Procurement Archives

Digital Transformation

One of the world’s leading medical products and technologies companies engaged 4C to drive end-to-end efficiencies across their procurement function through a multi-phase, multi-year transformation. The key objective was to transition transactional business process to their three global shared services centres, whilst automating processes and enhancing user-experience.

Integrated Business Planning Implementation

London Underground handles up to 5 million daily passenger journeys. With core operations to maintain and operate key assets like rolling stock fleet, rail tracks, signalling, stations and electrical and power infrastructure, they came to 4C for help with their end to end planning to address their budget challenges.

Range Optimisation ‘Less is More’ – UK Health and Wellness Retailer

We supported a UK health and wellness retailer with 700+ high street stores suffering from significant range proliferation driving up working capital, reducing rate of sale and produced a confusing assortment for customers to shop.

Supply Chain Resilience – UK Regulated Infrastructure Organisation

Collaborating with a leading UK regulated infrastructure organisation to significantly enhance their supply chain resilience. Our project addressed their challenges in contingency planning and managing disruptions across key suppliers.

The Procurement Act: What Do Practitioners Need to Know?

The Procurement Act 2023 will overhaul the existing public procurement regime in the UK. These reforms aim to create a simpler and more flexible procurement system, open up opportunities for new entrants (such as small businesses and social enterprises), and enhance transparency.

What is Strategic Sourcing? A Complete Guide

This guide introduces strategic sourcing and focuses on how this differs to traditional and tactical sourcing, why it is important for organisations, the benefits it can deliver and how it can be successfully implemented within organisations.

Identifying and Overcoming Barriers to Sustainable Procurement

In the pursuit of responsible business practices, sustainable procurement has emerged as a pivotal concept, intertwining economic efficiency with societal and environmental well-being.

What Is Sustainable Procurement? A Comprehensive Guide

This guide highlights the importance of strategic sustainable procurement to the long-term success of organisations and presents a compelling case with the delivery of consistent financial and environmental benefits.

The Advantages And Benefits Of Sustainable Procurement

Organisations recognise the role that strategic sustainable procurement can play in their long-term success with the delivery of key ethical, environmental and economic objectives when sourcing third-party products and services from suppliers and the extended supply chain.

From Legislation to Action: Navigating the Path to Procurement Excellence

The Procurement Act, which received Royal Assent last year, is set to revolutionize public sector procurement in the UK. It aims to modernize practices, enhance transparency, and prioritize value for money. Key provisions include thorough disclosure of procurement information, making procurement pipelines public, and requiring contracts over £2 million to include at least 3 KPIs. The Act emphasizes contract...

If Knowledge is Power, Data is Knowledge

Through procurement reform the UK government are introducing a new digital supplier registration portal. Reform also means more information will need to be available, correct, and shareable, than ever before. This is an opportune moment to make long-lasting changes and implement mechanisms that will transform your supplier data from a disabler to an enabler, with the help of digital...

The Blockchain Revolution: Cutting Through the Chain of Uncertainty

In a world where transparency is of utmost importance, trust is the most valuable currency, and middlemen are becoming obsolete. It may seem utopian, but it’s happening now, and all sector and industry leaders are quickly adopting it. Blockchain is here.

Sustainability and Cost Reduction: Are They Mutually Exclusive?

In the current economic climate, procurement teams face the challenge of reconciling the push for sustainability with the need for cost reduction. Businesses are urged to adopt eco-friendly practices even if they come at higher costs, while inflation drives the demand for cost cutting. The conventional belief that sustainability drives up cost is being challenged. Strategies such as Total...

From Automation to Analytics: How Technology Is Making Supplier Management More Efficient and Effective

In the rapidly evolving business landscape, effective supplier management is essential for competitiveness and success. Technology is reshaping this landscape, introducing automation, analytics, collaboration, transparency, and AI to enhance value and performance. Inefficient contract management causes potential value loss, while most procurement lacks advanced supplier relationship programs. Technology-driven automation streamlines tasks like ordering, boosting efficiency and supplier performance. Analytics...

The Importance of Relationship Management in Clinical Outsourcing

The success of clinical outsourcing depends on the relationship between the sponsor and the CRO. A lack of trust can lead to problems, so it is important to build strong relationships. Sourcing managers can play a key role in this by understanding the needs of both parties, facilitating communication and collaboration, managing conflict, and measuring and rewarding performance. By...