Procurement is rapidly evolving from a back-office function to a strategic powerhouse that shapes corporate resilience and innovation. At the forefront of this transformation is Marijn Overvest, a passionate entrepreneur, educator and the visionary behind Procurement Tactics—a fast-growing online academy built to empower procurement professionals across the globe.

With over a decade of experience in the procurement field, Marijn saw the immense potential of elevating procurement’s role within organizations. His platform, Procurement Tactics, delivers real-world training and certifications designed for professionals ranging from small business buyers to global Fortune 500 teams. From negotiation mastery to AI integration, Marijn’s mission is to redefine procurement as a value-driving and respected discipline.

In this exclusive interview, we sit down with Marijn to discuss the journey behind Procurement Tactics, the strategies fueling its success and what the future holds for procurement professionals in a tech-driven, decentralised world.

TFS: Marijn, thank you for joining us today! It’s inspiring to see how Procurement Tactics is reshaping the procurement education space. Let’s begin at the roots.

You’ve built one of the fastest-growing online academies in procurement. What was the initial spark that led to the founding of Procurement Tactics?

Marijn Overvest: Thank you! The spark for Procurement Tactics came during my own years working in procurement. I repeatedly saw how underappreciated the function was inside many organizations. People often perceived procurement as a cost-saving department and nothing more, overlooking the strategic contributions procurement teams can make.

Procurement professionals negotiate contracts, mitigate risk, ensure compliance and even drive sustainability—yet their work wasn’t being recognised at the level it deserved. That realisation stayed with me.

I also had a long-standing passion for education. I wanted to share what I knew with those entering the field and support those already in it to feel proud and capable. Procurement can be a deeply fulfilling career if it’s properly understood and respected. Procurement Tactics was born out of that dual motivation—to shift perception and build a strong community.

TFS: Your platform serves a wide range of professionals—from small business buyers to Fortune 500 procurement teams. How do you design your courses to stay relevant across such diverse needs?

Marijn Overvest: Relevance across such a broad audience requires flexibility in content and clarity in delivery. We begin every course by identifying core challenges that both beginners and veterans face in procurement today. From supplier management to AI adoption, we break each topic down into modules that cater to different skill levels.

Our materials are layered: newcomers get foundational knowledge, while seasoned pros can dive deeper into advanced applications. We also update our content regularly to reflect industry trends and real-time disruptions. This way, our learners stay equipped to adapt and evolve.

We also collect regular feedback from our users, which allows us to fine-tune the learning experience to meet the diverse needs of individuals and teams across industries.

TFS: Many of your courses follow the “show-do-tell-apply” method. Can you explain how this learning model enhances procurement capabilities in real-world scenarios?

Marijn Overvest: Absolutely. Traditional learning often stops at theory, but procurement is highly practical. Our “show-do-tell-apply” model ensures that learners don’t just understand the concepts—they know how to use them.

First, we TELL students what a concept is, explaining the background, key elements and its relevance. Next, we SHOW them how it works through real-world examples and visual aids like infographics and walkthroughs. Then, we ask them to DO it themselves through hands-on exercises, case studies or mock scenarios.

Finally, we help them APPLY what they learned using downloadable templates and real-life procurement situations. This iterative process builds confidence and skill simultaneously. It’s about giving learners the tools and the practice they need to succeed in the real world.

TFS: Negotiation remains a core module in your curriculum. In your view, what’s the most underestimated negotiation tactic that can shift outcomes significantly?

Marijn Overvest: The most underestimated tactic is what I call Empathic Negotiation Design. Most people go into negotiations focused on their own goals, but real breakthroughs happen when you first understand the other party’s deeper needs.

As a procurement manager, I once worked with a supplier who recognized that a tight deadline I mentioned was linked to a high-stakes CEO directive. They realigned their logistics to meet that and that empathy-based flexibility won them the contract. It wasn’t about lowering prices; it was about aligning to our priorities.

That’s what I encourage in our negotiation training: dig beneath the surface. Ask yourself, what’s driving this requirement for them? Once you understand both the business and personal stakes, you can craft agreements that deliver real value to both sides.

TFS: How has cultural context influenced negotiation styles and how do your courses incorporate these cultural dynamics?

Marijn Overvest: Culture plays a huge role in negotiation dynamics. I come from the Netherlands, where we tend to be direct and to the point. That works in some contexts, but in many Eastern or Southern cultures, where relationships and subtleties matter more, that style can come off as abrupt.

Our course on “Cultural Impact on Negotiations” helps professionals recognize these differences. We teach frameworks like the Lewis Model and Hofstede’s Dimensions to give learners a reference for understanding communication preferences across regions. We also offer practical guidance on adapting behavior—like pacing, tone and even silence—to suit the context.

Cultural awareness isn’t just about avoiding mistakes; it’s about building stronger, trust-based relationships globally.

TFS: Your course on ‘Artificial Intelligence in Procurement’ is one of the most talked-about. How do you envision generative AI transforming procurement roles in the next five years?

Marijn Overvest: We’re in the middle of a fundamental shift. Initially, AI was seen as a helpful assistant—great for emails or quick calculations. But now it’s becoming a strategic enabler, automating entire workflows like supplier performance analysis, contract lifecycle management and predictive demand planning.

The next phase is not just adoption but adaptation. Many teams have implemented AI tools, but they’re struggling with proper integration, data quality and change management. That’s the gap we address in our AI course.

I believe AI will augment procurement professionals, not replace them. Those who thrive will be the ones who proactively learn how to collaborate with AI—understanding its strengths, mitigating its limitations and focusing on strategy, relationships and innovation.

TFS: Procurement Tactics emphasizes Sustainable Procurement. What advice would you give to companies looking to align their supply chains with ESG goals while staying competitive?

Marijn Overvest: Start with transparency. Too often, companies adopt sustainability goals without really knowing their suppliers’ practices. Conduct thorough supplier audits, request certifications and assess long-term alignment.

From there, build partnerships. Sustainability isn’t achieved in one contract cycle. It requires consistent efforts and shared commitment. Choose suppliers who are as invested in ESG outcomes as you are.

Also, don’t frame sustainability as a trade-off against competitiveness. In many cases, sustainable suppliers deliver better long-term value due to lower risk, better compliance and stronger reputations.

TFS: Your courses cover both technical subjects, like Spend Analysis and soft skills like Gen Z Management. How do you balance technical rigor with human-centric leadership in your curriculum?

Marijn Overvest: We see procurement as both an analytical and human discipline. That’s why we integrate soft skills like communication, team management and intergenerational leadership into our core offerings.

Our technical modules use simulations and data dashboards to build hard skills, while the leadership ones include real-world scenarios and reflective exercises. It’s all about equipping learners to be well-rounded leaders who can interpret complex data and navigate human dynamics.

TFS: The Mini-MBA in Procurement is a standout offering. How does this program compare to a traditional business degree when it comes to immediate workplace impact?

Marijn Overvest: The Mini-MBA is designed for action. Unlike traditional MBAs that take years and often stay theoretical, our program zeroes in on what procurement leaders actually need—financial fluency, strategic alignment, stakeholder management and negotiation mastery.

We provide playbooks, frameworks and practical exercises that learners can apply right away in their current roles. Many of our students report career acceleration within weeks of completing the program. It’s built for immediate transformation.

TFS: With the rise of risk and disruption, how are you training professionals to adopt proactive Risk Management strategies in procurement?

Marijn Overvest: We start by teaching the fundamentals: risk identification, classification and mitigation frameworks. But we go further, diving into current risk trends—cybersecurity, geopolitical shifts, ESG volatility—and how to build adaptive procurement systems.

Our courses also include templates for risk matrices, early warning dashboards and response protocols. We want learners to think like scenario planners, always prepared for what might come next.

TFS: Supplier Relationship Management has evolved beyond transactional partnerships. How do your training modules address supplier collaboration, innovation and shared value creation?

Marijn Overvest: Modern SRM is about co-creation. We teach learners how to move from managing contracts to fostering innovation ecosystems with their suppliers. That includes joint KPI development, collaborative forecasting and innovation-sharing workshops.

We also cover behavioral skills—how to build trust, resolve conflict and maintain alignment through growth or disruption. Long-term success comes from shared vision, not just signed agreements.

TFS: You run a dedicated community around AI in Procurement. What recurring themes or challenges do members frequently bring up in these discussions?

Marijn Overvest: Most conversations center around ethical use, integration issues and prompt optimization. People want to know how to get the most from tools like ChatGPT while ensuring compliance and accuracy.

We help by offering best practices, regular demos and even prompt engineering templates. And yes, I often invite people to reach out via LinkedIn for personalized guidance. We’re building a hands-on, collaborative space.

TFS: As the procurement landscape becomes increasingly digital and decentralized, how should procurement leaders adapt their Category Management strategies?

Marijn Overvest: The key is tech-enabled coordination. Decentralization doesn’t mean chaos if you have the right platform. Leaders should centralize category strategies, KPIs and playbooks in tools accessible to all local teams.

We recommend digital dashboards and centralized collaboration tools that allow real-time updates and visibility. That way, you keep strategic alignment without micromanaging execution.

TFS: Your weekly webinars and newsletters reach over 50,000 professionals. What recent insight or trend in procurement has sparked the most interest or debate?

Marijn Overvest: AI, without a doubt. Our sessions on Gen AI use cases in procurement consistently draw record numbers. The main debate is about how fast people need to adapt and what roles AI should or shouldn’t take over.

We’re helping bridge the knowledge gap so professionals feel empowered rather than intimidated. Our most shared article this year? “10 Prompts Every Procurement Pro Should Use with ChatGPT.”

TFS: Looking ahead, what’s your vision for the next evolution of Procurement Tactics? Are there new formats, technologies or global partnerships on the horizon?

Marijn Overvest: Absolutely. We’re developing new courses focused on stakeholder alignment and advanced AI implementation for procurement. We’re also forming partnerships with global procurement tech companies and thought leaders to co-create new content.

Long term, I see Procurement Tactics evolving into a global hub—where professionals learn, connect and co-create the future of procurement. My message to our community: your role matters more than ever. Let’s shape the future together.

TFS: Marijn, thank you for sharing your insights and vision. It’s clear that Procurement Tactics is not just building skills—it’s building a movement. Any final words?

Marijn Overvest: Thank you—it’s been a pleasure! My final message to procurement professionals is this: you are at the heart of change. Whether it’s sustainability, digital transformation or strategic growth, procurement is leading the charge. Own your influence, stay curious and never stop learning.

TFS: That’s a powerful close. Thank you again, Marijn. Wishing you and Procurement Tactics continued success!