The Indotronix Avani Group was proud to present yet another episode of our groundbreaking series, 
. This episode featured CPO and Procurement guru, Paul Williams, who delved into Procurement Strategies and Best Practices in the Public and Private sector and building sustainable supply chains.
Key takeaways included:
- Differences Between Sectors: The discussion explored key differences between public and private sector procurement, focusing on transparency, risk management, and strategic flexibility.
- Approach to Supplier Diversity: The conversation highlighted differences in how each sector approached supplier diversity, which was influenced by legal restrictions and organizational priorities.
- Sustainability in Procurement: The impact of sustainability goals on supplier selection and management in the public and private sectors was discussed, revealing different approaches and priorities.
- Advice for Diverse Suppliers: Paul provided advice for diverse suppliers looking to engage with public sector organizations like UC, emphasizing the importance of certification, competitiveness, and understanding organizational needs.
Powerful statements made by our featured guest included:
“In the private sector, you may make decisions that are not necessarily driven 100% by the score of the RFP… but in the public sector, everything is transparent and 100% based on predetermined criteria.”
“We have a target to get to 25% sustainable spend within each spend category… there’s always a question or consideration for the sustainability impact of the proposal.”
Who benefitted from attending the chat?
- Procurement Executives
- Sustainability leaders
- Contingent Workforce Program Managers
- Managed Service Providers
- Staffing Suppliers
About the Speaker:
Paul Williams
Chief Procurement Officer, University of California
Paul Williams is the University of California Systemwide Procurement Chief Procurement Officer and Associate Vice President.
In this role, Paul provides vision, direction, and leadership to support UC’s mission of education, world-research and community impact, with a particular focus on sustainability and supplier diversity.
Paul has over 30 years of Strategic Sourcing, Supply Chain, and Business Process Improvement experience at Procter & Gamble, Pfizer, The Clorox Company, Kraft Foods, and Mondelēz International. He also served as a Small Business Development volunteer in the U.S. Peace Corps – Morocco, where he focused on economic development and women’s entrepreneurship initiatives.
Paul currently serves on the Executive Advisory Board of the Western Region Minority Supplier Development Council and on the Board of the Global Humanity Summit. He has also served as Treasurer and Secretary on the Executive Committee of the New York New Jersey Minority Supplier Development Council, a member of the Maplewood Community Board on Police, and was Board Chair of ValleyArtsNJ, an arts and economic empowerment organization. Paul is also the founder of Pop Up Circumstance, a global arts advocacy organization. And is a Board Member of the Black Arts & Access Residency (BAAR) program.
Paul has a B.S. in Business Administration from Florida A&M University. He lives in Oakland, California with his wife, Kali, and four daughters, Zora, Nina, Maya, and Sonia. His motto is “To whom much is given, much is required.”
About :
Indotronix’s virtual fireside chat series, ‘Talent Views,’ is a must-attend event for anyone seeking to gain valuable insights and knowledge from innovators and thought leaders in the Talent space. With every episode featuring a live conversation with top practitioners in procurement, MSPs, staffing, DE&I, and more, you can expect an immersive and engaging experience that will undoubtedly leave you better equipped to succeed in talent management.