Send us a text Part 1 of Your Procurement Pivot Plan for 2026: A 4-Step Series to Set, Shape and Achieve Your Career Goals This January, we are doing something different. For the first time on the Procurement Pivots Podcast, we are releasing a guided 4-part series designed to help you set and achieve meaningful and sustainable career goals for 2026. Unlike our usual episodes, we recommend listening to these four in order because each part builds on the last. By the end of the series, yo...

Send us a text As we wrap up 2025, we’re closing the year with something a little different. This episode is an honest and uplifting reflection on the year just gone. We look back at the moments that shaped us, the lessons that surprised us, and the themes that consistently showed up in our work with procurement professionals across the industry. Whether your year felt full of progress, full of challenge, or a mix of both, this episode is designed to give you space to pause, notice the positi...

Send us a text Welcome to Episode 24 of the Procurement Pivots Podcast. In this final episode of our PIVOTS series, we take a step back and bring you a summary of everything we have covered so far. After more than twenty episodes exploring the themes that show up most often in procurement careers, we reflect on the patterns, lessons and insights that have emerged across all of our conversations. When we launched this podcast, our aim was simple. We wanted to create a practical and honest reso...

Send us a text What triggers you in your procurement career? In this episode, we explore a topic that quietly shapes confidence, decision making and momentum for so many procurement professionals. Triggers are the moments or situations that spark an emotional or behavioural response before you have even had the chance to think. Some are external, like restructures, job market pressures, stakeholder dynamics or even what you see online. Others are internal, such as perfectionism, stress respon...

Send us a text What do you do when you feel stuck in your procurement career and cannot quite work out why? In this episode, we explore the wide range of obstacles that hold procurement professionals back, from the organisational challenges you face, to the people dynamics you navigate, to the internal blockers that quietly influence your confidence, motivation and momentum. Obstacles show up in many forms. Restructures can change your path overnight. Difficult stakeholders can drain your ene...

Send us a text What does vision really mean in a procurement career, and why does it matter more today than ever? In this episode, we explore how having a clear, intentional vision can transform not only your personal career trajectory but also the effectiveness and growth of your procurement function. Vision isn’t wishful thinking. It is a strategic anchor that guides your decisions, builds your confidence and shapes how you show up as a professional and a leader. We talk honestly about why ...

Send us a text Influence is one of the most essential and misunderstood skills in procurement. In this episode, we unpack what it really means to influence effectively in your procurement career. Not manipulation, not power play, but the kind of influence that builds trust, credibility and long-term results. We talk about why influence starts with mindset, not methods, and why understanding your own relationship with influence matters more than any quick-win technique. We cover: • What ...

Send us a text What does it really take to create a procurement career that feels right for you, not one that just happens to you? In this episode, we explore what “planning for success” means, not as a rigid checklist but as an intentional practice that helps you shape your career on your terms. Too often, procurement professionals focus on delivering for everyone else, their teams, stakeholders, and organisations, without pausing to plan what they actually want next. We cover: Why being int...

Send us a text How well are you storytelling in your procurement career? In this episode, we explore how storytelling has become one of the most powerful and underrated skills in a procurement professional’s toolkit. Whether you are influencing stakeholders, leading a team or positioning yourself for your next move, your ability to communicate your story can make all the difference. We cover: Why storytelling is a vital leadership and communication skill in procurementThe difference between d...

What if the network you need to move forward in your procurement career is already there, and you’re simply not using it? In this Truth episode, we talk openly about the role of networking in procurement careers. Not the uncomfortable, transactional, awkward version of networking many people imagine, but the real version: building meaningful relationships that support your growth, your visibility and your opportunities. We cover: Why many procurement professionals network brilliantly for thei...

What happens when everything just feels too much? In this episode, we tackle a feeling that almost every procurement professional experiences at some point in their career: overwhelm. From the constant demands of stakeholders to ever-growing workloads and shifting expectations, it’s easy to feel like you’re running just to stand still. We explore: Why overwhelm isn’t failure but a signal that something needs to changeHow to decode what’s really driving your feelings of overloadThe importance ...

In this episode, we talk about an underlying theme in our coaching sessions: validation. Whether it’s feeling unseen by stakeholders, overlooked for promotion, or questioning your own value, validation sits at the heart of confidence, motivation and influence in procurement careers. We explore: The difference between external and internal validation and why both matterHow over-relying on others’ approval can quietly hold you backWays to recognise and communicate your value with credibilityH...

What does imposter syndrome really mean for procurement professionals, and how can we move past it? In this episode, we dive into one of the topics our listeners requested: imposter syndrome. While the phrase is widely used, we question whether it actually helps or whether it holds us back by labelling a very normal, very human experience. We cover: Why imposter feelings often arise during transitions and growth momentsHow labels like “imposter syndrome” can both normalise and limit usA model...

Is perfection really the goal – or is it actually holding you back? In this episode, we explore how striving for perfection can stall progress in procurement careers, and why embracing action (even if it feels messy) is often the real key to growth. From strategic plans to job searches, we look at how waiting for the “perfect moment” can stop you moving forward. We cover: How the pursuit of perfection shows up for procurement professionalsWhy fear is often at the root of “waiting until things...

What does self-employment really look like in the procurement world? In this episode, we open up about the realities of running your own business – the highs, the lows, and everything in between. While many dream of the freedom that self-employment promises, the truth is often more complex. We cover: The different paths into self-employment in procurementWhy knowing your purpose matters when the journey gets toughThe freedom and creativity self-employment can offer – and the trade-offs that c...

What are the hard truths about how procurement is perceived, and what role do we play in shaping that? In this episode, we tackle one of the most uncomfortable but important topics: the perception of procurement. Too often the focus is on how others see us, but are we, even unintentionally, fueling those same perceptions ourselves? From the memes we share on LinkedIn to the self-limiting beliefs we hold (“I’m just a buyer”), how we show up has a huge impact on how procurement as a function an...

What does ownership really mean in your procurement career? In this episode, we explore how ownership goes beyond accountability. It is about taking back control where you can, and recognising where you cannot. With so many external challenges affecting procurement right now, from tough job markets to organisational change, it is easy to feel powerless. But ownership gives you choice. It helps you respond with intention, create momentum, and build resilience, even in uncertain times. We cover...

What role do values really play in your procurement career? In this episode, we explore why knowing and honouring your core values isn’t just a “nice-to-have.” It can be the difference between thriving in the right role and staying stuck in the wrong one. When you’re clear on your values, you gain a powerful navigation system for your career. They shape your decisions, strengthen your leadership, and protect you from choices that may look good on paper but leave you feeling unfulfilled or mis...

What does identity really mean in your procurement career? In this episode, we explore a topic that shows up frequently in coaching - how tightly we link our identity to our role, our performance, or our job title. Whether you’re navigating change, uncertainty, or simply reflecting on your own growth, identity plays a bigger role than you might think We talk about the impact of labels (the ones we’re given and the ones we give ourselves) and how to start separating who you are from what you d...

What keeps you grounded in your procurement career when things feel uncertain or hard? In this episode, we explore the role of purpose. Not as a buzzword, but as a practical anchor for decision-making, direction and resilience. Because when you’re navigating change, uncertainty, or tough calls, clarity around your purpose can help you stay focused, intentional and confident. We cover: What purpose really means in a procurement context Why purpose doesn’t have to be fixed - and how it evolve...