Turning Pressure into Performance: Procurement’s Role in Manufacturing Today

Manufacturing organisations continue to face a complex set of operational pressures, many of which have intensified over the past few years. From rising energy costs to fluctuating material prices and changing taxation policies, manufacturers are being asked to do more with less – all while maintaining efficiency, competitiveness, and quality.

Energy Costs: A Growing Threat to Stability

One of the most pressing challenges remains the high cost of energy. With the Energy Bill Relief Scheme now ended, businesses have been left exposed to volatile energy markets without substantial government backing. A recent survey found that 37% of manufacturers identify energy prices as their single biggest operational concern. These elevated costs aren’t just squeezing margins – they’re also undermining long-term investment and making it harder for businesses to plan for the future.

Material Volatility and Supply Chain Disruption

Alongside energy, material costs continue to climb. Global supply chain disruptions and geopolitical uncertainty have made raw materials more expensive and less predictable to source. This ongoing volatility is applying real pressure on margins and creating uncertainty throughout the production process. When procurement functions are under-equipped to manage supplier relationships and adapt to changing conditions, the entire operation suffers.

Taxation and Its Impact on Investment Flexibility

Taxation has also emerged as a growing concern. Changes to tax policy, such as increases in payroll taxes and adjustments to National Insurance Contributions, are having a tangible financial impact on manufacturers. These costs don’t just affect profitability – they also reduce the flexibility manufacturers have to respond to market changes, invest in innovation, or upskill their workforce.

In the face of these challenges, well-trained procurement and supply professionals are more critical than ever. Strategic procurement goes far beyond cost-cutting; it’s about understanding markets, building resilient supply chains, and creating value across the business. When procurement teams have the right training, they are better positioned to negotiate smarter energy contracts, identify alternative sourcing strategies, and leverage data to forecast and manage risk effectively.

procurement training

Empowering Procurement to Lead Under Pressure

This is where SR Supply Chain Consultants Ltd (SRSCC) offers real impact. Through industry-relevant training tailored to the current economic climate, SRSCC helps professionals develop the commercial acumen and practical skills needed to navigate cost pressures and strengthen supply-side performance. Whether it’s understanding the implications of changing tax policies or improving cost visibility across materials and services, the right training helps businesses remain agile and financially resilient.

Ultimately, the challenges facing manufacturing are not going away. But by investing in people – particularly those working at the heart of procurement and supply chain functions – manufacturers can build the capability to respond effectively. With the right skills and knowledge, organisations can not only withstand current pressures but position themselves for smarter, more sustainable growth in the future.

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Turning Pressure into Performance: Procurement’s Role in Manufacturing Today
2025-06-14T10:17:08+00:00
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Bethanie Stimpson SRSCC

Bethanie Stimpson

Progress Mentor

Bethanie began her career in the fitness industry, working as a personal trainer and gym instructor before becoming involved in coaching children through a triathlon club. This experience sparked her passion for working with young people and ultimately led her into a career in education. She initially worked in a nursery and later as a one-to-one teaching assistant in a primary school, before completing her teaching qualification and postgraduate studies. Since then, Bethanie has taught in both the private and state education sectors.

Her academic background includes a qualification in Sports Development, Fitness and Coaching at college, alongside a Childhood & Youth undergraduate degree (2:1). These studies have enabled her to combine her interests in sport, education, and child development, shaping her holistic approach to teaching and mentoring.

Bethanie is passionate about supporting learners to achieve their goals — educationally, personally, and in terms of wellbeing. She places strong emphasis on communication and relationship building, and takes great pride in helping individuals build confidence and overcome challenges. One of her proudest achievements has been supporting learners who initially doubted themselves to grow in confidence and achieve success.

Outside of work, Bethanie has always maintained a strong interest in sport. She previously competed in triathlons and now focuses on running and swimming. In 2023, she completed the London Marathon — an achievement she is particularly proud of. She also enjoys spending time outdoors with her family and their two dogs, which is where she is happiest when not working.

Ola Kambul

Skills Coach

Ola began her career in supply chain within fast-paced warehouse and logistics environments, where she developed a strong understanding of operations and people management. Her journey into the Supply Chain sector wasn’t planned, but through hands-on experience she discovered a passion for improving processes and supporting others – which naturally led her into training and development.

She has progressed through a range of roles across operations, recruitment, and training, including Programme Coach and L&D Lead. She designed and delivered apprenticeship programmes, supporting over 40 learners to successful completion and contributing to strong quality outcomes and inspection success.  Her transition into mentoring was driven by a desire to make a direct impact on people’s confidence, growth, and career progression.

Ola’s mentoring style is supportive, structured, and empowering. She combines real operational experience with coaching expertise, helping learners apply knowledge in practical workplace settings. One of her proudest career achievements has been supporting learners who started with low confidence to achieve distinctions and progress into new roles within their organisations. She has also led a UK-wide Mental Health First Aider network, embedding wellbeing into workplace culture and supporting colleagues through challenging situations.

From day one, she shares a consistent message with every learner: “You’re more capable than you think – but you have to be willing to step outside your comfort zone to see it.”

Outside of work, Ola enjoys walking with her Border Collie, Luna, and cross stitching. She recommends Legacy by James Kerr to anyone in supply chain, for its powerful insights into leadership and culture. If she wasn’t working in mentoring and development, she would likely be pursuing a career as a Visual Merchandiser.

Jack Callaghan

Jack Moore

Operations Team Leader

In December 2023, Jack joined SRSCC as an Operations Coordinator and quickly established himself as a key member of the team.

Promoted to Team Leader in October 2024, Jack utilises his expertise in auditing processes and innovative problem-solving to identify and enhance growth opportunities.

Jack possesses a strong ability to analyse and refine systems and procedures, consistently uncovering chances for streamlining and automation that drive operational efficiency. He excels at communicating complex ideas with clarity and precision.

Detail-oriented yet big-picture focused, Jack applies his exceptional organisational skills to ensure the team adopts the most effective strategies for achieving both individual and collective goals.

His methodical approach and strategic mindset make Jack an invaluable asset to SRSCC, significantly contributing to the team’s success and the realisation of organisational objectives.