Procurement as Strategy: PGDM students gain insights from industry leader

The Apeejay School of Management (ASM) hosted an insightful guest lecture for its PGDM Trimester IV students as part of their Supply Chain Management course. The session was delivered by Mr. Samik Biswas, a seasoned professional with vast experience in Operations and Procurement, who has held leadership positions at global firms such as Boston Consulting Group, APP Indonesia, and McKinsey & Company. Currently, he is the Founder of CAPCOS, an initiative dedicated to knowledge creation, dissemination, and skill development for youth in the procurement domain.

Focusing on the theme “Strategic Importance of Sourcing”, Mr. Biswas highlighted the evolving role of procurement in modern business strategy. He explained that procurement spends often constitute more than half of a company’s budget, positioning it as a critical lever for unlocking business value. By moving beyond its traditional transactional role, procurement now drives not only cost efficiency and quality management but also ensures speed, sustainability, innovation, and the use of advanced analytics.

During the session, Mr. Biswas emphasized that organisations which approach procurement strategically can significantly strengthen their competitive edge. He shared real-world examples from his professional journey, illustrating how sourcing decisions impact overall business performance and long-term sustainability. His engaging style, backed by practical insights, resonated strongly with the students.

The lecture was highly interactive, encouraging students to raise questions, share their perspectives, and understand the broader implications of procurement in today’s globalized business environment. Many students expressed that the session expanded their view of supply chain management, motivating them to consider procurement not merely as an operational function but as a rewarding career path with immense potential.

Speaking about his motivation, Mr. Biswas shared that through CAPCOS, his aim is to bridge the industry-academia gap by preparing young professionals to meet the evolving demands of procurement and operations. His commitment to nurturing talent and spreading awareness about the strategic role of sourcing inspired the students deeply.

The guest lecture proved to be a valuable learning experience, blending academic concepts with practical knowledge. It not only deepened students’ understanding of procurement’s significance but also broadened their career aspirations in the field of supply chain management. ASM’s continued engagement with industry leaders like Mr. Biswas reaffirms its mission to provide students with experiential learning and industry-aligned exposure.

Sharing his thoughts, Manish Manral, a student of PGDM 2024-26 Batch, said, “The session was highly insightful in enhancing my understanding of the critical role of procurement. It provided me with valuable perspectives and significantly broadened my knowledge horizon in the domain of operations and analytics.” 

“Today’s session on Procurement and Spend Analytics was highly insightful. The speaker emphasised the importance of data-driven decision-making in optimising procurement strategies, strategic sourcing, negotiations, and digital transformation. The discussion on the role of spend analytics in reducing costs, strengthening supplier relationships, and streamlining procurement processes provided valuable learning and broadened my perspective on modern procurement practices,” said another student of PGDM 2024-26 Batch Vanshika Tandon.