National Procurement Awards live again and celebrated in style

Now in their 12th year, The National Procurement Awards made a return to a live event format. Held at The Clontarf Castle Hotel, a broad range of submissions were in competition from across the sector with an impressive collection of projects, campaigns and innovations being showcased.

The Irish Times were Communications Partner to the Awards.

In all, 16 trophies were handed out. Notable winners on the night included Michael Cunningham, recipient of the Procurement Leader 2022 Award, and Manor Farm who took the Grand Prix, Overall Excellence in Procurement for their Mercadona Project.

Lyndsay Pollard, project and programs manager at Verizon, said, “We were so excited to be this year’s platinum sponsor for the Procurement Awards 2022. As we work closely within this sector, we understand how exceptionally challenging it has been this year for everyone in so many ways. It was great to see how the finalists came together to tell their positive stories, showing fantastic innovation and perseverance, while raising industry standards. Congratulations to everyone involved, including the event organisers and a special well done to the winners.”

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Matthew Davidson, head of procurement at Manor Farm said, “In the most challenging times for businesses around the world, our sector and procurement teams up and down the country are continuing to make a positive impact, I am honoured to have been awarded the Overall Excellence in Procurement award.”

Another of this year’s sponsors was Hays, whose Director, Jennifer Dillon, said: “We were very happy to sponsor this year’s National Procurement Awards and would like to congratulate all category award winners. At Hays, we always strive for excellence in recruitment and we are proud to have sponsored these awards which celebrate the best-in-class businesses in the procurement space from around the country.”

Another finalist was Kirby Group Engineering. Their procurement specialist, David Prendergast, said, “Our goal at Kirby Group Engineering is to deliver quality projects and satisfied clients through collaboration on all aspects of the delivery, including procurement. This project was delivered in a very challenging supply chain environment which makes being part of this event even more rewarding.”

They were joined on the podium by Primark whose procurement director, Ross Grierson, said, “Primark was happy to participate in the National Procurement Awards again this year, and our team was delighted to be shortlisted for Best Procurement Transformation. These awards continue to be a great showcase of the procurement capability and talent in Ireland. Congratulations to all those shortlisted and to the winners.”

The Education Procurement Service was also one of the finalists this year. Philip Gurnett, EPS director and head of sourcing education said, “The NPA has become a staple event on the EPS calendar. EPS values the Awards as an opportunity to showcase the value that we deliver to our stakeholders and to support the ongoing reform in public procurement. As a platform it serves to foster innovation and transformative procurement projects.”

Speaking at the awards, Kevin O’Driscoll, director partnership programmes, Business River said, “Events like this are made possible through the support of sponsors. We are thankful to our 2022 sponsors, which included Verizon, Hays, and 123 Ink. Their investment in the awards underlines their commitment and support of this key business area.”

The awards were judged by a distinguished panel of procurement experts and drawn from all areas of the sector.

Judging panel:

Francis Kehoe (judging co-ordinator), associate director, KPMG

Ingrid De Doncker, head of research, Future Planet, CEO, IDDEA

Paul Farrelly, head of procurement, Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII)

Dr. Colum Foley, assistant professor of Management, DCU Business School

Dominic Kelly, global manager (head), data center services procurement and supplier management at Amazon Web Services

Órla King, manager, procurement, West Pharmaceutical Services Ireland Ltd

Paul Maguire, manager public procurement, Enterprise Ireland

Ann Melia, head of procurement and contracts, University of Galway

Eavan O’Halloran, director, Dunnes Stores

Michael O’Callaghan, director, IPICS The Supply Chain Management Institute

Dr. Muiris O’Ceidigh, chief executive, National Milk Agency

Stephen Ryan, senior program manager, Johnson & Johnson MedTech

Anne Stewart, procurement director, Kerry Group

Winners:

Procurement Leader 2022

Winner: Michael Cunningham

Most Innovative Use of Technology

Winner: Market X Flutter - Compass Group Ireland

Best People Development Initiative – Sponsored by Verizon

Winner: ESB

Best Supplier Relationship Management

Winner: Bristol Myers Squibb Cruiserath

Best Procurement Transformation

Winner: Project Titan “One Team, One Target” - Permanent TSB and Efficio

Best SME Procurement Project of the Year

Winner: Rejuice

Best Green Procurement Project of the Year – Sponsored by Verizon

Winner: An Post

Best International Procurement Project of the Year

Winner: Mercadona Project - Manor Farm

Best Procurement Internal Collaboration Project of the Year

Winner: 3 Year Maintenance Renewal with a Critical Optical Transport Network Supplier - Verizon

Best Procurement External Collaboration Project of the Year

Winner: Project Titan ‘One Team, One Target’ - Permanent TSB and Efficio

Best Public Sector, Semi-State or Government Procurement Project of the Year – Sponsored by Hays

Winner: Procurement of Dart and Fleet, Iarnród Éireann

Best Education Procurement Project of the Year

Winner: Office of Government Procurement and Education and Training Boards Ireland

Best Construction Procurement Project of the Year – Sponsored by Hays

Winner: Macro Collocation New Build Services Fixed Matrix Pricing Initiative - Verizon

Best Supply Chain Team of the Year

Winner: Meade Farm Group

Best Procurement Team of the Year – Sponsored by 123 Ink

Winner: Dublin Bus

Overall Excellence in Procurement

Winner: Mercadona Project - Manor Farm