Savings Delivery

Meeting the budget challenge, engagement with the supply chain, different operating model with the council and delivering savings by transforming a Council’s approach to procurement.

To discuss how we can help you with similar challenges, please email Mark Ellis.

The Problem

  • The Council’s procurement function needed to change its structure and improve the way in which it provided services to the directorates.
  • Our team was tasked with delivering £150 million in procurement savings over four years.

The Solution

  • We undertook an initial opportunity assessment, analysing external expenditure and developing a roadmap of savings delivery based on spend analysis, identifying quick win opportunities and creating a tailored Target Operating Model.
  • The 4C team provided support and change management services throughout the subsequent transformation programme, particularly focused on improving and delivering category management across departments including highways, passenger transport, adult social care, children services and IT.
  • We also facilitated new ways of working which enabled services to benefit from improved demand management and forecasting; enhanced sourcing and contracting approaches and deeper early stakeholder and supplier engagement to ensure the Council’s strategic objectives were delivered.

The Impact

  • Savings of £150m+ were delivered through a collaborative approach and innovative commercial solutions.
  • Procurement and commercial governance and controls showed significant improvements.
  • New policies and procedures, a supply chain management toolkit and a procurement ‘how to guide’ for the organisation were created.
  • Our work improved visibility and management of future requirements and commercial risks, increasing quality of life for residents.
  • We increased internal capabilities and skills enabling performance improvements, securing tangible business results and reducing the client’s reliance on consultants.
  • As a result, the  Procurement team is now engaged at the earliest stage and recognised for the strategic value they add. Procurement Business Partners sit within each of the client’s directorates, working with the heads of service to improve the way that the Council delivers services to citizens.