Behind the Screen: Richard from Procurement

This month we meet the man behind Explorate's growing procurement function. We learn what procurement does, how it can help our clients and what we can expect from here on in.

Our Head of Procurement Richard is a strategic thinker and reliable team player, proud uncle and godfather. When Richard isn�t in the office, you can find him listening to some epic 70's rock tunes, reading an autobiography or enjoying the newfound hobby of renovating his Adelaide home.

With 34 years of experience in the industry, he is an expert in building relationships with our clients and suppliers based on trust, solid knowledge and mutual benefits. 

"The best advice I can give to a customer is to think carefully before making a purchase. Think strategically and not transactionally. Think team benefit and not individual benefit. Move forward and embrace technology."

Richard Brine - Head of Procurement, Explorate

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1. Tell us a little more about the role of the Procurement team and how's it growing

The procurement team supports the organisational goals and objectives, develops strong strategic supplier relationships and supports the sales and operations staff to provide the best solution and service to the customer. With the company's rapid growth we are increasing the team to accelerate our vendor strategy and solution selling.

2. What is the best thing about working at Explorate?

The best thing? Being part of a company that is actively investing in talented staff who are the future leaders of our industry. I also enjoy seeing and helping with their development and working for someone who is an agent of disruption, innovation and change.

3. What's something that has changed about Procurement or freight forwarding in the last 5 years?

It's been a rapid and sustained period of revolutionising the industry with digitalisation, the effective use of available data and the improvement of real time visibility. I started with telex machines, no email, no mobile phones, no internet and no wifi, which is just an example of how much we have evolved.

4. What's the best advice you can give to a customer when it comes to Procurement?

Procurement helps improve the efficiency and effectiveness of a company's performance so think carefully before making a purchase. , Think strategically and not transactionally, think team benefit and not individual benefit and move forward and embrace technology.

5. What's something interesting that you've watched, read or listened to recently?

Just finished reading "A Perfect Reunion of Contrary Things" by Maynard James Keenan.

6. If you could switch roles with someone in the team for a day, who would it be and why?

One of the owners so I can say I owned a business for a day!

7. What advice would you give to someone looking for a new Procurement job?

Do it. It's a great career path that provides the ability to build relationships with workmates, customers and suppliers that last a lifetime. It also allows you to make a significant contribution to the success of a company and to travel the world, which provides lifetime memories. It's a great path to senior management roles.

8. Do you have any predictions on what the rest of 2022 will look like for Procurement in the freight forwarding industry?

Volatility and uncertainty. We have experienced a one off lifetime event that has significantly changed the trends in our industry and where it all lands is simply unknown. Expect the unexpected.

Interested in seeing the world-class service and competitive rates our Procurement team can offer? Contact us.