Join the QLD Branch for an engaging and thought-provoking procurement networking event focused on one of the biggest challenges facing the profession today: procurement talent.

Whether you are growing, building, or leading a team, this session will explore innovative approaches to attracting, retaining, and developing procurement talent, no matter the size or maturity of your team. From identifying potential in emerging professionals to harnessing the skills of mid-career experts and inspiring leaders, this event is designed to spark ideas and deliver practical takeaways that can be applied across industries and career stages.

The panel will feature a diverse lineup offering unique perspectives. Together, they will share tips and tricks on how to flourish at any stage of your career, how to identify and grow talent, and what it takes to build and retain a high-performing procurement team in a rapidly evolving environment.

Event Details:

📅 Date: Thursday 27 March 2025

🕒 Time: 5:30pm - 8:00pm (AEST)

📍 Location: Flight Centre Building - 275 Grey Street, South Brisbane

Event Programme:

5:30pm - Registration and Arrival
6:00pm - Welcome - CIPS Committee / Chair
6:05pm - Presentation
6:50pm - Q&A
7:15pm - Networking
8:00pm - Event closes

This event promises to be both inspirational and practical, leaving you with new strategies. Discover what questions to ask, what qualities to look for, and how to invest in and develop your procurement teams to drive success. Whether you’re a graduate just starting out, a professional looking to advance, or a leader aiming to build a resilient team, you’ll walk away equipped with insights to elevate your career or team to the next level.

Event Speakers:

Adam Bowles - Country Director - Australia, OneAdvanced

Adam Bowles is the Australia Country Director for OneAdvanced. OneAdvanced is a UK head-quartered enterprise software and services supplier, whose mission is to power the world of work.

With 13 years of leadership positions in SaaS companies in both the UK and Australia, Adam joined OneAdvanced via an acquisition in 2018. Adam is responsible for executing OneAdvanced’s corporate strategy in the Australia and New Zealand markets.

Adam enjoys working with our extensive, diverse range of local customers and helping their businesses be more efficient and effective through technology.

Bruce Pain - Director Procurement, University Queensland

Bruce is a procurement and supply professional dedicated to driving significant business performance and enhancing supplier outcomes through effective relationships. His expertise lies in transforming vision, capability, policy, processes, and technology within procurement and supply operations. Bruce has been consistently sought after to revamp procurement and supply functions in large, complex organizations across diverse industries and geographies.

Bruce’s approach is grounded in building strong business partner relationships and understanding suppliers' roles within value chains. This includes expertise in customer experience, innovation, category management, sourcing, contract management, and supplier relationship management. Additionally, he is committed to achieving environmental, social, and governance (ESG) objectives by integrating ESG considerations into routine procurement and supply planning and operations.

Damien Durston - Head of Sales, People Management, OneAdvanced

Damien Durston is the ANZ Head of Sales for OneAdvanced’s People Management Solutions. With many years of IT industry experience, overlayed with many Senior Operational Roles, Damien brings a wealth of knowledge around understanding how technology and business should and can co-exist.

His goal is to transform the way customers and organisations support their operations using technology, by bringing a ‘best of breed’ approach and an innovative way of working that benefits all organisations. Damien has a particular interest in assisting Australian businesses to enhance their sometimes-outdated HR & People Management systems.

Damien works to optimise through innovative thought processes to drive value in every part of the journey.

Hayley Wilson - Principal Consultant - Procurement, Contracts and Supply Chain, Troocoo

Hayley Wilson is a Principal Consultant at Troocoo, specialising in the recruitment of professionals within the Procurement, Contracts & Supply Chain division. Hayley is dedicated to connecting a diverse range of top talent with organisations, ensuring mutual success.

At Troocoo the Procurement, Contracts & Supply Chain team recruit for both temporary and permanent appointments across all industries. Hayley has over 2 years of experience in Procurement focused recruitment across multiple states. She has quickly become a renowned industry expert in her space.

Thank you to OneAdvanced for sponsoring this event, providing the venue, food and beverages.

Registering for this event will opt you in to receive a post event feedback survey. We appreciate any feedback you are willing to provide CIPS and your local branch to help the continuous improvements of events. There is no obligation to complete this survey.

Contact the host of QLD Branch - Finding Procurement Talent