Beyond functional experience: Building the soft skills that elevate Procurement performance
Thousands of survey responses over 12 years paint a clear picture: Soft skills like business partnering and storytelling are the biggest make-or-break factors for procurement team effectiveness and successful Category Management implementations.
Yet many organisations still struggle to grasp which skills are critical or how to develop them systematically.
Join us for a practical 60-minute panel discussion with soft skill coach Alison from Future Purchasing, capability leader Neno Predrovich of Teva Pharmaceuticals, and Procurement recruitment specialist Angharad from Zero9.
Moderated by Fabian Lampe of Advance Procurement, we'll explore why behavioural skills have moved from "nice-to-have" to essential, and what procurement excellence and capability leaders need to do about it.
You'll learn:
- Real insights into what makes procurement professionals truly effective in today's business environment
- Which skills are dominating job descriptions today and tomorrow
- The most important soft skills for Procurement
- Practical strategies for developing these skills yourself or in your teams
The speakers
Neno Predragovic
Teva
Neno is an accomplished Procurement Director at Teva, bringing extensive global experience in driving Source-to-Contract (S2C) and Source-to-Pay (S2P) transformations. His expertise lies in, digitalizing category management, strategic sourcing and optimizing procurement across indirect, direct, and capital spend.
Neno has led global policy standardization and pioneered AI-driven sourcing strategies that enhance efficiency, transparency, and strategic impact. He thrives in complex, matrixed environments — where his ability to unite cross-functional teams and lead transformational change consistently elevates procurement to a true strategic enabler.
At Teva, Neno’s focus is on embedding innovation, governance, and value creation at the heart of procurement operations. His passion for digital transformation and continuous improvement positions him as a thought leader helping organizations unlock the full potential of their procurement function.
Angharad Kenward
Zero9
Angharad’s passion is the driving force behind Zero9, a specialist consultancy dedicated to shaping the future of procurement talent. With deep expertise and an impressive network across the procurement sector, Angharad leads with purpose — connecting exceptional people to opportunities that truly make an impact.
Proud of what Zero9 has achieved, she’s equally committed to raising the bar for the industry as a whole. Under her leadership, Zero9 focuses on sourcing strategic hires who deliver real value, building high-performing project teams, and nurturing the next generation of procurement professionals through a culture of continual learning and development.
Angharad’s authentic approach and deep understanding of the procurement landscape inspire both clients and candidates alike. She champions collaboration, capability building, and the belief that great talent can transform not just organisations — but the entire market.
Alison Smith
Future Purchasing
Alison helps people and organisations get unstuck. Having once faced the frustration of not knowing what to do or which way to turn, She understands the power of perspective and the freedom that comes from seeing situations differently. Blending logic with creativity, Alison encourages audiences to step beyond the conventional, challenge limiting beliefs, and discover fresh possibilities hidden in plain sight.
Through her Landscaping Your Life approach, she equips others to navigate uncertainty, expand comfort zones, and reconnect with their inner wisdom. Her engaging sessions invite participants to explore new ways of thinking, embrace unconventional tools, and confidently take steps along paths they couldn’t previously see.
Alison is the author of Can’t See the Wood for the Trees – Landscaping Your Life to Get Back on Track and Your Prescription for Wellbeing Journal, available from online retailers.
Fabian Lampe
Advance Procurement
Fabian spent the last decade in Procurement working as Global Category Manager, Procurement Consultant, and Head of Marketing for a ProcureTech provider across different industries, categories, and geographies.
His focus on category management, sourcing, and procurement technology provides him with a deep understanding of strategic and operational procurement challenges and the potential of digital tools for driving improved outcomes through and for Procurement.
With his background in category management, supplier management, sourcing, and negotiations, Fabian connects technical capabilities with on-the-ground challenges to deliver practical relevance for sourcing professionals and solution providers.
