| | NOVEMBER 202219CIOReviewBrian Holbrook is an indirect procurement leader with a diverse background across multiple industries with both regional and global organizations. He brings engineering to the world of sourcing and procurement, ensuring cross-functional engagement with technical groups. Holbrook has a broad range of procurement experience, with category leadership roles in CAPEX, MRO, IMAS, transportation, logistics, facilities management, external manufacturing, corporate services, metals, aggregates, and retail products.As the Director of Indirect Procurement in Kerry, Holbrook leads a team of category managers and buyers with accountability for sourcing more than 700 million indirect and third-party manufacturing spend. He is also instrumental in By Brian Holbrook, Director, Indirect Procurement, KerryEMERGING TRENDS IN PROCUREMENT driving the development of the team and best procurement practices, including sourcing strategy definition, deployment, and stakeholder and supplier development to maximize total value contribution.In an interview with Brian Holbrook highlights the current trends in the procurement space and what the future holds for the professionals in the field.In the light of your experience, what are the trends and challenges you've witnessed with respect to the procurement space?On the challenges side of it, we are experiencing the fallout of a hyper-globalized supply chain that has caused significant, sustained disruption around the world. Procurement practitioners are experiencing a never-ending list of challenges--both in availability and cost control of the goods they are responsible for managing. This volatility has upended many existing category strategies the procurement team might have had in place, along with the associated sourcing calendars and cadences.The change in environment has also led to a substantial increase in tension placed on the procurement function. It has also elevated the profile of the profession. Most organizations are enhancing the capabilities of their procurement team, or if they do not have a procurement team, they are actively seeking to build one. As part of the trend, companies are investing in additional capability on the functional side with more headcount or increasing the skill sets and tools that the teams require.It is also the first time that procurement as a career has become mainstream. There is now an increased awareness of what procurement is and the procurement professionals' job roles. The Brian HolbrookCXO INSIGHTS
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