“Although procurement is a robust and methodical process, it can also deal with broader and strategic challenges”
Get to know John Pisani, Director for Victoria and Tasmania
How did you end up here? What is your professional background?
After an 18-year career within Victorian Government, starting out as a road safety engineer, then moving into technology and then into procurement and contracts. I have been in management consulting for over 8 years now working within procurement projects mainly focusing on government clients.
How do you spend most of your days?
Most of my day is a juggle of leading multiple procurement delivery projects, finding time to respond to a proposal or connecting with clients.
What trends do you see in your work?
We are seeing more clients now look to procurement consulting firms as a longer-term strategic partner to their business, rather than for running one-off sourcing events. With the cost pressures and resourcing challenges, we are getting more involved in supplier spend reviews and capability uplift programs to assist in driving changes for procurement functions to be more strategic to deliver these savings outcomes.
What do you enjoy about working in consulting?
I love the variety I get from working with different clients, and although I’ve had a long career in government, I am always learning from my clients about the challenges they are facing.
What do you love best about procurement?
I love that although procurement is a robust and methodical process, it can also deal with broader and strategic challenges at the same time if you know how to use it wisely. The thing that I enjoy most about the procurement process is that once you design and issue a tender, it’s left to the market to reply, and you always see suppliers respond to the same request sometimes very differently. I really enjoy figuring out how to bring it together to make the best value-for-money outcome for my clients.
How long have you been at ArcBlue? What made you join us?
I have been with ArcBlue for 4 months now and am really enjoying it. I have learnt a lot from my previous roles in big and small consulting firms and I’m finding a great balance in between at ArcBlue, with also having the opportunity to work with Bain on a project already.
What’s something not many people know about you?
I can do the Rubik’s cube in 1 minute flat, it’s a skill I mastered during lockdown.
What can we normally find you doing on the weekend?
I am mostly going out to breakfast or lunch with my wife and catching up with family or getting into my garden.
Do you have any pets?
I have a 14-year-old Puggle (half Beagle half Pug) called Bongo.
Want to know more? Reach out to John
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