What it is
Develop builds the internal capability that keeps procurement value growing after an engagement ends. The philosophy is simple: build capability rather than dependence. An advisory firm that leaves a client unable to sustain its results has not done the job. S2V aims to leave every organization stronger than it found it.
The capability runs through S2V Academy, a structured curriculum delivered on live client work. Participants do not learn negotiation from a textbook case and then return to their desks. They prepare for and conduct their own upcoming negotiations, build strategies for their own categories and present their own business cases, with S2V advisors coaching them through each step.
The four Academy levels give each role a clear path. Procurement Foundations establishes the core disciplines of sourcing, contracting, supplier management and spend analysis. Strategic Procurement builds category strategy, market analysis and structured sourcing. Commercial Leadership develops complex negotiation, stakeholder influence and value creation across the business. Procurement Executive prepares leaders to run the function, shape the operating model and communicate value to the executive team and board.
For deeper development, the S2V Procurement Residency is a program format in which a cohort spends several weeks working live categories and initiatives, with structured coaching and review at each stage.
Develop runs alongside the other capabilities rather than after them. Skills are built during Assess, Advise and Execute, so the team that will own the results is involved in creating them.
When organizations need it
- A procurement team capability gap. The team handles transactions well but struggles with strategic sourcing, complex negotiations or category strategy.
- Transformation underway. A new operating model asks people to work in new ways, and they need the skills to do it.
- Rapid growth. New hires and expanding responsibilities require a common method and shared standards.
- A new procurement leader. Leadership wants to raise the team’s level quickly and consistently.
- Heavy reliance on outside help. The organization wants to bring more capability in-house over time.
- AI tools arriving. Teams need practical guidance on how to use AI responsibly in their daily work.
How it works
- Baseline capability. Assess current skills, roles and gaps against what the operating model requires, often as part of the S2V Compass.
- Design the program. Map each role to the right Academy level: Procurement Foundations, Strategic Procurement, Commercial Leadership or Procurement Executive.
- Attach learning to live work. Select real categories, renewals and initiatives from the Blueprint so every module produces useful output as well as skills.
- Deliver and coach. Combine structured sessions with live-project coaching, negotiation preparation and one-to-one mentoring for leaders.
- Run a Residency where it fits. For deeper development, a cohort works live categories and initiatives over multiple weeks alongside S2V advisors.
- Measure progress. Track capability development alongside value delivered, and feed results into S2V Pulse for ongoing review.
Where AI and data fit
AI enablement is part of the curriculum at every level. Participants learn how to use AI for spend analysis, supplier research, RFx drafting, bid comparison and negotiation preparation, and just as importantly, how to check its work. The emphasis is on judgment: knowing when output is reliable, when it depends on data that may be incomplete and when a human decision is required.
The same data discipline S2V applies in its own work is taught to client teams. AI is only as useful as the data beneath it, so participants learn why supplier identifiers, contract links and consistent categories matter, and how to recognize when the data is not ready to support a conclusion.
Outcomes we target
- Stronger commercial skills — teams that can prepare for and lead complex negotiations with confidence.
- Category strategies owned in-house — plans built and maintained by your own people.
- Leaders who drive the agenda — procurement leaders equipped to influence executives and the business.
- Responsible AI use — teams that use AI productively and know how to review what it produces.
- Reduced dependence on outside support — capability that stays when the engagement ends.
- Results delivered while learning — training that produces value on live work as skills are built.
Every result is tracked to realized value — measured in invoices and operating performance, not negotiated estimates.
What you receive
- Capability baseline and development plan
- S2V Academy curriculum tailored to your team
- Training applied to live categories and negotiations
- Coaching and mentoring for key leaders
- Playbooks and templates your team keeps
Frequently asked questions
How is S2V Academy different from a standard procurement course?
It is taught on your own work. Instead of generic case studies, participants apply each concept to live categories, renewals and negotiations inside your organization. The learning produces real outcomes as it happens, and the skills stay with your team.
What are the four Academy levels?
Procurement Foundations covers the core disciplines. Strategic Procurement covers category strategy, sourcing and supplier management. Commercial Leadership covers complex negotiation, stakeholder influence and value creation. Procurement Executive covers operating-model leadership, transformation and executive communication.
What is the S2V Procurement Residency?
A program format in which a cohort works on live categories and initiatives over several weeks with S2V advisors. Participants learn by delivering real work, with structured coaching and review at each stage.
How do you measure whether training worked?
By what changes in the work. We baseline capability at the start, then track progress on live categories, negotiations and initiatives, alongside the value those efforts deliver. Results are reviewed with leadership, often as part of S2V Pulse.
Can training be combined with an execution engagement?
Yes, and that is how it works best. Pairing Develop with Execute means your team learns while initiatives are delivered, so capability is built at the same time value is captured.