Focus on Procurement interview – Murray Bays
This month we were privileged to interview Murray Bays, Head of Strategic Procurement for the University of Auckland.
Where are you from?
I'm a Kiwi, originally from north of Auckland. Auckland is my home base now, but my career has taken me on a global adventure. Think of me as a Kiwi with a well-worn passport!
What did you train in and where did you study?
I started my academic journey at Mahurangi College and the then Auckland Institute of Technology, initially as a plastics engineer, and then in the digital print media industry. My entry into a role with significant procurement responsibility was with the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF).
I earned a Master of Strategic Studies (with Distinction) from Victoria University of Wellington and graduated from the NZDF Command and Staff College, which was as challenging and fun as it sounds!
What attracted you to a role in procurement? And what keeps you here?
The strategic nature of procurement and the chance to make a real impact at the core of what sustains an organisation's success drew me in. What keeps me here is the ever-changing landscape of procurement.
Every day brings a new challenge and an opportunity to work with extremely talented and inspiring people.
Plus, who doesn’t love unravelling the implications of a good globally impactful crisis? The opportunity to travel and work in culturally diverse regions, from Europe to Asia and the Middle East, has been incredibly enriching and keeps the role exciting.
I've been blessed to work for fantastic organisations with great brands like the Royal New Zealand Navy, Fonterra, Suntory, and now the University of Auckland, all of which have provided a wealth of diverse experiences and insights.
What advice would you give anyone considering a career in procurement?
Keep learning and stay adaptable – curiosity is a key trait to cultivate. Procurement requires both strategic thinking and attention to detail. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, seek out mentorship, and embrace opportunities to deliver change.
Remember, self-doubt is just a sign that you’re pushing your boundaries – so keep at it! Embrace opportunities to work in different regions and sectors; it broadens your perspective and enhances your skills.
The diverse experiences I've had from working in completely different industries, from the Defence Force, Dairy, Consumer Beverages, and now Higher Education, have been invaluable.
What are three things the public do not know about the role of procurement in their lives?
- Making visible the often-invisible hand: Procurement professionals are often the unsung heroes ensuring that everything from your morning coffee to your smartphone is available when you need it.
- Strategic impact: It’s not just about buying stuff for our organisation; it’s about the ‘strategy’ in strategic sourcing, risk management, and the noble quest of continuously creating value for your company.
- Sustainability: Procurement plays a crucial role in promoting sustainable practices and ethical sourcing.
Can you please detail your top three achievements from your time in procurement?
OK, love talking about this question. It’s not really about three things; it's about many things. Throughout my career in procurement, I've had the opportunity to lead transformational changes and navigate through some challenging times.
I've led large regional procurement transformations leveraging multi-national scale, delivering on global objectives across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. This has resulted in greater cohesion and more effective operations in extremely diverse and complex environments.
Sustainability continues to be a key focus for me. I've spearheaded programmes to embed sustainability into the procurement process, ensuring that environmental and social considerations are an integral part of our decision-making responsibilities.
Strategic sourcing and category management have been areas where, by leading and working with immensely talented people, we have delivered significant value across global supply networks. Our efforts have optimised supply chains and enhanced supplier relationships.
I’m passionate about leading high-performing, diverse teams. Creating a culture of trust, open expression, and success-driven motivation has always been a priority for me. This area can be both a challenge and a massive opportunity, particularly when joining new organisations.
And let's not forget the resilience and risk mitigation efforts during the challenges of Covid-19 and the global inflationary impacts resulting from the war in Ukraine. Navigating procurement during these times felt a bit like being thrown into a stormy ocean without an obvious way out – dangerous and daunting.
We had to reconstruct our global sourcing supply chain virtually from the ground up, but emerged stronger, more future-resilient, and ultimately very proud of the outcomes we achieved for our organisation.
What is the most exciting thing happening in procurement right now?
The integration of digital technologies and data analytics into procurement processes is revolutionising the field and exponentially expanding the value procurement can deliver to the success of an organisation.
By embracing these opportunities, organisations are not only staying ahead of the curve but also reaping significant rewards in efficiency, innovative capabilities, cost savings, and strategic decision-making. Exciting times ahead!
In an ideal world where you were not confined by a budget, what would you introduce to procurement that could help the industry function and develop?
I would introduce a New Zealand Procurement Innovation Ministry, or similar entity, with a mission to equip ‘all’ NZ industries, beyond just government, with the tools to deliver innovative business outcomes, sustainability initiatives, and continuous professional development programmes.
Imagine an industry where procurement isn't just an enabling function but the driving force behind Kiwi innovation! This would transform procurement into the superhero of the business world, key to building our economy with a competitive edge, efficiency, sustainability, and a touch of Kiwi ingenuity.
Additionally, I would focus on developing and offering procurement degrees at the university level. During my time in Europe, I witnessed the benefits of higher education graduates with master’s degrees in procurement.
Most of my Paris-based team had these degrees, and their professionally focused talent was outstanding. This is quite common in Europe, where several countries offer university degrees specialising in procurement, beyond just an inclusion in supply chain management. It is a significant enabler for procurement as a profession.
In your opinion what is New Zealand’s greatest contribution to the procurement community here or overseas?
New Zealand's greatest contribution to the procurement community is linked to the ideals of the previous question and revolves around unrealised opportunity. It is the potential to help drive our industry to a competitive global edge.
Our commitment to sustainability and ethical sourcing should evolve to set a benchmark for the rest of the world. By integrating these values into procurement practices, we not only lead by example but also inspire global standards. Additionally, our innovative spirit and ability to punch above our weight on the global stage are truly remarkable.
Imagine harnessing this potential fully. New Zealand could become a powerhouse of procurement excellence, driving our global competitiveness through science and innovation. Moreover, by ensuring credibility in security, we can attract supporting foreign investment in our industry.
This combination of ethical practices, innovation, and security will position New Zealand as a trusted leader in the global procurement community, fostering economic growth and international partnerships.
Nominate someone for our series
We want to interview people who are at any stage in their careers in procurement.
That can be the graduate who has just dipped their toe in the industry, the critic, the influencer, the person not afraid of an interesting project, to the leaders in procurement who are pushing the envelope on what procurement can do and enabling their teams to succeed.
This is an interview series that celebrates the procurement community. If you know of someone who would be good to interview or someone who has something interesting to say email us.