Learn how to source

My name is Dave Barr, The Real Life Buyer, and I have been a Purchasing Professional for over 20 years. I started my career as a Technical Apprentice as a 16 year old riding my 50cc trials bike 20 miles to work and back every day, in all weathers. I graduated at 20 and moved into the world of Quality Engineering for the manufacture and testing of industrial diesel engines. I loved the world of Quality Management and studied this subject whilst stepping up and managing a team of inspectors ensuring parts supplied from around the world were to specification. Within a year, the old BS5750 quality management system came to pass, which led me into systems and processes and I worked with a colleague to gain our business this accreditation. Soon after, a new opportunity yearned and my growing love for windsurfing drew me to a new position by the sea implementing BS5750 for a new company, leading me into becoming a Quality Manager. Within a few years, my influence and support for the Purchasing Manager grew and I regularly attended supplier meetings and developments. This then led me to becoming the Purchasing Manager a year or so later when the opportunity presented itself and so I studied hard with the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply and gained my qualification and membership. I must have been doing something right, as within a few years I was approached by the Group Purchasing Director and was offered the new position of Commodity Manager buying Castings and Forgings worldwide. This exposed me to global manufacturing first hand and I embarked on significant international travels. A few years later, a significant global manufacturer in the world of war gaming offered me the Procurement Management position. This presented me not only further in-house manufacturing exposure, but new opportunities to globalise the supply chain for incoming products and also global manufacturing, warehousing, distribution and retail. After a wonderful 5 years, new opportunities arose again with a large business delivering significant investment and growth in UK infrastructure. Once again, I was plunged into the procurement of different products, services and now also facilities management. After the birth of my son, my family yearned for us to return to the coast. I returned to a former global manufacturer and employer, having now amassed further experience. Ten more happy years have passed and my thirst for procurement and facilities continues to drive me.