Karen Beech
Commercial Lead - Food Category, Crown Commercial Service, Government Commercial Function @Cabinet Office
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WORK HISTORY
Commercial Lead - Food Category, Crown Commercial Service, Government Commercial Function @Cabinet Office
Role Summary: Leading the strategic development and implementation of a first-to-market, food procurement framework for public sector buyers within a high-profile, politically sensitive landscape.• Strategy Delivery: Successfully launched a £100m food procurement framework that had been stalled for over four years. Transformed outcomes by re-developing the procurement strategy, developing bespoke legal T\' & C\'s around the Public Sector Contract and negotiating a PPN 08/21 policy exemption with Ministers to ensure the framework was viable and there was market appetite from the food sector.• Supply Chain Integration: Acted as a key conduit between government policy makers, regulations, PSR2015 compliance and market reality. Influenced the Will Quince Independent Review of Government Buying Standards for Food and invited to join the Dynamic Food Procurement National Advisory Board.• Sustainability Leadership: Case study development with Net Zero Now, demonstrating a 50% carbon emission reduction potential in public sector food supply, aligning commercial goals with environmental targets.• Digital Innovation: Managed a first-time public sector supplier to implement an agile digital solution for local producers, successfully navigating government policy and compliance for cyber security risks and unlocking IT blockers through a \"one-team\" collaboration approach.
EDUCATION
Coventry University
Postgraduate Certificate , Leadership & Management
Cranfield University
World Class Manufacturing
University of Leeds
1st Class B Sc (Hons), Food Science (European)
CIPS - The Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply
MCiPS (Chartered)
SKILLS
ABOUT KAREN BEECH
A senior food industry executive, with unique experience spanning the international and domestic food supply chain: 10 years for FMCG blue chip manufacturers from food safety, technical and manufacturing perspectives and over 11 years working for UK Food retailers in Agronomy, Technical Management and Senior Category and Procurement positions. Most recently, working for Central Government, delivering a 1st-to-market National Food Framework to source high quality, regulatory-compliant food and drink, with innovative approaches for UK growers, supporting SME and Carbon Net Zero policies through the digitally-led dynamic food procurement model. With broad experience in UK grocery retail and Public Sector procurement, I am a customer and colleague focused leader, who takes a holistic and pragmatic approach based on data & innovative problem solving to develop successful strategies. A successful track record of collaborating and implementing strategic category plans which have delivered significant commercial and operational outcomes.Strategic project management, negotiation, procurement and customer insight experience as both customer and supplier, gives me powerful insight and advantage in strategy development and stakeholder management.An excellent communicator and collaborator at all levels, determined & tenacious with the ability to influence internally and externally to achieve high standards, continuous improvement and customer value – an outstanding relationship builder.An authentic leader - building high performing teams, I thrive on feedback, developing psychologically safe team culture – with pride in role-modelling high works standards and continuous personal development.A passionate “foodie”, with a creative flair - an innovative problem solver, not afraid to challenge the status quo. Key Skills Leadership ambassador Breadth and depth of food industry operational, food science and procurement experience Policy & ministerial stakeholder influence Strategic thinker - impactful delivery Stakeholder & Network engagement Collaborative and authentic leadership style Proactive approach – drives change and effective best practise implementation Excellent Interpersonal skills, with high levels of integrity and trust Building effective supply base development & sourcing strategies Delivers results - outcomes-led, stakeholder & quality focussed Highly effective & experienced negotiation skills Cross-functional & Exec team project management High Performing Team development - Training & mentoring
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