Procurement is a People Business.
December 11, 2024
Harold Hendrickx | Procurement Consultant, CEO & Founder | The Alchemie Network
Harnessing the Power of Collective Minds
Tech First?
In recent years, supply chain management has gone from being an operational afterthought to a strategic business imperative. This shift has been driven by seismic global events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain disruptions, and record-high inflation rates. These challenges forced businesses to confront the vulnerabilities in their supply chains and the need for robust procurement strategies. Companies now realize that efficient supply chain management is not just a cost center but a critical enabler of resilience and growth.
This paradigm shift is reflected in the rapid development of technology tailored to procurement and supply chain management. Startups are emerging with innovative solutions to specific pain points, offering low- or no-code SaaS platforms that enable organizations to digitize processes with minimal friction. At the same time, established technology giants are investing heavily in end-to-end solutions, either through internal R&D or strategic acquisitions.
Layering on advancements like Machine Learning and Generative AI, the case for digital transformation in procurement and supply chain management becomes undeniable. The adoption of these tools is no longer a question of “if” but “when.” Companies that fail to embrace digital transformation risk falling behind competitors who use these technologies to drive efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance decision-making.
Being Green: Sustainability as a Strategic Mandate
Procurement is evolving into a strategic function that goes far beyond cost management. As businesses face growing pressure from customers, regulators, and investors to prioritize sustainability, procurement has become central to achieving ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) goals.
For years, procurement lagged behind other business functions such as Finance, HR, and IT in terms of maturity and recognition. However, this is changing rapidly as sustainability becomes a critical business priority. Executive leaders now understand that managing the supply base isn’t just about securing the lowest costs—it’s about ensuring ethical practices, reducing environmental impact, and maintaining compliance with increasingly stringent regulations.
Balancing sustainability with cost management presents a unique challenge. “Being green” often comes at a higher price, whether through sourcing sustainable materials, paying fair wages, or investing in renewable energy. Procurement is best positioned to own this balancing act, leveraging its deep understanding of supplier relationships, market dynamics, and organizational needs.
Defining Value: Measuring the Impact of Procurement
Despite its growing importance, procurement still struggles to articulate its full value to the organization. Cost savings are the most straightforward metric, but procurement’s contributions extend far beyond that. How do you quantify the value of preventing supply chain disruptions, reducing Scope 3 emissions, or ensuring compliance with anti-slavery regulations?
Procurement’s value lies in its ability to align operational priorities with broader organizational goals. Whether it’s enabling innovation through strategic supplier partnerships, supporting sustainability initiatives, or managing risk in an uncertain global environment, procurement delivers outcomes that are often difficult to measure but critical to the organization’s success.
However, the lack of clear metrics for these contributions often leads to debates in leadership discussions. While the cost of procurement functions is clearly visible in budgets, the ROI of these functions—beyond cost savings—is less tangible. This gap in understanding underscores the need for procurement leaders to develop narratives that showcase their strategic impact.
We, the People: Procurement as a People-Centric Profession
At its core, procurement is a people business. Professionals in this field are deeply engaged, motivated by the belief that their work makes a tangible difference. They are skilled negotiators, relationship builders, and problem solvers who excel in aligning diverse stakeholder needs with organizational goals.
Yet, procurement professionals often face mounting pressures: increased responsibilities, limited resources, and a lack of recognition from leadership. These challenges can erode engagement, potentially contributing to trends like the Great Resignation. When procurement professionals feel undervalued, they are more likely to seek opportunities elsewhere, disrupting organizational continuity.
What sets procurement professionals apart is their people-first mindset. They prioritize person-to-person engagement, whether negotiating with suppliers, collaborating with internal stakeholders, or mentoring junior colleagues. This interpersonal approach is not transactional—it’s relational. Procurement professionals understand that trust and understanding are the foundation of successful partnerships, both within and outside the organization.
This people-centric mindset also fuels a natural inclination for collaboration and community building. As procurement professionals face increasingly complex challenges, the need for shared learning, best practices, and peer support has never been greater.
Community Intelligence: The Power of Many
The procurement and supply chain profession is rich with resources—podcasts, webinars, training programs, and more. However, these resources are often scattered across different platforms, making it difficult for professionals to find the information they need. What’s missing is a centralized, mobile-friendly platform that offers meaningful, unbiased content and fosters genuine community interaction.
This is where Community Intelligence (C.I.) comes in. C.I. is the idea that collective human experiences and shared knowledge are as valuable as the latest technological advancements. A robust community empowers its members to ask questions, share insights, and learn from one another in a safe and supportive environment.
Community-driven engagement operates differently from traditional content delivery models. Instead of vying for users’ attention through push notifications and algorithms, a community draws members in organically. Members actively seek out opportunities to engage, whether to solve a specific problem, share a success story, or connect with like-minded professionals. This pull model creates a more meaningful and focused user experience.
The Alchemie Network: A Unified Community for Procurement & Supply Chain Professionals
The Alchemie Network was born from the need for a global, unified community for Procurement, Supply Chain and Sustainability professionals. Launched in April 2024, the network has rapidly grown to over 3,000 members in 170 countries. Its app-based platform serves as a virtual home, office, and conference center for professionals to connect, learn, and collaborate.
The network offers a variety of features designed to meet the needs of its members. From curated content libraries to live broadcasts on Alchemie LIVE!, the platform provides a one-stop-shop for professional development and networking. Search functionality is intentionally designed to be user-centric, with no algorithms determining what members see. This ensures that members can quickly and easily find the information they need.
Collaboration, not competition, is at the heart of the Alchemie Network’s philosophy. By partnering with organizations like EcoVadis Art of Procurement, Kearney, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Good Business Pays and various Universities, the network emphasizes the importance of complementing existing resources rather than duplicating efforts. This “Procurement-For-You” approach ensures that members remain the central focus, with the platform serving as a tool to enhance their professional lives.
Paying It Forward: Gratitude and Social Impact
One of the Alchemie Network’s most unique initiatives is the Golden Ticket program, which encourages members to recognize others for their contributions. Each member receives a free Golden Ticket, which they can award to anyone—inside or outside the community—as a gesture of gratitude. The recipient is then encouraged to “pay it forward,” creating a chain of appreciation that extends beyond the network. Stories of these acts of gratitude are shared in the network’s monthly Gratitude Podcast, highlighting the positive ripple effects of this initiative.
The network’s commitment to social impact goes even further with the creation of the Alchemie Foundation, a charitable organization that channels 30% of network revenue into initiatives like NGO support, mentorship programs, and policy advocacy. This “Procurement-For-Good” philosophy reflects the community’s belief in using its collective power to make a difference in the world.
The Future of Procurement: A Mature, People-Centric Function
Procurement, Supply Chain and Sustainability functions are no longer ancillary support roles—they are critical drivers of business success, ethical practices, and innovation. As these functions continue to mature, they must balance the demands of cost efficiency, sustainability, and compliance while addressing complex global challenges.
The Alchemie Network represents a new era for the profession, providing a unified platform where professionals can connect, collaborate, and learn. By harnessing the power of collective minds, the network enables members to navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and create a positive impact on their organizations and the world.
In an age dominated by technology, the human element remains procurement’s most valuable asset.
Together, the global community of procurement professionals is redefining the future of the profession—one relationship, one collaboration, and one act of gratitude at a time.
About the Author
Harold is a visionary leader in the fields of Procurement, Supply Chain, and Sustainability.
As the Co-Founder of The Alchemie Network, alongside Alex Jennings, Harold has created the world’s first fully app-based platform dedicated to fostering a global community of professionals in these disciplines. Anchored by its flagship initiative, Procurement For You, the platform supports a rapidly growing network of practitioners committed to driving innovation and excellence.
In addition, the Alchemie Foundation offers members a meaningful way to give back through its Procurement for Good initiatives, creating impactful change worldwide.
In parallel to his work with The Alchemie Network, Harold is the Founder and CEO of TransformationExecutive, where he leads a team of experts to help organizations transform their procurement functions. From agile scale-ups to global corporations like Shell, TUI, Arval/BNP Paribas, and Amazon’s packaging provider DS Smith, Harold and his team specialize in solving procurement challenges, enhancing performance and compliance, and achieving procurement excellence that drives value.
Harold’s career is built on a foundation of over 20 years of service as a Senior Officer in the Air Force and NATO, combined with a decade of experience in Procurement and Supply Chain Transformation. His passion for collaboration and innovation continues to shape the future of procurement and sustainability, empowering organizations and communities alike.
Article references available on request.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and contributors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Prenax.
