Pondering Procurement

Khalid Al Barwani MCIPS, Head of Contracts (IT and Digitalisation Services) at Petroleum Development Oman, is a rising star in Procurement and a true success story of how a young professional can accelerate his career. He has previously achieved CIPS Talent and ISM 30 Under 30 Awards and is a part-time University lecturer and international speaker. 

Khalid discusses his fast-paced career journey, the emerging trends shaping the digitalisation of IT contracts, and how to build credibility and earn respect from senior stakeholders. He shares lessons from his leadership philosophy, which centres on empowerment with accountability, and the persuasive techniques he now teaches his team to influence effectively and win procurement hearts and minds.

Category management is evolving fast. So is the role of the procurement professional. Telia’s CPO Nicolas Passaquin joins CASME’s Graham Crawshaw to discuss how leaders are adapting strategies, embracing AI, and building data foundations to meet today’s cost, compliance, and technology demands.

Gain a fresh perspective on procurement in this insightful podcast! Join Jim Colangelo, former CPO for the State of Michigan and now Executive Director of the newly formed Michigan Institute of Public Procurement, as he challenges the cost-savings obsession in a thought-provoking discussion with CASME’s Graham Crawshaw. Together, they explore how shifting from cost-cutting to a customer-focused approach can deliver greater efficiency, strengthen stakeholder relationships, and create sustainable value. Discover the secret to empowering your team, transforming procurement culture, and still achieving meaningful savings—without the stress. 

Tamra Pawloski, Senior Director and Global Head of Leveraged Procurement and Corporate Real Estate at Corteva Agri-Science, joins host Graham Crawshaw to discuss the critical role of change management in Procurement. From harnessing technology and AI to revolutionise processes, to forging strategic relationships and uniting teams, they share actionable strategies for navigating change with precision and impact. With a wealth of practical insights, Tamra offers a deep dive into balancing people, processes, and tools to achieve sustainable outcomes in an ever-shifting business environment.

A diverse supply chain programme is essential for business today, as it enhances value, safeguards reputation, promotes sustainability, manages risks, and future-proofs procurement practices. In this episode, special guest Deaneesha Govender, Strategic Sourcing Category Manager at Intel Corporation, joins host Graham Crawshaw to explore Intel's globally-recognised supplier diversity programme and its role in contributing to both business success and positive community impact. Deaneesha shares insights into the programme's evolution, and she offers practical strategies for integrating diverse suppliers, achieving ambitious Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) goals, and leveraging these initiatives to deliver meaningful results.

Special guest Craig Butler, Senior Category Manager, Marketing Procurement, Europe at Kellanova discusses the pivotal role of Marketing Procurement in shaping business outcomes with host Graham Crawshaw. They highlight the need to apply diverse skill sets to navigate 3-pillar internal structures and manage the various business objectives, and simultaneously build trust both internally, and with external agencies. 

Join Chaminda Madduma, Head of Purchasing at 4Cabling, and host Graham Crawshaw in this engaging podcast about the complexities of talent management – one of the themes being tackled at this year’s ProcureCon Australia. 

Before they both appear at the event, they've taken the opportunity to discuss the critical role of talent in organisational success, and share insights on maximising internal resources while strategically integrating external talent. From career-development initiatives to fostering a positive internal culture. 

Chaminda provides practical strategies to navigate the intricacies of enhancing procurement talent skills, the effect of AI integration, and effective recruitment practices to build a resilient and dynamic Procurement workforce.

While environmental and economic sustainability have traditionally taken the spotlight for Procurement, it’s now the turn of social sustainability.  Ignoring it could mean risking your organisation's reputation, embracing it presents an opportunity for success. Discover more from our special guest Victoria Folbigg, Co-Chair of the Sustainable Procurement Pledge (SPP) Human Rights Chapter, as she explains why it’s essential to promote equality, justice, and human rights in supply chains - regardless of market location and type. Victoria highlights the risks for organisations that ignore these issues, and offers practical advice for category managers to consider human rights in their strategies, risk assessments and contracts. Tune in to learn why Procurement should lead the way in addressing human rights, how it can make a difference, and why everyone needs to be aware of these issues.

Given the rapid rise in the capabilities of generative AI, finding the right digital solution is crucial for transforming procurement processes; whether that be completely new tools, or existing system add-ons. Once again, the focus is on ProcureTech for special guest James Meads and host Graham Crawshaw.  Together, they explore business case strategies for justifying the investment - from supplier relationship management to achieving sustainability targets - plus some other interesting perspectives.

Business acumen training is not the exclusive entitlement of leadership; Procurement teams need it too!  Beyond gaining the essential technical skills of procurement, business skills such as effective communication, change management and relationship-building are crucial for adding value, improving purchasing processes, and gaining innovation within the organisation’s supply base.  In this episode, our special guest Malcolm Harrison and host Graham Crawshaw explore the possibilities and practicalities of being mentored as a means to broaden these skillsets through learned and lived experiences of a group or individual mentor.