MOVING FORWARD
The challenges of the past twelve months were both numerous and daunting for almost every sector of the Australian economy. The most obvious of these was the Global Financial Crisis. The GFC may be over as we surge along the road to recovery but, for many, the memories will remain for years to come. Almost every Australian family felt the impact of unexpected job losses and the flow on effect of diving company profits and stocks. We would do well to remember it, regardless of how soon it may become a distant memory.
The year ahead poses different challenges for industry, but in some ways they may be equally difficult.
The key area of concern for the Australian economy is the looming skills shortage, and this is particularly relevant to those in procurement and supply. Many companies we have spoken to have already experienced difficulties due to the decreasing numbers of available procurement and supply practitioners. In fact, we have assisted companies on a few occasions in the past month alone, after the company in question undertook extensive advertising and failed to find even one suitable candidate to shortlist for their vacancy.
In addition to the challenges presented by a
limited pool of skilled staff, experts have
predicted a serious backlash from employees
over their experiences during the GFC. For
many companies, this has already begun, with
staff turnover levels soaring in the first six
months of 2010.
During the economic downturn, the pendulum
of power swung back toward the employer for
the first time in nearly a decade and the
general reaction to the GFC was to slash
training budgets, staff numbers and rewards
programs as primary cost-cutting initiatives. In
reaction, it is expected that a large percentage
of employees are ready to move on at the first opportunity. Some companies have already begun to implement damage control
policies aimed at combating this problem, but it may prove to be a case of “too little, too late”. This, in combination with the skills
shortage crisis, means the next twelve months will be a particularly challenging time for employers.
For those readers responsible for hiring and maintaining teams, ProcureNet is in a strong position to help. We have been a market leader in specialist recruitment for procurement and supply chain professionals for over 16 years, and our methodology is as successful today as ever. As the first national recruitment agency to truly specialise in this field, our database and network of procurement and supply chain professionals is unsurpassed. We welcome the opportunity to assist both new and existing clients through the challenges ahead.
The message to those who are concerned for their future job prospects, or those seeking a new opportunity, is to prepare and be ready. We urge all registered jobseekers to polish their resumes and ensure their contact details and salary requirements are up to date.
"The surest way not to fail is to determine to succeed.” – Richard Brinsley Sheridan.
Andrew Duncan
Queensland News – The New Year started with a more positive approach to employment than the end of 2009. The various projects will take a while to get to full employment capacity however the signs are good that Queensland is improving in its business confidence and will again challenge Western Australia for the title of the business leader of Australia.
It is timely to remind our candidates on the database that if you have not updated their CV with us recently, now is a good time to do so. Changes to your place of work, educational qualifications or a change of preferences are very important to us, especially if you have gained experience on a new computer system. It is often the case that a key search criteria for candidates is a particular system, eg. SAP or MIMS.
Congratulations to Alan Dickson who has been
successful in being appointed to a permanent position
as Production Planner with Australian Convenience
Foods here in Brisbane.
I recently attended a two day conference on the buildup
in the Surat Basin, here in Queensland, which was
extremely interesting and constructive. The potential
for the Queensland economy is enormous; however
the amount of work and infrastructure required is quite
staggering. This is from an individual company point of
view as well as a Queensland Government
perspective. This also highlights the huge
opportunities for employment but also the prospect of
the skill shortage that will come into play.
A particular focus of our own advertising is the need to
have an effective and efficient Supply Department. Inventory Management is always a contentious issue, especially with the
accounting world. To help in this area, RubiKon is holding a seminar in October to showcase their new inventory optimisation
system. Please visit www.rubikon.com.au for further information, and to register for this worthwhile event.
John Edwards
West News –Hi again from the West! Well, Brian and Elizabeth and family made it back safely from Europe (surviving the really cold temperatures) and are settling back in to life in Perth (surviving a severe hail storm).
ProcureNet West recently completed the fourth annual stocktake for Burrup Fertilisers in Karratha. Our team completed the task professionally and quickly with very positive feedback received from the client. Well done (again) to all those on the team and I would like to thank everyone from Burrup for their continued support and cooperation.
We are starting to notice an increase in activity in our sector of recruitment in Western Australia. In recent discussion with some of our regular clients, they have made the same observation - and as with the rapid pull-back in activity with the advent of the GFC, we seem to be about to experience a similarly rapid up-tick. Predictions are that the skills and resource shortages experienced prior to the GFC will be back with a vengeance; with some predictions that the situation could, in fact become even more acute than before (refer lead article “Moving Forward”). We did experience a temporary pause while the mining super-tax debate raged, but this too now seems to have settled.
In the last edition I mentioned that First Quantum Minerals is re-opening the Ravensthorpe nickel operation. It is now evident that the Windimurra Vanadium operation is also being re-opened (by Mineral Resources Ltd and Atlantic Ltd). Iluka Resources, too, have announced a new operation at Cataby, however they have also initiated the idling of operations to care and maintenance status at their mid-west (Eneabba) site. Overall, though, there is quite a bit of expansion starting to occur in the Mining & Oil & Gas sectors (eg Atlas Iron, Catalpa Resources and others).
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Arthur Bateson
Central News –It has been an eventful time since our last newsletter, with South Australia and Northern Territory continuing to do well as our economy recovers swiftly. ProcureNet Central has continued to flourish since the start of the year and we eagerly anticipate helping many of our readers to find qualified staff, or the next challenge in their careers, as 2010 progresses.
During the last two months of the financial year, our team completed a major stocktake for BHP Billiton’s Olympic Dam warehouses (both above ground and underground). ProcureNet’s contractors performed exceptionally well, despite working an arduous roster in order to have the task completed by the end of financial year. Feedback was fantastic and the Superviser was thoroughly impressed at such a diverse team working seamlessly together to complete an outstanding job. We offer our sincere thanks and congratulations to all those involved.
We are pleased to report that Tom Dey has recently accepted a permanent role with OZ Minerals’ Prominent Hill site as their Site Services Superintendent. After five months on contract through ProcureNet, Tom’s expertise and professionalism earned him a well deserved permanent offer, and we wish Tom the very best for the future in his new role.
We would also like to congratulate Mohana Jayabalan on her permanent appointment as Logistics Officer with O&G Solutions. Mohana’s dedication to the role and her fantastic work ethic were pivotal in securing the permanent offer after only three months on contract with ProcureNet. We wish Mohana a long and happy tenure at O&G Solutions.
Finally, we would like to add a quick reminder to all registered jobseekers to ensure your contact details and resumes are up-todate, in readiness for the upcoming demand.
Andrew Duncan
East News –Activity in NSW remains slow, however there is an increase in mining business in the State. New mines are being talked about and there is added anticipation of investment from China and India into the area.
As with Queensland, if any registered candidates have not updated their CV recently, please do so as it will increase your chances of being considered for positions.
Our main article is highlighting the need to address the skill shortage which is rapidly approaching. One highly effective way to add value to your own staff is to upskill in-house. A company we have a strong alliance with is Logistics and Supply Chain Strategies (L&SC). L&SC have the capability to train/educate your staff above their current levels. This includes introducing stores staff to purchasing, purchasing staff to the higher detail of procurement, and so forth. Please visit www.lscs.com.au for more information. L&SC are also featured on our Training Guide on the ProcureNet web site.
John Edwards
SouthEast News–Activity in Victoria and Tasmania has remained steady over the past few months, with good signs of recovery forecast for the coming months.
Expressions of interest are being sought from experienced Procurement professionals with an interest in recruitment, to invest in a ProcureNet franchise for the Victoria / Tasmania region (SouthEast). For a confidential discussion, please feel free to contact Andrew Duncan on 08 8391 5333.
We will soon begin gearing up for the 6th CIPSA Annual Conference which will be held on the 13th and 14th October 2010 in Melbourne. This outstanding event has been supported by ProcureNet since it began in 2005, and attendee numbers are expected to reach record highs this year. This year, the event will be held at the new Crown Conference Centre to accommodate the continuing growth of CIPSA’s annual flagship event.
In addition, ProcureNet is proud to be sponsoring the Young Procurement Professional of the Year award at the 4th Annual Procurement Professional Awards night which is held on Wednesday, 13 October 2010. The ProcureNet group strongly encourages professional recognition for the young leaders in our profession, and we are honoured to be supporting this award for the second time. Please remember to visit www.cipsaconferences.com.au to register for the upcoming conference and awards dinner, and to take advantage of the Early Bird discount before 13 August 2010.
Andrew Duncan
The 6th CIPSA Annual Conference
Managing Volatility
13th & 14th October 2010
Crown Conference Centre Melbourne
The CIPSA flagship Annual Conference will relocate to the new Crown Conference Centre, a brand new addition to the ever-growing Crown complex in Melbourne. This new international standard conference venue will accommodate the continuing growth in this annual flagship event and provide for even greater choice for delegates. The programme theme - Managing Volatility - addresses the strategic professional agenda for procurement in the keynote plenary sessions, while providing delegates with real practical deliverables and learning points through the multi-streamed tactical seminars.
Full programme details and information regarding speakers, sponsors, the venue, accommodation, transport and networking events can be found at the web site address above.
Networking Events
Of course, a key benefit in attending a conference such as this is the opportunity it affords to network with your peers and suppliers of relevant goods and services.
Lunch on both days will be served buffet-style in the Purchasing Exchange, allowing delegates the opportunity to browse the booths, renew old acquaintances and make new ones.
At the conclusion of formal proceedings on Day 1, drinks will be served in the Purchasing Exchange for an hour after the conference sessions close, before delegates head over to Crown Palladium for the main evening’s entertainment, The 4th CIPS Australasia Procurement Professional Awards Dinner.
The Awards Dinner will be preceded by a cocktail function in the Crown Palladium Atrium.
Don’t miss out on your early bird booking! Visit www.cipsaconferences.com.au today.
ProcureNet maintains Australasia’s largest specialist database of experienced Supply, Procurement and Logistics professionals.
Enjoy the ease of dealing with consultants who are experienced Supply Professionals and possess the vital knowledge to fully understand your requirements.
Successfully connecting Emplyers with skilled Procurement and Supply specialists since 1994.
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