Mike Buchanan profile

Mike Buchanan

Experienced, energetic, passionate procurement professional, focusing on the UK legal sector.

Highly results oriented. Solid track record of improving procurement performance in a range of sectors. Extensive consulting and interim management experience. Published author in leading business journals.

Publications

Author of Profitable Buying Strategies, a guide to cost reduction and profit improvement, which was published in the UK and US in July 2008.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Science (Honours) - Chemistry
Post-Graduate Diploma in Business Administration
Post-Graduate Diploma in Management Studies

Professional Associations

Member of CIPS (Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply)

Career history

LPS (Link Procurement Services Ltd.) - Bedford
Managing Director of this specialist procurement consultancy, enhancing clients' commercial positions. Working in a number of sectors.

	Major political party Head of Procurement, negotiating improved commercial terms for a range of goods and services.

	Major UK law firm Negotiated new contracts in 4 spend areas, projected to deliver £2.5m cash savings. Raised the procurement competence of key managers, and delivered templates and guidance on market testing, policies and procedures.

	Food manufacturer Designed and executed a strategy in the area of MHE (mechanical handling equipment such as fork lift trucks), which the client forecasts will deliver cost savings in excess of £1.5m pa.

	Retailer Designed and executed a cost reduction programme for a number of support goods & services, and delivered net cash savings of £1.8m by the end of the assignment.

	Packaging manufacturer Assignment in a company facing excessive material costs and supply shortages. Led inter-functional teams to develop strategies to improve in these areas. Contractual terms improved in some key areas.

	Home Office Agency Developed and executed a contract management programme across the organisation, and played a key role in evaluating and developing a proposal to outsource a critical service.

Exel Logistics - Bedford
Senior Procurement Manager responsible for a budget of £50m pa across a range of spend areas. Achieved cost savings in excess of £3m pa in a multi-business, 300+ site organisation undergoing rapid change.

Revlon - Wales
UK Procurement Manager responsible for the establishment and development of a new procurement function, working on a highly diversified £32m portfolio, mainly with overseas vendors.

Gillette - London
UK Procurement Manager responsible for the production materials budget of over £50m pa. Developed joint working practices with vendors, improving their flexibility of response to changes in demand.

Beecham Toiletries - Maidenhead
Chief Buyer responsible for the production materials budget of over £40m pa. Major improvements in the cost base of the business. Vendor base reduction programme developed and executed.