In this episode, Martin Smith interviews Ben Paynter, Procurement Director of Burberry, about his journey into procurement and the challenges and opportunities in the industry.  Ben shares his transition from sales to procurement and his passion for bringing non-procurement professionals into the field. He discusses the unique challenges of procurement in the retail sector and the need for skill sets related to ESG and CSR.  Ben emphasises the importance of competency assessment in hiring and providing comprehensive feedback to candidates. He also addresses the war on talent in procurement and the need for more investment and awareness in the profession. This episode of Talent Talks covers:  Transitioning from sales to procurement offers new opportunities and a different perspective on negotiation and value creation.The retail sector presents unique challenges in procurement, including the need for agility and the close link to a dynamic marketplace.The industry faces challenges in finding and developing procurement talent, including the lack of investment in training and the focus on specific skill sets.Competency assessment and comprehensive feedback are essential in hiring and developing procurement professionals.Companies and individuals in the procurement field should work together to elevate the profession and create more awareness and opportunities.