The Enhanced Procurement Skills Training Course, delivered by Oxford Training Centre under the category of Legal Contracts and Procurement Training Courses, is a comprehensive one-week programme designed for procurement professionals seeking to deepen their expertise and strategic capabilities. This course is built to empower participants with advanced, applicable knowledge across core procurement functions including contract management, negotiation, Procurement Skills Training, Supply Chain, and Vendor Management. Delegates will develop enhanced decision-making competencies, elevate supplier relationship management techniques, and strengthen cost-saving strategies while aligning with modern procurement challenges.
In a competitive and evolving procurement environment, mastery of integrated sourcing, risk evaluation, and cross-functional supplier collaboration is critical. This course bridges the gap between tactical purchasing and strategic procurement, helping professionals contribute greater value to their organisations.
Course Objective and Target Group
Objectives
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
- Apply strategic thinking to procurement planning and execution.
- Optimise supplier evaluation and build long-term partnerships.
- Integrate Vendor Management principles with modern Supply Chain strategies.
- Analyse and control total procurement costs effectively.
- Develop negotiation techniques based on behavioural and commercial insight.
- Address risk and compliance concerns in procurement contracts.
- Lead procurement initiatives that support business continuity and ESG objectives.
Target Audience
This course is suitable for mid to senior-level professionals involved in procurement, supply chain, contract administration, or operations. It is ideal for:
- Procurement Managers and Officers
- Supply Chain Analysts
- Vendor and Contract Managers
- Project and Operations Managers
- Engineers involved in purchasing decisions
- Finance personnel linked to procurement reporting
- Professionals transitioning into procurement roles
Course Content
Day 1: Strategic Procurement Foundations
- Understanding the modern role of procurement in business success
- Evolving from traditional purchasing to strategic Procurement Skills Training
- Mapping the procurement value chain
- The impact of external drivers: globalisation, digitalisation, ESG trends
- Introduction to integrated Supply Chain collaboration
- Introduction to procurement metrics and KPIs
Day 2: Vendor and Supplier Relationship Management
- Defining effective Vendor Management frameworks
- Supplier classification and segmentation
- Building trust and partnership-based relationships
- Managing supplier risk and performance metrics
- Developing a supplier scorecard system
- Strategic sourcing and its alignment with organisational goals
Day 3: Procurement Cost Management and Value Creation
- Understanding total cost of ownership (TCO) vs. price-based decisions
- Life cycle costing and cost breakdown analysis
- Identifying cost-reduction opportunities in procurement
- Collaboration for value innovation with suppliers
- Achieving cost transparency through contract terms
- Case studies: real-world cost-saving success
Day 4: Procurement Risk, Compliance, and Contracting
- Identifying legal and commercial risks in procurement
- Key contractual terms and supplier obligations
- Managing compliance in cross-border procurement
- Business continuity and contingency planning
- Ethical procurement and anti-bribery frameworks
- Contract performance monitoring and dispute handling
Day 5: Negotiation, Talent, and Future Procurement Trends
- Psychology of negotiation in supplier dealings
- Advanced negotiation planning and win-win strategies
- Building a high-performing procurement team
- Attracting and retaining digital procurement talent
- Emerging technologies: e-procurement, AI, and analytics
- Developing a personal action plan and team implementation map
Training Approach
This course uses a blended adult learning methodology, incorporating practical case studies, real-time simulations, group discussions, and scenario-based role-play to ensure comprehension and retention. Delegates will participate in workshops tailored to actual organisational challenges and return equipped with tools ready to implement strategic improvements.
Benefits of Attending
- Gain deeper insights into end-to-end procurement strategies
- Understand how to align procurement with business objectives
- Strengthen your role in Supply Chain integration and Vendor Management
- Improve negotiation outcomes and contractual clarity
- Learn how to build agile and responsive procurement teams
- Develop risk-aware, data-driven procurement plans
Why Choose Oxford Training Centre?
Oxford Training Centre is a trusted leader in professional development, with extensive expertise in Legal Contracts and Procurement Training Courses. Our trainers are industry practitioners with decades of combined experience in strategic sourcing, procurement compliance, and supplier leadership. The centre’s approach to learning blends the latest industry insights with proven frameworks to ensure delegates gain value that is both practical and immediately actionable.