JPS has a keen appetite for procurement excellence
SERVICES
Founder – Johnson Procurement Solutions director Steve Johnson .
HUNGRY LIKE THE WOLF
JPS has a keen appetite for procurement excellence
PICTURE : CHRIS BOOTH
Its eye-catching wolf logo reflects Johnson Procurement Solutions ’ hunger to provide a top-class service for clients wanting to join the pack .
To learn more about the Newton Aycliffe-based company , Tees Business sat down with its founder and director , Steve Johnson ...
Tell us about JPS and the core services you provide We ’ re an independent consultancy providing procurement and commercial consultancy support services throughout the UK , Europe and Middle East . We ’ ve been operating for more than eight years , providing support to key blue-chip Tier 1 contractors and end clients within the energy , oil and gas and chemical sectors .
What motivated you to start your own consultancy ? I always wanted to create something of my own and after 25 years of working in large blue-chip organisations , and a bit of soulsearching , I took the opportunity to do it .
I wanted to create a proactive consultancy that delivered capable expertise to companies that , for whatever reason , didn ’ t carry the procurement or commercial skillsets in-house .
What does the JPS wolf logo represent ? An old boss of mine once said , “ Now is the time we need to pull together , work as a team and hunt as a pack .” It just resonated with me and it ’ s what I ’ ve tried to instil in the JPS culture .
We work hand-in-hand with our clients , leading them forward as an extension of their team – not just consulting from afar .
What ’ s your experience and background ? I started as a junior QS for Tolent Construction , delivering projects in British Steel Redcar , ICI Wilton and around the area , so Teesside has become part of my DNA . Progressing to senior QS and commercial manager , I moved to a few other companies before working in Europe for the mobile network Orange as part of their global commercial function . Moving into procurement , back in the UK , I diversified into the oil and gas energy sector with AMEC , becoming supply chain leader . I then became head of procurement at Crown House-Laing O ’ Rourke in London before establishing JPS .
Which sectors does JPS specialise in ? Our key sectors are oil and gas , energy , chemical and construction .
We can provide an array of specialist services , including project procurement , strategy development , major project procurement of capital equipment , works packages and bulk material requirement , post-contract commercial management and QS support , post-award expediting and supply chain analysis .
What motivates you in business ? Primarily , delivering a great service so we can maintain our relationships with key clients , who we grow alongside .
Developing the JPS team members is greatly important to me , and we provide various training opportunities , including CIPS , as well as exposure to great projects where they gain greater levels of experience .
And what frustrates you ? Probably when people don ’ t take the time to understand what JPS is about and simply dismiss us , presuming we are a recruitment company or body shop agent – or even worse , that we ’ re trying to do existing employees out of their jobs .
All of these things couldn ’ t be further from the truth .
At what stage would you get involved in a project ? Ideally , as early as possible – the feed design stage . This way , JPS can help shape the procurement and contract strategy with best practice and up-to-date market insights .
What does the future look like for JPS ? Extremely positive , based on our pipeline expectations and current client portfolio .
We are currently recruiting and will be looking to grow our team extensively over the next two years .
We ’ re also looking to expand on our offices in County Durham .
What sets JPS apart from other procurement consultancies ? I think it goes back to the JPS wolf again . Whatever the assignment , we take the lead on everything that we do , so that means it ’ s JPS boots on the ground , delivering the services on behalf of the client . We own it . Some other consultancies can be too
“ hands-off ” but that ’ s not our way .
We ’ re the trusted procurement and commercial support partner for our clients .
Visit jps-procurementsolutions . com
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