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On this episode of Talent Talks, Rob Douglas joins Martin Smith to share lessons from a remarkable 30-year career spanning Ford, Capgemini, Barclays, Currys, National Grid, and Direct Line Group. From his first role in “purchasing” to his evolution as Chief Procurement Officer, Rob reveals what it takes to build influence, lead through change and stay curious in a fast-evolving profession.
He discusses leadership lessons learned from the Army, the art of supplier relationships, the challenges of attracting new procurement talent and how AI will shape the future of commercial decision-making.
This episode is proudly sponsored by Omnea.
Tune in for a masterclass in leadership, strategy and staying adaptable in an ever-changing procurement landscape.
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Some of the key moments during this podcast include:
How Rob started his career in procurement after the Army
Lessons learned from Ford’s legendary graduate program
Building lasting supplier relationships and trust
Adapting across industries: retail, energy and financial services
What defines “the buyer’s instinct” and how to spot it
How procurement has evolved over three decades
The growing role of risk management and cyber resilience
Why graduate programs are disappearing, and why that’s a problem
Rob’s advice for aspiring CPOs
How AI and automation could enhance, not replace, procurement
Soundbites
“You can be fact-driven without being horrible.”
“The buyer’s instinct. You either have it or you don’t.”
“Procurement isn’t just about savings anymore. It’s about resilience and relationships.”
“As a leader, it’s not about winning every argument. It’s about helping your team make great decisions.”
“Treat suppliers well. It’s a small industry, you’ll meet them again.”
“We’ve lost too many graduate programs, and the profession will feel that gap.”
“Curiosity has taken me further than ambition ever did.”
“AI will enhance procurement. It won’t replace human instinct.”
“Preparation is everything. You can’t fake being ready.”
“If you want to be a great CPO, keep lifting the bonnet and stay curious.”
Chapters
00:00 – Intro
01:00 – Early Career and Army lessons
03:00 – Learning the Foundations at Ford
05:20 – Building Strong Supplier Relationships
08:10 – Adapting Across Industries
11:50 – How Procurement has Evolved
13:10 – Buyer’s Instinct
18:00 – Balancing Risk and Commerciality
20:40 – Leadership Lessons and Developing Teams
24:30 – The Future of Procurement Talent
30:10 – Advice for Aspiring CPOs
37:00 – Quickfire Questions
