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Career development

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Career Tips - January 2012Tips from Chris Graves, head of procurement services at public sector purchasing consortium YPO. 17 January 2012
Career Tips - December 2011Tips from Russell Soan, Barclay Meade. 08 December 2011
Career Tips - November 2011Tips from Selina Dhesy, Atos. 10 November 2011
Career Tips - September 2011Tips from Rupert Gaster, business director at Hays Procurement 08 September 2011
Career Tips - August 2011 issueTips from Paula O'Reilly, managing consultant at Purcon. 11 August 2011
Career tips - July 2011 issueTips from Jim Carter, head of policy and purchasing operations at Network Rail. 14 July 2011
Learning to be recognisedEconomies in southern Africa will need skilled professionals to continue their growth. Andrew Hillman explores how purchasers can sustain their career development in the region 29 April 2010
Applying yourselfIn the downturn it's an unpleasant reality that more buyers are finding themselves out of a job. Ben Sunderland outlines the methods he used to get himself back to work 07 January 2010
Young gunsWho are the rising stars in procurement? In our special feature we profile some of the brightest and best young people in the profession today 03 December 2009
Industry image deters new talent say purchasersProcurement is not doing a good job of attracting talent into the profession, according to two-thirds of buyers quizzed in the latest Supply Management survey. 26 November 2009
Recession proof rolesThe economic downturn has taken many professionals by surprise. Larry Beard examines how they can adapt themselves and raise their profile in the new situation 02 April 2009
A start-up philosophyWhat is entrepreneurial leadership and how can it help managers do their job better? Sean McPheat explains this new approach and how it can drive your business forward 05 March 2009
Crossing the great divideWith more purchasers than ever leaving private enterprise for jobs in the public sector, Emma Clarke looks at life on 'the other side' 19 February 2009
Police buying criticisedAn audit at North Yorkshire Constabulary has criticised "poor procurement practices" that led to the wife of a superintendent receiving nearly £400,000 for providing training to the force. 24 October 2008
Buyers fear job cut threatsMore than two-fifths of buyers are worried about losing their job, according to the latest SM Poll. 13 October 2008
Happiness key to productivityIf you want to keep your team productive, cut sick leave and reduce staff turnover, make sure they are happy. That is the conclusion of the "Happiness, performance and profit" session run by consultancy iOpener. 13 October 2008
'Look out for core talent', purchasing chiefs are toldPurchasing chiefs should pay as much attention to developing and retaining "core talent" as they spend on future leaders. 29 September 2008
Call for buying talentMany firms are not confident their sourcing function has the ability to effectively manage change caused by price fluctuations, new research has revealed. 11 August 2008
Boris rings the changesLondon Mayor Boris Johnson may form a shared service centre for back-office functions across a range of the capital's agencies. The proposal follows a review into the spending of the regime under former mayor Ken Livingstone. 25 July 2008
New Tesco head to recruit purchasersExpanding the procurement team, reducing the cost of projects and helping suppliers work more collaboratively are the three main goals of Tesco's new corporate purchasing director of property. 17 July 2008
Toyota faces exploitation claimsToyota's supply chain is "riddled" with overworked and underpaid staff, according to a campaign group. 03 July 2008
Jaguar hunts for new buyer bloodJaguar Land Rover is to hire a substantial number of buyers as part of a major recruitment drive. 03 July 2008
Interim rates 'deflating' as competition increasesThe cost of interim procurement managers is coming down because of greater competition in the market and as companies look more closely at spending. 03 July 2008
More departments in OGC spotlightA lack of procurement skills, management information and influence over spend continues to trouble central government purchasing. 03 July 2008
Buyers focus on retaining staffKeeping hold of current employees is a greater priority for most buyers than hiring new ones. 03 July 2008