The challenge
A leading utility and infrastructure organisation operating within a highly regulated and constantly evolving environment continually requires niche external expertise across a wide range of disciplines.
Whether through regulatory change, major capital programmes, operational pressures, or emerging priorities, this demand is often difficult to predict. Requirements regularly arise at short notice, calling for rapid access to niche capabilities while maintaining compliance, governance, and value for money.
This environment also led to the organisation needing clearer visibility and control over its external resource spend, and a way to engage both established strategic partners and emerging specialist suppliers quickly and without unnecessary friction.
To meet these demands, the business needed a flexible, scalable delivery model capable of handling both planned and urgent procurements, without slowing down delivery for time-sensitive work.
The solution
Reed Talent Solutions implemented an integrated end-to-end services procurement management (SPM) solution that brings direct award and competitive procurement capabilities together in a single operating model.
In this model, a dedicated procurement management team acts as an extension of the client's internal procurement function, supporting stakeholders from requirement definition through to supplier engagement and contract award. This team draws on an established marketplace of more than 1,800 pre-vetted suppliers, giving the organisation rapid access to specialist expertise across a diverse range of disciplines, including asset management, technology and digital, operations and engineering, finance, and commercial support.
A streamlined process enables priority supplier onboarding within two days, supported by annual compliance reviews to maintain strong governance. The scalable delivery model supports direct awards within two-to-five days and competitive procurements within ten days, so the organisation can move at the pace its projects demand without compromising on due diligence. In-life contract management keeps every project accountable, ensuring it is on time and within budget.
This approach complements the organisation's wider total talent strategy using Reed Talent Solutions, which includes contingent workforce management, permanent recruitment, and early careers programmes. By integrating workforce and services procurement into one unified framework, the organisation gains full visibility and control of external resource spend, alongside more consistent supplier governance.
The results
Since implementation, the service has delivered clear, measurable value.
Reed Talent Solutions now manages 82 specialist procurement projects a year, with direct awards typically enabled in two-to-five days and competitive procurements completed within ten days.
Supplier onboarding has been streamlined to typically two days, with every supplier vetted in line with industry and client requirements and subject to annual compliance review.
Throughout, the organisation has maintained full visibility and control of its external resource spend, thanks to the integrated workforce and SPM model.
What's next
By combining specialist expertise, a scalable delivery model, and a clear focus on governance and outcomes, Reed Talent Solutions helps this organisation access the expertise it needs, exactly when it needs it, without losing sight of compliance or cost control.
Building on this success, Reed Talent Solutions is now working with the organisation to explore further supply management opportunities, including learning and development services and other tail-spend categories, extending visibility, control, and value even further across the external supply chain.
If you're looking to improve procurement outcomes, gain stronger visibility and control across your contracts, and access specialist expertise without compromising on governance, get in touch with Reed Talent Solutions to find out what's next for your organisation.
