MARKS & SPENCER
“ NOW WE ’ RE ABOUT AGILITY . WE ’ RE ABOUT MAKING DECISIONS . WE ’ RE ABOUT BEING EMPOWERED . WE ’ RE ABOUT EFFECTING CHANGE ”
ANDREW NEWNHAM DIRECTOR OF GROUP PROCUREMENT AT MARKS & SPENCER
sustainability . As a procurement team , it ’ s up to us to understand those concerns and help our third-party providers understand and deliver our values .”
While Marks & Spencer has historically focused on RFPs ( requests for proposals ) to close good deals , Newnham argued that the company should also be commercial advisors . “ We ’ ll start with what we ’ re trying to achieve ”, Newnham said . “ Then we ’ ll work back from that . [ We can decide ] whether an RFP is the right route to take , or whether we take a more direct approach with a key partner .”
First , the company covers the basics . “ You ’ ve got to understand the business objectives ; you ’ ve got to handle the sourcing process ”, Newnham said . “ If you don ’ t negotiate a good deal , run a good competitive process , and reduce risk by getting the right contract in place with a good indemnity clause , you ’ re not really in procurement .”
Certainly , Marks & Spencer is excellent at focusing on key business outcomes . While the company has a distinguished history , it doesn ’ t shy away from keeping up with the times . “ If you ’ re not involved
124 July 2021