Obviously, the skills element is a cultural issue that will need to be addressed on a number of levels.
The procurement or supplier manager role does not attract high-fliers, and they can lack a defined career path and often the accompanying support of structured training programmes.
The need for leadership is also at the heart of improving supplier management, and requires a strategic approach, including:
The Public sector industry review quite rightly recommended that in each department, a director of service delivery should be appointed to be responsible for the full commissioning cycle, and not just initial procurement.
