Purchasing Function and External Resource Management – Book by Brice Malm, Director of the Purchasing & Supply Chain Practice

We are pleased to welcome Brice Malm, a purchasing expert and author of the book Purchasing Function and External Resource Management. Here is an interview with Brice Malm, Director of the Purchasing & Supply Chain practice at Grant Alexander, and an expert in human capital and purchasing transformation.

Q: You are well-known to the Profession Achats editorial team, but for those who don’t know you yet, can you present your background and experience in the purchasing field?
I had the chance to work as Head of Purchasing for 10 years. Afterwards, I shifted my career towards recruitment and training. I earned a doctoral thesis in 2018 on the subject of purchasing performance. All these experiences helped me develop the conviction that purchasing and external resource management constitute a competitive advantage for organizations that know how to leverage this lever.

Q: Now, let’s talk about your book, Purchasing Function and External Resource Management. Can you briefly explain what inspired it and what readers can expect?
The book was inspired by my passion for the field of purchasing and my desire to share the keys to success from the best leaders I have had the opportunity to meet. In this book, I present the A.L.I.E. method, which is based on four pillars: Ambition, Leadership, Influence, and Engagement. This method aims to help Purchasing & Supply Chain organizations define an optimal strategy for purchasing and external resource management. Readers will find practical advice, case studies, and concrete tools that have contributed to the success of top purchasing leaders. I also address new topics such as recruiting and developing skills for specialists in external resource management.

Q: Can you give a concrete example of how the A.L.I.E. method can be applied in purchasing and external resource management?
In the book, I illustrate the A.L.I.E. method with the case of the company M.I.NA., a real-life scenario many readers may relate to. In this company, the goal was to inject new energy and give meaning to the transformation of the purchasing function. The A.L.I.E. method proposes collective sessions where everyone can freely express themselves and contribute to the collective reflection. Creativity and brainstorming techniques are used to generate new ideas and innovative solutions.
Individual sessions are also organized, allowing team members to work closely with facilitators or coaches. During these sessions, participants are encouraged to identify their own motivations, values, and personal goals, and to link them to the broader objectives of the organization. This creates stronger alignment between individual motivations and collective aspirations. These sessions also allow a focus on specific personal challenges and the exploration of tailored strategies to overcome obstacles.

Q: Before concluding, do you have a final piece of advice for readers who want to improve their skills in purchasing and external resource management?
My advice would be to first ask yourself about your purchasing ambition. Then reflect on recruitment and leadership development challenges. Never forget that it is the skills of people that drive organizational success.