From Career Changer to
Job-Ready Procurement Professional
in 12 Weeks

No. ValorWood is specifically designed for career switchers with zero procurement experience. Our program assumes you're starting from scratch and builds your capabilities from the ground up.

What we do require:

• Professional work experience in any field (helps with judgment and stakeholder management)
• Serious commitment to the 12-week program
• Willingness to learn and complete assignments

Most successful Fellows come from marketing, operations, finance, project management, or are immigrants with non-transferable credentials.

ValorWood is practical, not theoretical. Here's the key difference:

Certifications (CIPS, CPM, CPSM):

• Test knowledge through exams
• Focus on theory and frameworks
• Don't prove you can actually do the work
• Take 12-18 months to complete

ValorWood:

• You build real deliverables (category strategies, scorecards, award memos)
• Focus on how procurement actually works in organizations
• Graduate with a portfolio hiring managers can review
• Complete in 12 weeks

Think of it this way: Certifications tell employers you studied procurement. ValorWood shows employers you can do procurement.

Note: You can pursue certifications later. Many Fellows do both—ValorWood first to get hired, then certifications for career advancement.

6-8 hours per week on average:

• Live sessions: 4.5 hours per month (one Saturday + Sunday, 2x per month)
• Homework/assignments: 3-5 hours per week between sessions
• Portfolio work: Additional 2-3 hours in certain weeks

Schedule flexibility: Live sessions are scheduled on weekends to accommodate working professionals. All sessions are recorded if you can't attend live.

Peak weeks: Weeks 6 and 12 require slightly more time (8-10 hours) for capstone deliverables.

April 2026 (exact date announced to enrolled Fellows)

Timeline:

• Now - March 31: Applications open, rolling admissions
• Late March: Pre-program materials sent to enrolled Fellows
• Early April: Cohort 1 kick-off (Week 1, Session 1)
• Late June: Graduation (Week 12 completion)

Limited seats: We cap cohorts at 15-20 Fellows for personalized mentoring. Apply early to secure your spot.

Yes, completely online. You can participate from anywhere in the U.S. or Canada (or internationally).

Technology requirements:

• Computer with internet connection
• Zoom for live sessions
• Microsoft Word or Google Docs
• Spreadsheet software (Excel or Google Sheets)

No special software or licenses required—everything is accessible with standard tools.

Week-by-week breakdown:

Foundation (Weeks 1-3):

• Strategic sourcing fundamentals
• Spend analysis and category segmentation
• Stakeholder management and business requirements

Core Skills (Weeks 4-8):

• RFx development (RFI, RFP, RFQ)
• Supplier evaluation and scoring
• Negotiation frameworks and tactics
• Contract fundamentals and risk management
• Cost analysis and should-cost modeling

Advanced Topics (Weeks 9-10):

• Category strategy development
• Supplier relationship management
• Performance metrics and KPIs

Career Launch (Weeks 11-12):

• Cross-industry translation (how to pivot sectors)
• Job search strategy and interview prep
• Portfolio presentation and resume optimization

Your complete procurement toolkit includes:

Strategic Planning (7 templates):

• Spend analysis workbook, Category segmentation matrix, Stakeholder mapping tool, Market research framework, SWOT analysis template, Sourcing strategy canvas, Category plan outline

Sourcing & RFx (8 templates):

• RFI, RFP, RFQ templates, SOW (Statement of Work), Evaluation criteria scorecard, Supplier questionnaire, Bid comparison matrix, Award recommendation memo

Supplier Management (6 templates):

• Supplier performance scorecard, QBR (Quarterly Business Review) deck, Risk assessment matrix, Supplier onboarding checklist, SLA tracking tool, Supplier segmentation model

Contracts & Negotiation (5 templates):

• Contract summary template, Negotiation planning worksheet, Should-cost analysis model, Price benchmarking tracker, Savings calculation tool

Career Tools (7 templates):

• Procurement resume, Interview prep worksheet, Portfolio presentation outline, Industry translation guide, Target industry research, 90-day job search plan, LinkedIn optimization checklist

All templates are: Customizable, Microsoft Office & Google compatible, Professionally formatted, Based on real procurement workflows

Yes, lifetime access to everything:

• All 33 templates (yours to use forever)
• Your completed portfolio pieces
• Session recordings
• Course materials and frameworks
• Access to future template updates

You can use these materials throughout your procurement career—in job interviews, on the job, and as you advance.

Ola Sanni, Founder & Lead Instructor

Background:

• 18+ years of procurement experience
• Worked across technology, real estate, construction, and enterprise services
• Successfully transitioned into procurement from another career (understands your challenges firsthand)
• Led sourcing for complex, regulated, multi-industry environments

Teaching approach: Mentoring-led, not lecture-based. Ola brings real-world scenarios, challenges you've actually encountered in organizations, and teaches you how procurement professionals make defensible decisions under scrutiny.

This isn't academic theory—it's how procurement actually works in practice.

All sessions are recorded. You'll have access within 24 hours of each live session.

However: Live participation is strongly encouraged because:

• You can ask questions in real-time
• Case discussions are more impactful when interactive
• Peer learning happens during live sessions
• You get immediate feedback on your work

Our recommendation: Attend live whenever possible. Use recordings as backup or for review, not as your primary learning method.

Note: Sessions are scheduled on weekends (Saturday + Sunday, 2x per month) specifically to accommodate working professionals.

Significant personal attention:

• Small cohorts: 15-20 Fellows maximum (not 100+ students)
• Live Q&A: Every session includes dedicated time for your questions
• Portfolio reviews: Personalized feedback on your category strategy, scorecards, and memos
• Resume review: One-on-one optimization of your procurement resume
• Interview prep: Practice sessions and feedback
• Email support: Between sessions for clarifications

Why we keep cohorts small: You're not just a number. We invest in your success individually.

Yes. Peer learning is a key component:

• Cohort community: Private group for your cohort (Slack or similar)
• Group exercises: Case discussions and peer review during sessions
• Networking: Build relationships with other career switchers
• Post-program: Alumni network for ongoing support

Many Fellows find jobs through referrals from cohort peers. Your network starts here.

ValorWood makes you job-ready. We don't guarantee job placement.

What we provide:

• Job-ready skills: You'll know how to actually do procurement work
• Tangible portfolio: Hiring managers can see your capabilities
• Procurement resume: Optimized for applicant tracking systems
• Interview prep: Practice with procurement-specific questions
• 3 months post-program support: Continued guidance during your job search

What we don't do: We're not a recruiting agency. We don't place you in jobs or guarantee offers.

Realistic expectations: Most career switchers land procurement roles within 3-6 months post-graduation. Speed depends on your location, effort, and market conditions.

Entry to mid-level procurement roles:

Entry-level (most common for career switchers):

• Procurement Analyst
• Sourcing Coordinator
• Buyer (Junior/Intermediate)
• Category Analyst
• Procurement Specialist

Mid-level (if you have transferable experience):

• Sourcing Manager
• Category Manager
• Strategic Buyer
• Supplier Relationship Manager

Salary ranges (North America):

• Entry-level: $50K-$70K CAD / $45K-$60K USD
• Mid-level: $70K-$95K CAD / $60K-$80K USD
• Senior (2-3 years experience): $95K-$120K+ CAD / $80K-$100K+ USD

Yes. Procurement skills are 80% transferable across industries.

Week 11 specifically covers:

• How to translate your skills to any industry
• Industry-specific nuances (healthcare vs. tech vs. finance vs. manufacturing)
• How to research a new industry quickly
• Interview strategies for industry outsiders

Examples: Fellows can start in retail procurement, then move to technology. Or start in healthcare, then move to construction. The core skills remain the same—only the category knowledge changes.

Procurement is one of the most portable careers. You're never locked into one sector.

Continued support as you job search:

• Resume updates: Revisions as you apply to specific roles
• Cover letter feedback: Tailoring your applications
• Interview prep: Practice for specific companies/roles
• Offer evaluation: Help assessing job offers and compensation
• Email support: Questions as they arise during your search

Duration: 3 months from program completion (Week 12 graduation through Month 3)

Our goal is to support you until you land your first procurement role.

Consider the ROI:

Investment: $3,500 for 12 weeks

Return:

• Entry-level procurement salary: $50K-$70K/year
• Payback period: ~3-4 weeks of work in your new role
• Lifetime career value: $2M-$3M+ over 30-year career

What you're getting:

• 27 hours of live instruction (mentoring-led, not self-paced videos)
• 33 professional templates (reusable throughout career)
• Personalized portfolio reviews and feedback
• Small cohort sizes (15-20 max, not 100+)
• 3 months post-program career support
• Lifetime access to materials

Compared to alternatives:

• University procurement certificate: $8K-$40K, takes 2-4 years
• CIPS certification: $2.5K+, 18 months, no portfolio
• Self-study: Free but no structure, feedback, or credibility

ValorWood is the fastest, most practical path to a procurement career.

Yes. We offer a 4-month payment plan:

Payment Plan (CAD $4,500 / USD $3,265):

• $1,200 deposit (at enrollment)
• $1,200 at Week 1
• $1,200 at Week 5
• $900 at Week 9

All program benefits included (same access as full payment)

Note: Payment plan total is $4,500 (vs. $3,500 pay-in-full) to account for administrative overhead.

Yes. Pricing is available in both CAD and USD:

Pay in Full:

• CAD $3,500
• USD $2,540

Payment Plan:

• CAD $4,500
• USD $3,265

Exchange rate: Based on 1 CAD = 0.726 USD (approximate). Final USD pricing confirmed at enrollment.

Payment methods:

• Canadian students: Interac e-Transfer (free!) or credit/debit card
• USA students: Credit/debit card via secure payment processor

Currently, no formal scholarships.

However, we offer:

• Payment plans: Spread cost over 4 months
• Early bird pricing: Occasional discounts for early enrollees

Future plans: We're exploring scholarship opportunities for future cohorts, particularly for underrepresented groups in procurement.

If cost is a barrier, reach out to us at [email protected] to discuss options.

Risk-Free Guarantee:

Full refund available: If you withdraw before the end of Week 2, you'll receive a complete refund—no questions asked.

After Week 2: No refunds (materials and mentoring have been delivered)

Why Week 2? This gives you two full weekend sessions to experience the program, review materials, and decide if it's right for you.

How to request: Email [email protected] before the Week 2 deadline. Refunds processed within 5 business days.

We're confident you'll find value, but we want you to feel secure in your investment.

Yes, the program is online and accessible globally.

However, keep in mind:

• Content focus: Designed for U.S. and Canadian procurement practices
• Job market: Career support targets North American hiring
• Time zones: Live sessions scheduled for North American time zones (recordings available)
• Templates: Based on North American business norms

Good fit if: You plan to work in the U.S./Canada or for North American companies

Less ideal if: You're targeting procurement roles exclusively in Europe, Asia, or other regions with different practices

No formal degree required for ValorWood.

What we look for:

• Professional work experience (any field)
• Strong communication skills
• Analytical thinking ability
• Commitment to completing the program

However, for jobs: Many procurement roles prefer a bachelor's degree (any field). Some employers are flexible if you have strong experience.

ValorWood focuses on capability, not credentials. Your portfolio proves what you can do.

You're welcome! Many successful Fellows are ESL speakers.

Requirements:

• Comfortable reading and writing professional English
• Able to participate in discussions (speaking and listening)
• Can complete written assignments (we provide templates and examples)

Support available:

• Session recordings (can replay for comprehension)
• Written materials for reference
• Templates reduce need for perfect writing

Realistic assessment: If you can read this FAQ comfortably, your English is likely sufficient.

Yes. ValorWood is designed for working professionals.

Schedule accommodations:

• Live sessions: Weekends only (Saturday + Sunday, 2x per month)
• Homework: Flexible—complete between sessions at your pace
• Recordings: Available if you miss a live session due to work

Time management: 6-8 hours/week is manageable alongside full-time work. Most Fellows complete homework in evenings or weekends.

Over 80% of our Fellows work full-time while enrolled.

Simple 3-step process:

Step 1: Submit Application

• Click "Start Your Application" on this website
• Fill out short form (5 minutes)
• Tell us about your background and goals

Step 2: Application Review

• We review within 2 business days
• Email you with decision

Step 3: Discovery Call (if accepted)

• 30-minute call to discuss fit, expectations, and answer your questions
• Not a hard interview—just ensuring alignment

Step 4: Enrollment

• Receive payment instructions and enrollment details
• Submit payment to secure your seat

We assess for fit, not credentials:

Key qualities:

• Serious intent: You're committed to transitioning into procurement
• Professional maturity: Work experience (any field) demonstrates stakeholder management capability
• Coachability: Willingness to learn and apply feedback
• Realistic expectations: You understand this is training, not instant job placement

We're NOT looking for:

• Prior procurement experience (we teach from zero)
• Specific degrees or certifications
• Perfect English or academic background

ValorWood is for serious career switchers ready to invest in themselves.

Within 2 business days.

Timeline:

• Day 0: You submit application
• Day 1-2: We review and respond via email
• Day 3-7: Discovery call scheduled (if accepted)
• Day 7-10: Enrollment decision made, payment instructions sent

Check your spam folder if you don't see our email within 2 business days.

We'll provide honest feedback.

Common reasons for declining:

• Insufficient professional work experience (we recommend gaining 2-3 years first)
• Misaligned expectations (looking for guaranteed job placement vs. training)
• Timing (unable to commit to 12-week schedule)

What happens:

• We'll explain why it's not the right fit
• Suggest what to work on before reapplying
• Invite you to apply for future cohorts if circumstances change

We only accept Fellows we believe can succeed. It's better to be honest upfront.