The Lean Team
Colin R McIntyre, MBA, FCIPS (Chartered), BA (Hons)
Founder, Tutor and CIPS Assessor
With almost two decades of experience in global supply chain management, Colin is a MCIPS-qualified lecturer and founder of Lean Procurement Ltd. He completed his MBA at Aberdeen University, where his final dissertation explored the impact of virtual learning during COVID-19 and its long-term implications. Having spent nearly seventeen years as a procurement practitioner—fourteen of which he simultaneously taught CIPS part-time—Colin launched Lean Procurement in 2016 to champion the integration of real-world practice with professional education.
Colin also serves as a CIPS Assessor, primarily marking Level 5 examinations. His work contributes to upholding academic rigour while ensuring alignment with the demands of senior procurement roles in industry.
Under his leadership, Lean Procurement has developed an international presence, delivering CIPS-accredited training across culturally diverse markets. Colin believes in the power of cross-cultural collaboration to address global supply chain challenges and is committed to fostering innovation through shared learning.
His mission is to shift perceptions of procurement from a transactional function to a strategic, inclusive force that drives organisational value worldwide. Colin’s deep industry insight and practical approach make him one of the best professionals to deliver transformative procurement education, offering clear, logical advice to promote best practice and smarter supply chain management.
Director – Lean Procurement Private Limited (India) | Operations Head & CIPS Tutor – Lean Procurement
Nishant Ravi is a procurement and supply chain professional with 16+ years of experience across manufacturing, mining, and project environments, including roles supporting Fortune 50 organisations in India. He currently serves as Director at Lean Procurement Private Limited (India) and leads operations and CIPS training delivery across international cohorts of students in the U.K., India, Middle East, and Australia.
He focuses on connecting industry practice with professional education in procurement and supply chain, helping working professionals apply structured learning directly to their workplace scenarios.
He is actively training corporate teams in the IT and retail sectors in India and supporting them in achieving CIPS certification.
In his industry roles, Nishant has led strategic sourcing and supplier development initiatives, delivering cost reductions of up to 20% while continuously expanding supplier and contractor base. He also played an active role in transitioning to SAP Hana in his previous role by managing diverse stakeholders.
His certifications include PMP® (PMI), APICS CSCP, CIPM (IIPMR), CPCM (World Bank), SAP MM, and he is currently progressing towards CIPS Level 5 through the exam route.
Tutor and CIPS Assessor
With over a decade of experience in procurement and supply chain management, I am a results-driven professional focused on optimising purchasing processes and delivering measurable cost savings. My expertise spans strategic sourcing, vendor management, and contract negotiation—refined through hands-on roles across diverse industries. Skilled in leveraging data and analytics, I identify opportunities to streamline operations and implement innovative solutions that enhance procurement performance. I have successfully led complex procurement projects from planning through to execution, always ensuring compliance and alignment with strategic objectives.
At Lean Procurement Ltd, we are proud to have Newton as our Level 5 tutor, where he brings advanced industry insight and leadership experience to support learners progressing toward senior procurement roles. Newton also serves as a CIPS Assessor, primarily marking Level 4 assessments, where he applies his deep understanding of procurement practice to uphold qualification standards. His expertise plays a vital role in shaping professionals ready to lead and influence procurement strategy.
With a passion for continuous improvement and collaborative supplier relationships, Newton helps our learners build the skills needed for long-term success.
Finance & Operations
Maria’s background has always been rooted in meticulous organisation and financial control. Before joining Lean Procurement Ltd, she worked across a variety of roles where managing finances, juggling operations, and keeping things on track were second nature. Her calm and methodical approach quickly made her the go-to person for everything from balancing budgets to sorting out the finer details others might miss.
Since becoming part of the Lean Procurement team, Maria has taken on full responsibility for the company’s financial systems and processes—overseeing invoicing, budget planning, and supplier payments, all while keeping a close eye on cash flow and forecasting. While her work happens largely behind the scenes, it plays a central role in supporting the organisation’s ability to grow sustainably.
With a preference for keeping things simple, accurate, and efficient, Maria blends operational oversight with a quiet resilience that anchors the team. She’s also the one who reminds everyone where that missing receipt is—often before they realise it’s gone.
Quality Oversight & Project Support
Dimitra is an accomplished supply chain leader with extensive expertise in quality management, operational excellence, and strategic planning. As Group Quality Director at Manutan Group, she oversees international quality systems and leads continuous improvement initiatives across the supply chain—driven by Lean methodologies, ISO standards, and a strong focus on product quality and compliance.
Holding the MCIPS designation and a Level 5 Diploma in Supply Chain Operations, Dimitra is also a certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, an ISO 9001 Internal Auditor, and holds Practitioner status from the Chartered Quality Institute. Her strengths include reducing inventory, delivering cost efficiencies, and leading operational teams of 60+ through complex transformations.
Dimitra also serves as the Branch Secretary for the CIPS Birmingham & Coventry branch and brings her quality oversight and project management skills to support Lean Procurement’s delivery. Her analytical mindset and structured approach help ensure every learner experience meets the highest standards.
Teaching Support
With three decades of secondary school teaching experience, almost twenty years as a PGDE student placement supervisor, and a mentor for newly qualified teachers, Helen is a fantastic support to Lean Procurement and our students. She continues to nurture positive partnerships with Aberdeen University and holds a wide network of contacts within the academic institutions in the region.
At Lean Procurement Ltd, our tutors benefit from Helen’s oversight—not only to ensure alignment with CIPS Centre of Excellence and Approved Centre standards, but also because of her genuine commitment to enhancing the learning experience for every student. Her feedback helps shape high-quality, learner-focused delivery across all levels.
Registration
Lean Procurement offers flexible payment plans across each CIPS level to assist those that are passionate to learning and develop their competences in procurement and supply chain management.
Course Overview
The CIPS Graduate DIploma is a challenging qualification to obtain, but the results are worth it!
Virtual Classroom
Lean Procurement Ltd has been conducting virtual learning internationally since Summer 2019, offering students the opportunity to attend live CIPS classes from the comfort of their own home.