Procurement Essentials for Non-Procurement Professionals

The programme

Programme overview

This interactive training is designed to demystify procurement for non-procurement professionals, empowering staff across all functions with the core knowledge and practical skills to navigate procurement processes confidently.

Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the entire procurement lifecycle — from identifying needs and drafting specifications, to supplier selection, contract management, and supplier relationship management.

Through real-world case studies, collaborative exercises, and practical scenarios, delegates will learn how to support their organisations in achieving value for money, mitigating risks, ensuring compliance, and upholding ethical standards. By the end of this course, non-procurement staff will be equipped to collaborate more effectively with procurement teams, contribute meaningfully to procurement activities within their departments, and help drive organisational success.

Who should attend

Who is this programme for?

• Project Managers
• Auditors
• Legal and Compliance Professionals
• Finance & Budget Officers
• Engineers & Technical Staff
• Operations and Administrative Personnel
• Any Staff Involved in Sourcing, Vendor Management, Contract Approvals, or Budget Oversight

Learning outcomes

What you will learn

• Grasp core procurement principles and objectives relevant to their roles
• Understand the key stages and documentation within the procurement cycle
• Recognise their responsibilities and touchpoints in procurement workflows
• Promote compliance with organisational policies, procedures, and ethical standards
• Communicate and collaborate effectively with procurement professionals
• Support cost-effectiveness and value for money in departmental spending
• Identify and address risks and ethical issues within procurement activities
• Appreciate the importance of positive supplier relationships and stakeholder engagement

Explore the programme

Detailed programme outline

2-Day Essentials — Training Outline

• Defining procurement, purchasing, and sourcing, and procurement's strategic role in value creation
• Principles: value for money, transparency, fairness, ethics
• Needs identification and specification writing
• Sourcing strategies: direct purchase, quotations, tenders
• Supplier selection, evaluation, and shortlisting; basics of RFQs, RFPs, and bid evaluation
• Contract award, contract management, and the payment process
• Initiating purchase requests and providing clear specifications
• Participating in evaluation teams, and communicating effectively with procurement
• Legal and ethical considerations (conflicts of interest, confidentiality)
• Identifying risks and risk mitigation strategies
• Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), and balancing quality, service, and cost
• The impact of AI and data analytics on procurement
• Embedding sustainability and ESG in procurement practices
• Deciding whether the 5-Day Comprehensive programme is the right next step

5-Day Comprehensive — Training Outline

• Defining procurement, purchasing, and sourcing
• Overview of supply chain management
• Strategic role of procurement in value creation
• The importance of procurement for all staff
• Supplier selection, evaluation, and shortlisting
• Basics of RFQs, RFPs, and bid evaluation
• Essential negotiation techniques and stages
• Contract award, contract management, and compliance
• Receiving, inspection, and the payment process
• Participating in evaluation teams
• Managing supplier relationships at the operational level
• Effective communication with the procurement department
• Collaboration for value-driven procurement outcomes
• Navigating procurement policies and procedures
• Understanding compliance and the implications of non-compliance
• Identifying risks (supplier failure, delivery delays) and mitigation strategies
• Basics of Supplier Relationship Management (SRM)
• The concept of Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), and achieving cost savings and operational efficiencies
• Balancing quality, service, and cost; the critical role of stakeholder engagement
• Overview of procurement technology tools (ERP, SAP, Oracle, Coupa, etc.)
• Recognising and avoiding unethical behaviours in procurement

Learning approach

How you will learn

Our diverse instructional approaches ensure effective learning:

– Lectures & Presentations: Engage with expert-driven, stimulating content.– Course Material: Access well-crafted supporting resources.– Group Work: Collaborate on discussions and case studies for practical insights.– Workshops & Role-Play: Participate in immersive, scenario-based activities.– Practical Application: Focus on applying theoretical knowledge in real situations.– Post-Training Support: Receive extensive support after training for skill implementation.

Discuss your requirements

Dates, duration & arrangements

Contact Ratomac to confirm dates, duration, delivery format, entry requirements and any applicable assessment or certification before booking.