there, and today we unpack a practical, no-fluff plan to turn repeated CIPS Level 4 setbacks into momentum. Starting from Kareem’s email, we map the exact steps to recover confidence and results: how to structure essay answers under pressure, how to read examiner reports for recurring patterns, and how to practise in a w...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wish stakeholders called procurement first, not last? We dig into a live MCIPS Corporate Award project aimed at fixing exactly that, using three levers—procurement efficiency, process automation and behavioural insights—to make early engagement the easiest path for the business. Along the way, we tackle the hot take that the Corporate Award is the “easy route,” share what CIP...

Send us Fan Mail A chance encounter at a wedding with a sportswear buyer kicks off a fast, funny, and deeply practical tour of the football kit business. We break down the hidden economics behind those £70 shirts using Porter’s Five Forces, showing where brand power wins, where it leaks, and how clubs and manufacturers really negotiate. We start with the state of play: intense rivalry among Adidas...

Send us Fan Mail Tariffs can feel like a policy headline—until they hit your PO, your budget, and your delivery dates. We unpack what a tariff really is, why governments reach for it, and how those choices cascade through price, lead time, and supplier behaviour. From sudden trade-war spikes to quietly expanding duty lists, we map the real routes by which costs climb and explain why “someone else...

Send us Fan Mail We draw a clear line: season three starts now with a sharper format, stronger guests, and a promise to keep the humour while raising the bar. We share what’s coming—CIPS tutors, practical topics like data protection and team design, and a steadier hand on structure. • Let's Talk Procurement season three is here! • what listeners can expect from the two Lukes • upcoming guests...

Send us Fan Mail A single ship lodged sideways for six days. Global trade paralyzed. Billions of dollars in goods delayed. The Ever Given incident in the Suez Canal wasn't just a maritime mishap—it was a wake-up call for procurement professionals everywhere. When the massive container vessel blocked this critical waterway in March 2021, it created ripple effects that reached every corner of g...

Send us Fan Mail What does Generation Z want from a career in procurement? And are industry bodies like CIPS missing the mark completely when trying to attract young talent? In this thought-provoking episode, we dissect a recent CIPS article attempting to appeal to Gen Z procurement professionals—and why comparing the profession to "planning parties with cake and magic shows" might not b...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever submitted an assignment and immediately thought "I've definitely failed that one"? In this candid episode, Luke 10 takes us through his experience with the dreaded Category Management and Contract Management combined assignment for his CIPS qualification. The procurement certification journey is rarely smooth sailing, and this episode pulls back the cu...

Send us Fan Mail What makes the difference between an average procurement professional and a genuinely influential business partner? The answer might surprise you – it's not just procurement expertise, but genuine business acumen that transforms your impact. In this thought-provoking episode, we explore why procurement professionals need to shed the "procurement person" label and em...

Send us Fan Mail Ever feel like procurement professionals are speaking an entirely different language? You're not alone. In this episode, we tackle the cryptic world of procurement acronyms – those seemingly innocent letter combinations that can make or break your understanding of contracts, negotiations, and supplier relationships. From the foundational NDAs, to the nuanced differences betwe...

Send us Fan Mail What does your dream procurement job look like? That's the question at the heart of this revealing episode where we open up about our ideal roles in the procurement world. The episode takes an unexpected personal turn with the announcement of big personal news from Luke1! For one host, the perfect procurement position combines passion with profession. His vision represents th...

Send us Fan Mail Want to learn about CIPS Objective Response (OR) exams? This episode delivers exactly what you need to succeed. We're joined by Nic, a procurement professional from a multi-generational procurement dynasty, who shares how he's achieved an impressive 90% average across his multiple choice exams.  Rather than generic study tips, Nick reveals the specifics that appear in vi...

Send us Fan Mail The hosts discuss global strategic supply chain management while revealing Luke 10s third assignment results live. Lowlights • Haircuts and barber experiences sets a light tone for the episode • Celebration of reaching 6,000 podcast downloads with shout-outs to new listener locations worldwide • Detailed discussion about the challenges of globalization in procurement, including re...

Send us Fan Mail We dive deep into what procurement professionals actually do day-to-day, breaking down misconceptions and revealing the strategic value behind the function. Sharing personal experiences, we explore how procurement is about far more than simply blocking progress or finding the cheapest price. • Procurement isn't about delaying projects out of spite but conducting essential due...

Send us Fan Mail Our hosts discuss practical strategies for progressing in a procurement career, covering everything from education pathways to handling imposter syndrome and building influential stakeholder relationships. • Multiple pathways into procurement including degrees, apprenticeships, qualifications, or transferring from adjacent roles • Exposure to senior stakeholders is a key benefit o...

Send us Fan Mail We discuss the challenges and unexpected triumphs of tackling the CIPS Commercial Management in Procurement module, revealing Luke 10's results to you listeners and Luke live on this recording. • Deep dive into the content of the Commercial Management module focusing on organisational strategy • Exploring the connections between corporate strategy and supply chain management...

Send us Fan Mail Confused about Statements of Work (SOWs)? You're not alone! We cut through the jargon to reveal what truly matters in this essential procurement document. We start by addressing a common misconception that procurement professionals simply "press buy" - when in reality, we're crafting sophisticated frameworks for accountability and project success. The humble St...