The Lean Team

Colin R McIntyre, MBA, FCIPS (Chartered), BA (hons)
Founder & Tutor

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.

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.

Ravi Nishant MBA, IISCM, IIPM, CII
Tutor and Content Developer

With a strong foundation in logistics and price forecasting, Ravi specialises in sustainable procurement and supply chain optimisation. His recent work includes reducing procurement costs by 20% through strategic supplier consolidation—streamlining operations while strengthening sustainability.

Ravi is passionate about sharing his extensive knowledge and, as part of Lean Procurement Asia, leads procurement training with a focus on real-world application. He connects learners to practical industry challenges, helping them succeed across the diverse and fast-evolving Asian market.

Newton Vambe FCIPS, MBA, MSc, BCom
Tutor

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. 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.

Maria McIntyre
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.

Dimitra Koutsochera, MSc, FCIPS (Chartered)
Quality and System Assurance and Project Control

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 process improvement across the full supply chain—from demand forecasting and supplier negotiations to customer service delivery.

Holding the MCIPS designation and a Level 5 Diploma in Supply Chain Operations, Dimitra is also PRINCE2 Foundation certified, ILM Level 3 accredited, and trained in Lean Six Sigma methodologies. 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.

Helen Campbell, DipT
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.

Ataf Farhan, MBA, BBA
Procurement Administrator Developer

Ataf plays a key role in ensuring our students feel fully supported throughout their CIPS journey. From assisting with onboarding and examination bookings to day-to-day learning support, he is often one of the first points of contact for learners—and one of the most reliable.

With academic foundations in business and an active commitment to professional development through CIPS Level 4, Ataf also brings a strong focus on system improvement. He contributes to the development of our Learning Management System and plays a vital part in refining business operations across CRM, finance applications, and internal processes.

Ataf’s combination of technical know-how, learner focus, and proactive problem-solving makes him an integral part of Lean Procurement’s mission to deliver a smooth and empowering learning experience.