MEET SIMON GREENAWAY - ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF PROCUREMENT AT LAND & WATER GROUP

Simon is an integral part of the Land & Water team, starting his journey with us back in 2009, he spent seven successful years here before exploring other opportunities with Tier 1 contractors Balfour Beatty and Wates Group. However, the call of Land & Water was strong, and in July of last year, Simon returned to the business to lead a cultural shift in how the Procurement and Supply Chain is managed. In total, Simon is now in his eighth year with the company.

Simon's career started in the IT Sector, after which he had a successful seven years as a buyer with a leading construction firm which helped him decide to pursue a long-term career in the construction and civils industry. Simon says: “Procurement plays to my strengths - I am a people person. Communication, relationship building, and finding a way to influence is key to a successful career in this sector.”

A day in Simon's life as the Associate Director of Procurement is dynamic and diverse. His top priority is always checking in on his team, ensuring their well-being, and addressing any issues they may have. From face-to-face meetings with strategic partners, to resolving service and performance issues, and spending time at the offices of our supply chain, Simon's role is multifaceted. He frequently collaborates with other business heads within Land & Water to feed into wider conversations. He tells us that carving out time for reflection and strategic thinking away from the laptop is crucial for him to stay focused and maintain a big-picture perspective.

When asked about what he enjoys most at work, Simon's answer embodies Land & Water's values - it's working with his team. He says: “It has been a pleasure getting to know my team of Buyers as well as their drives and ambitions, and it continues to be a pleasure to work with them. We are a close-knit team that is comfortable in bouncing around ideas and everyone has an equal voice. My team is dedicated, and hardworking and their support is critical in all I do.”

For aspiring procurement professionals in the civil engineering industry, Simon's advice is to “find a mentor and learn from them. In my experience, you can't teach people to become good P&SC professionals. Success is rooted in the ability to communicate well, see the bigger picture, use data, build, and maintain relationships. You must be curious and have the ability to plan well. The relationship management element is the most important but the most difficult bit to get right - if you can get the relationship correct everything else will fall into place.”

Simon Greenaway's dedication to his role, his passion for procurement, and his commitment to nurturing a cohesive team make him an invaluable asset to Land & Water. We're proud to have him as our Associate Director of Procurement and look forward to the continued success he brings to the teams he works within.