The Procurement Signal

#31: Build a Good Supplier Scorecard

Tue, 15 Sep 2026 13:20:45 +0000

Supplier scorecards can be tricky, over engineered and tedious to put together. Often, we repeat the same mistakes over and over again that makes this output really hard to achieve. So, in this video, I'm giving you 6 facts about a good Supplier Scorecard.

#30: 5 Signs your Procurement role will be obsolete (and how to pivot)

Fri, 11 Sep 2026 06:05:30 +0000

If 80% of your week is spent chasing approvals, manually routing POs, or running lowest-price RFPs on Excel, your procurement role isn't just changing—it’s actively becoming obsolete.

Autonomous sourcing software, self-service intake platforms, and AI risk engines are moving faster than traditional procurement workflows ever could. But automation isn't eliminating procurement; it’s taking away transactional administration.

In this episode of The Procurement Signal, we expose the five major warning signs that your role is at risk and break down the exact pivot strategies you need to build long-term career resilience.

Visit procurementsignal.com for more info.

#29: What does Category Management, Sustainability & Risk have in common?

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 05:02:47 +0000

Spend data is the connective tissue between bottom-line savings, Scope 3 sustainability, and enterprise risk management—yet most organizations leave spend data governance completely unmanaged. In this episode of The Procurement Signal, we break down why dirty data stalls strategic initiatives and map out the non-negotiable data fields you must clean at the source.

Grab your free One-Page Spend Data Field Cheat Sheet on the downloads page at procurementsignal.com.

#28: How long is TOO long at one company?

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 06:57:25 +0000

How long should you actually stay at a company before it starts hurting your career and paycheck? In this video, we break down job tenure stage by stage—from 0–2 years all the way to 10+ years. Discover the difference between building authority vs. becoming "institutionalized," how to avoid the loyalty penalty, and when staying put turns into a major career risk.

Visit www.procurementsignal.com or visit our YouTube channel for more similar content.

#27: Sourcing? Here's how to develop your 'Spidey Sense'

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 11:37:36 +0000

Business stakeholders often focus on short-term project needs, leaving procurement to clean up the mess when a vendor relationship goes wrong. In this episode of The Procurement Signal, we break down how to develop your procurement "spidey sense" using a quick, four-step perceived risk assessment.

Learn how to scan for high-level red flags across cyber security, customer safety, regulatory compliance, and business criticality before signing a contract.

Visit www.procurementsignal.com for more information.

Check out our YouTube channel for more content.

#26: Cost Reduction vs Ethical Sourcing, Here is how do to both!

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 12:28:50 +0000

Every Category Manager and Sourcing Lead knows the feeling: Management wants 15% cost-out in next year's budget, but regulators, investors and shareholders are flashing red lights over ESG responsible obligations.

How do you deliver real bottom-line savings without walking into a regulatory trap? In this episode of The Procurement Signal, I'll break down 1 strategy for turning compliance into commercial leverage.

Visit www.procurementsignal.com

#25: Is a Procurement Career Layoff-Proof?

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 08:55:12 +0000

When corporate layoffs hit the headlines, anxiety ripples through every department. But while marketing budgets freeze and recruiting teams vanish, what happens to procurement? In this episode, we slice through the corporate noise to answer the ultimate question: Is your job in Procurement safe? We break this down at a macro level & reveal the exact procurement roles that are virtually untouchable and expose the "danger zones" currently targeted by AI and automation. If you want to stop fighting fires, clear the operational chaos, and learn how to position yourself as an indispensable corporate shield, this episode is your blueprint. Turn down the noise and tune into the signal.

www.procurementsignal.com

Visit our downloads page.

Check out the QBR micro-course

Rewire Procurement, the book.

#24: The Dos and Don'ts of a QBR

Fri, 17 Jul 2026 03:45:47 +0000

Chances are you’ve sat through your fair share of painful, exhausting, and pointless Quarterly Business Reviews.

All that effort & time spent, only to have participants staring at their phones or listening to an endless presentation from your supplier. Waiting for it to end.

Zero problems highlighted, Zero solutions found.

In this episode, I cover the ways you can rewire your next QBR.

#23: How to Implement a Simple Supplier Governance Framework?

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 02:53:58 +0000

You’ve done the hard work in negotiating a contract, you’ve got the value drivers baked into it. Now what ?

In this episode we go beyond the contract signature and give you a simple 4 step framework to unlock that value during the contract term.

For more information, visit www.procurementsignal.com

#22: Use these responsibility frameworks - RACI, DACI & RAPID

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 11:24:50 +0000

Ever feel like your latest sourcing project isn’t actually a strategic initiative, but just a massive, chaotic game of telephone?

Think about it. You’re trying to launch a standard RFP. But suddenly, Legal is rewriting clauses, Finance is hovering over the budget, the end-users are demanding custom features, and somewhere in the middle, you’re just trying to get a single vendor to give you a straight answer.

Before you know it, a routine contract renewal is caught in a three-month bottleneck because nobody actually knows who has the final say.

In this episode we cover 3 such frameworks - RACI, DACI & RAPID.

Visit www.procurementsignal.com for more info.

#21: The Experts vs Generalists, which one is better?

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 13:22:15 +0000

Generalist vs. Specialist: Who actually thrives in this age of change?

For years, we’ve picked a lane—either master a single, highly specialized niche (aka The Expert) or build a wide, multi-disciplinary toolkit (aka The Generalist). But as the corporate landscape rapidly shifts, the old rules of job security no longer apply.

In this video, we break down the distinct survival mechanisms (and fatal flaws) of both deep and broad skillsets and reveal some tips for you to be in the driver's seat.

Visit www.procurementsignal.com for more info.

#20: Why is procurement so busy?

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 13:14:17 +0000

Its 5 PM on a Friday, you are completely exhausted, and wonder where the week went? You’ve been running from meeting to meeting, your inbox is overflowing, and yet... feel you haven't moved an inch. Welcome to the procurement "busy work" trap. There is a massive difference between doing busy work and actually delivering strategic value.

In this episode, we cover three reasons why people in procurement are so busy and ways to fix it.

Visit www.procurementsignal.com for more info.

#19: Will AI Take Your Job or Save Procurement's Identity?

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 06:02:10 +0000

While everyone is talking about AI’s boost to productivity, we are tackling the elephant in the room: What does AI actually mean for your career and the future of procurement jobs?

In this episode, we break down the AI revolution into three crucial parts:

Part 1: The Evolution of the Procurement Role – Why the days of the "data gatherer" and spreadsheet wrangler are numbered, and how AI paves the way for you to become a "Commercial Architect."
Part 2: The 3 Phases of AI Adoption – A roadmap from Assisted AI (your smart assistant) and Augmented AI (predictive insights) to the frontier of Autonomous AI.
Part 3: Risks vs. Opportunities – How to harness massive efficiency gains while navigating data privacy nightmares and the trap of "flawed data in, flawed conclusions out."

So, settle in—this is a deep dive you cannot afford to miss if you want to future-proof your career.

Enjoyed the episode? Don't forget to hit subscribe, leave a review, and pick up a copy of "Rewire Procurement" for more.

Links & Resources:

Our website: www.procurementsignal.com
Check out the book, Rewire Procurement - https://amzn.asia/d/08kJB3rt

#18: The 3 Stakeholder Personality Types you'll come across

Thu, 28 May 2026 09:48:06 +0000

When you work with your peers or managers for a sourcing event and got “silence” or a “not what I was expecting”, it's because of their personality type.

Managing a sourcing project or initiative isn't just about tracking timelines—it’s about understanding human psychology. In this video, we break down the 3 distinct stakeholder personalities you will meet on every single initiative, and how you need to handle them without losing your mind.

Stop chasing people down and start getting exactly what you need in half the time!

Links & Resources:

Our website: www.procurementsignal.com
Check out the book, Rewire Procurement - https://amzn.asia/d/08kJB3rt

#17: Is Your Procurement Leader Out of Sync with the team?

Wed, 13 May 2026 01:34:27 +0000

Ever wonder why a top-tier procurement team suddenly falls apart when a new CPO arrives? Or why a department that used to be "all about the savings" is suddenly struggling to talk about innovation?

In this episode of The Procurement Signal, we’re pulling back the curtain on the force that dictates your team’s success: Leadership Archetypes. Culture doesn’t just happen; it’s driven from the top. Whether your leader is a "Bottom-Line Driver," an "Innovation Visionary," or an "Ethical Steward," their philosophy creates a ripple effect that touches every contract, every supplier, and every team member.

The Reality Check: If your leader and your team aren’t speaking the same language, you aren't just facing awkward meetings—you’re facing a systemic breakdown. Is your team evolving, or is it just experiencing friction?

Tune in to find out where you stand and how to survive the transition.

Links & Resources:

Our website: www.procurementsignal.com

Check out the book, Rewire Procurement - https://amzn.asia/d/08kJB3rt

#16: Juggling Modern Slavery Compliance for Procurement teams

Tue, 05 May 2026 05:50:00 +0000

The hidden reality of forced labor in global supply chains is no longer just an ethical concern—it is a legal and financial minefield. In this episode of The Procurement Signal, we trace the 20-year evolution of Modern Slavery regulations. We move from the early "transparency" laws of California and the UK to the high-stakes era of 2026, where trade bans, civil liability, and fines of up to $250,000 are the new reality for procurement teams.

Whether you are part of a global enterprise or a small private business, the burden of compliance has shifted. Procurement is now expected to be part investigator, part educator, and part data analyst. But how do you manage N-tier mapping and rigorous due diligence when you don’t have the budget for expensive software or extra headcount?

Compliance isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. Tune in to learn how to build an ethical, resilient supply chain that protects both human rights and your bottom line.

Links & Resources:

Our website: www.procurementsignal.com

Check out the book, Rewire Procurement - https://amzn.asia/d/08kJB3rt

#15: Beyond the Dotted Line: Navigating Risks in S2C, P2P, and SRM

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 03:30:11 +0000

Is your pursuit of "speed" creating a financial ticking time bomb?

In this episode of The Procurement Signal, we’re stripping away the idea that procurement is just "procedural compliance".

Whether you are a seasoned pro or just starting out, you likely spend your days in one of the three major processes: Source to Contract (S2C), Procure to Pay (P2P), or Supplier Relationship Management (SRM). But are you aware of the threats lurking in each?

What we cover in this episode:

S2C & The Bias Trap: How the rush for "Time to Market" can lead to skipped audits, vendor capacity meltdowns, and why a signed contract is only as good as the due diligence behind it.
P2P & The Liquidity Crisis: Why bypassing "boring" system circuit breakers can lead to a warehouse full of dead stock and a depleted bank account (even when you think you’re moving "fast").
SRM & common myths associated with it: Why your smallest spend might be your biggest risk.
From Buyer to Guardian: Redefining the role of procurement. Hint: The business owns the relationship, but you own the value.

If you’ve ever felt like your processes were just red tape, this episode will change your perspective on how you protect your company’s bottom line every single day.

Our website: www.procurementsignal.com

Check out the book, Rewire Procurement - https://amzn.asia/d/08kJB3rt

#14: The parents of procurement, Risk & Governance

Sun, 19 Apr 2026 09:17:33 +0000

Are you driving with a map? Or are you just hoping you don't crash?

In this episode of The Procurement Signal, we dive into a common point of confusion in the supply chain world: the difference between Governance and Risk Management. While many professionals use these terms interchangeably, they serve distinct—yet equally vital—roles in a healthy operational environment.

If procurement were a child, Governance and Risk Management would be the parents. One insists you follow the rules and keep your room clean; the other makes sure you’re wearing a helmet before you hop on your bike.

Our website: www.procurementsignal.com

Check out the book, Rewire Procurement - https://amzn.asia/d/08kJB3rt

#13: Managing Risk on a "Bare Minimum" Budget

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 05:28:22 +0000

When the economy tightens and leadership demands urgent cost-cutting, procurement teams are often the first to feel the squeeze. In this episode of The Procurement Signal, we tackle the dangerous paradox of financial vulnerability: just as a company loses its ability to absorb the blow of a supplier bankruptcy or an ESG scandal, the budgets for the very tools that monitor those risks are slashed.

So, how do you protect the business when your "non-essential" tools, memberships, and data services are gone?

We dive into the shift from external tool dependency to internal expert dependency. We explore why "bare minimum" isn't an excuse to lower your guard, but rather a mandate to sharpen your instincts.

Key Takeaways from This Episode:

The Power of Segmentation: Why you must move from watching 100 suppliers poorly to watching 5 critical suppliers like a hawk.
Resourceful Intelligence: How to gather "eyes and ears on the ground" data without a subscription—tracking supplier health through hiring trends, investment signals, and payment term negotiations.
Negotiating for Stability: Strategies for when the cash for discounts isn't there, such as locking in inventory guarantees and support hours.
Soft Power & Internal Buy-in: Identifying exactly who owns risk and aligning stakeholders to act as a single, unified front.

Join us as we discuss how to turn a shoestring budget into a competitive advantage by building a procurement function that is truly indispensable.

Our website: www.procurementsignal.com

Check out the book, Rewire Procurement - https://amzn.asia/d/08kJB3rt

#12: Perform financial checks on your suppliers, without the analysis!

Sun, 29 Mar 2026 13:13:30 +0000

Nothing kills a procurement career faster than a critical supplier vanishing overnight. But for lean teams without a massive budget for third-party risk reports, how do you actually perform due diligence without an accounting degree?

Today, we’re diving into a simple, three-tiered approach to evaluating supplier solvency. We move past the jargon to give you the exact questions to ask and the specific "red flag" phrases to watch out for in annual reports and CPA letters.

Key Takeaways:

The Open Books Club: Navigating public annual reports.
The Solvency Shortcut: What to ask for when a private company won't share their books.
The Startup Runway: Measuring risk in emerging, high-growth partners.
Frequency Matters: Why due diligence is a marathon, not a sprint.

Our website: www.procurementsignal.com

Check out the book, Rewire Procurement - https://amzn.asia/d/08kJB3rt

#11: Post Contract Trap: Why “sourcing & handover” kills business value?

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 12:07:39 +0000

"It’s not procurement’s risk." We’ve all heard it, but is it true? In today’s episode, we dive deep into the "handover" culture in procurement. We discuss why a successful RFP doesn't guarantee a successful partnership and how "Value Leakage" and "Unmanaged Risk" thrive in the absence of post-contract governance.

Inside this episode:

The Soccer Metaphor: Why leaving the goalpost to your "midfielders" (the business) leads to failure.
The AI Threat: Why sourcing is becoming automated and how governance is your new job security.
The Governance Dream Team: A breakdown of who should own what—from Category Managers to the often-overlooked Risk & Sustainability Managers.

Stop being a gatekeeper and start being a bridge. Tune in to learn how to own the full supplier lifecycle.

Our website: www.procurementsignal.com

Check out the book, Rewire Procurement - https://amzn.asia/d/08kJB3rt

#10: Decoding Net Zero: Procurement’s Role in the Value Chain

Sun, 15 Mar 2026 12:42:36 +0000

If Your Suppliers Aren’t Green, You’re in the Red!

"Every time you sign a contract, you are essentially buying the carbon footprint of that supplier."

It’s a bold statement, but in the world of Scope 3 reporting, it’s the reality. In today’s episode, we’re looking at why 90% of your organization's footprint likely sits within your supply chain—and why Procurement holds the key to fixing it. We move past the "compliance knock on the door" and dive into how to update your category strategies and influence product design at the source. If you’ve ever wondered how to transition from "counting carbon" to actually "cutting it," this episode is for you.

What we cover in this episode:

The Compliance Reality: What Finance and Legal actually want when they ask for spend data.
The Strategic Shift: How to move from reactive reporting to proactive supplier development.
The Design Phase: Why 80% of environmental impact is decided before a PO is even issued.
Getting Started: Why your segmentation model is your best friend in identifying carbon "hot spots."

Don't let your procurement strategy stay stuck in the past. Tune in to learn how to adapt your team for the Net Zero journey.

Our website: www.procurementsignal.com

Check out the book, Rewire Procurement - https://amzn.asia/d/08kJB3rt

#9: Procurement Technology won’t fix People or Process issues

Sat, 14 Mar 2026 13:58:38 +0000

In this episode, we tackle the all-too-common urge to solve organizational chaos with a new SaaS tool. We’ve all seen the polished vendor demos—the ones with the colorful charts and "effortless" automation—but there’s a catch: that wasn't your data.

We dive deep into why technology is an enabler, not a cure-all. If your stakeholders are bypassing you and your data is a disaster, digitizing that mess only creates "digital confusion."

In this episode, we discuss:

The Demo Disconnect: Why "out-of-the-box" integrations often end up as manual Excel uploads.

The Root Cause: Identifying when your problem is actually about People and Process, not software.

Compliance vs. Strategy: Can a system really "force" a better process, or does it just hide the cracks?

"If you haven’t mapped the real-world pain points beyond a vendor demonstration, how do you expect a platform to deliver value?"

Our website: www.procurementsignal.com

Check out the book, Rewire Procurement - https://amzn.asia/d/08kJB3rt

#8: 10 ways procurement adds value beyond cost savings

Sun, 01 Mar 2026 09:47:35 +0000

For decades, the "Value of Procurement" has been reduced to a single line item: Cost Savings. But in a world of fractured supply chains, volatile markets, and shifting consumer ethics, if you’re only measuring "dollars saved," you’re missing 90% of the story.

In this episode, we move past the "Department of No" stereotype and explore how modern procurement teams align themselves with high-level corporate strategy. We break down the 10 Strategic Levers—from Risk Mitigation and ESG to Speed to Market and Data Intelligence—that transform procurement from a back-office cost center into a powerful value-multiplier. Whether you’re a C-suite executive or a category manager, this episode will change the way you define "success" in the supply chain.

Take the FREE Procurement Maturity Quiz at https://forms.gle/nBYiNtqFYEnYKTqB9

Access the FREE content library at https://sites.google.com/procurementsignal.com/home/content-library

Our website: www.procurementsignal.com

Check out the book, Rewire Procurement - https://amzn.asia/d/08kJB3rt

#7: If everyone is a buyer, what does procurement do?

Sat, 21 Feb 2026 06:07:37 +0000

In today’s fast-paced corporate world, everyone has a credit card, a login, and a "need for speed." When Marketing, IT, and HR are clicking the "buy" button themselves, it’s easy to wonder: Does Procurement even have a job anymore?

The answer is a resounding yes—but the job description has fundamentally changed.

In this episode, we explore the identity shift from transacting to enabling. We move past the old reputation of being the "Department of No" and dive into the role of the Strategic Architect. If the company is a highway, Procurement isn't driving every car; we’re the city planners ensuring the bridges don't collapse and the traffic flows toward the right destination.

Our website: www.procurementsignal.com

#6 Are you managing vendors or managing crises?

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 14:31:57 +0000

If your supplier management strategy feels more like a series of fire drills than a strategic partnership, you aren’t alone. Too many procurement teams are stuck in a reactive cycle—jumping on calls only when things break and suffering through "status update" meetings that go nowhere.

In this episode of The Procurement Signal, we dismantle the "check-the-box" approach to vendor management and reveal the hidden engine behind high-performing supply chains: Governance.

We are moving past the buzzwords to give you the practical "Rhythm of Business" that turns transactional vendors into strategic partners.

Let’s dive in.

Take the FREE Procurement Maturity Quiz at https://forms.gle/nBYiNtqFYEnYKTqB9

Access the FREE content library at https://sites.google.com/procurementsignal.com/home/content-library

Our website: www.procurementsignal.com

#5: Defining the Radar: Setting Your Risk Scope

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 14:28:12 +0000

Is your procurement team drowning in data but starving for insights? In this episode of The Procurement Signal, we’re cutting through the noise of Third-Party Risk Management (TPRM). One of the biggest mistakes procurement teams make is trying to monitor every single vendor with the same intensity. When everything is a priority, nothing is. Join us as we break down how to establish a Risk Radar that actually works. We discuss the transition from "checking boxes" to building strategic resilience by focusing on what truly matters.

Let’s dive in.

Our website: www.procurementsignal.com

#4: Procurement's 70:20:10 rule for success

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 14:24:36 +0000

In this episode of the procurement signal, we break down the three elements that truly make procurement tick — through a fresh take on the 70/20/10 rule.

No, it’s not a budgeting model.

No, it’s not a training framework.

And no, it’s definitely not the ratio of coffee, chaos, and courage needed to survive a sourcing cycle.

This 70/20/10 rule reveals where procurement’s real impact comes from:

70% Stakeholder Alignment

20% Standardising Process

10% Tools & Technology

If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to fix your procurement problems and unlock meaningful change, this episode is your roadmap.

Let’s get into it.

Our website: www.procurementsignal.com

#3: Untangling roles in modern teams

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 14:20:53 +0000

In this episode of the procurement signal we dive into one of the biggest sources of chaos in modern procurement teams: blurred roles and responsibilities.

From category managers running sourcing events to vendor managers juggling risk, many teams today operate like a game of musical chairs — and it’s costing them clarity, efficiency, and value.

We break down the five core roles every modern procurement function needs to get right:

- Category Manager

- Procurement Manager

- Sourcing Manager

- Supplier Risk Manager

- Vendor Manager

You’ll learn what each role should own, why overlap happens so often, and how to untangle responsibilities so your team can operate with precision instead of confusion.

If your procurement team feels stretched, blurred, or overloaded, this episode will help you reset the foundations.

Let’s get into it.

Our website: www.procurementsignal.com

#2: Build vs Buy, the legendary procurement question.

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 14:16:44 +0000

In this episode of The Procurement Signal, we unpack one of the profession’s most debated questions: Should you build, or should you buy?

This isn’t just a sourcing choice — it’s a reflection of your organisation’s priorities, capabilities, and risk appetite. And procurement sits right in the middle of that strategic crossroads.

We break down the real considerations behind build vs buy, the traps teams fall into, and how to guide the business toward smarter, value‑aligned decisions.

Let’s get into it.

Our website: www.procurementsignal.com

#1: The identity crisis

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 14:07:27 +0000

Welcome to the very first episode of THE PROCUREMENT SIGNAL And we’re starting strong — with a topic every procurement professional has felt but few openly talk about: Procurement’s Identity Crisis.

Ask ten people in your organization what procurement does, and you’ll get twelve different answers… most of them unflattering. We’re labelled the admin team, the PO police, the cost‑cutters, the paper‑pushers — the people who “slow things down.”

But here’s the truth: procurement doesn’t have a capability problem. It has a perception problem.

In this episode, we unpack where that perception comes from, how it limits the value procurement can deliver, and what modern teams can do to rewrite the narrative and reclaim their strategic identity.

Let’s dive in.

Our website: www.procurementsignal.com