Post by Nimit Chadha, that procurement guy🧞‍♂️

Procurement is a game of strategy, structure, and sequencing. It’s not just about buying Everyone wants to win the negotiation. But most procurement teams lose before they even begin. Why? Because they skip the levels. 1. They chase savings without aligning with the business. 2. They walk into negotiations without understanding the supplier. 3. They’re reactive instead of prepared. And in procurement, preparation is power. This roadmap, The Procurement Game, is a reality check. The highest-performing procurement teams don’t just know the finish line. They know the path that gets them there. Let’s break it down: 🔹 Level 1: Align with the business because you can't lead strategy if you don't understand it 🔹 Level 2: Build supplier intelligence to know who you’re dealing with before you shake hands 🔹 Level 3: Market & competitor analysis because no team wins without scouting the field 🔹 Level 4: Internal preparation because external influence starts with internal clarity 🔹 Level 5–7: Define goals, understand your counterpart’s mindset, and know when to use carrots and when to use sticks 🔹 Level 8: Simulate and scenario plan; the smartest negotiators win deals before they start 🔹 Level 9: Then you execute the negotiation and close with confidence Too many teams try to jump from Level 1 to Level 9. But skipping steps doesn’t save time. It just increases risk. Procurement is evolving. And the teams who win aren’t the fastest, they’re the most deliberate. Post Credits: Marjin Overvest