
Full course description
Course Description
Strong procurement and contract management depends on the effective negotiation of finance and funding. This means that you need to evaluate the capacities of contract partners, as well as their ability to meet the demands of your agreements. This course will help you build the skills to successfully navigate these areas through the use of common documents.
In this six-week online course, you will learn about commonly used accounting systems, streamlined budgeting practices and reporting practices utilized in the industry in order to increase profits through productive framing.
Objectives
- Determine the costs for each contract
- Understand how business functions financially
- How to reduce costs and improve performance in your company
Course Instructor

Brian P. Gatus
Director of Indirect Procurement at Southern California Edison
Brian P. Gatus leads the Indirect Procurement group for Southern California Edison (SCE). He is responsible for managing over $1.2B in annual spending and leading a team of professionals in delivering effective procurement (sourcing, contracts & negotiations) and category spend management solutions for SCE's indirect procurement and business enterprise supply chain.
He has a proven track record of success in leveraging spend, optimizing procurement controls, minimizing risk and improving product quality. With over 20 years of public and private sector experience, his areas of expertise include sourcing of various IT/OT hardware and software, complex contract negotiations, logistics, and execution of business process improvements.
From 2000 – 2010, he served with the Los Angeles Unified School District, the nation’s 2nd largest public school district, holding various supply chain leadership roles. He started his professional career in Southeast Asia, holding business operations roles in the construction and textile industries.
Brian is recognized by the National Contract Management Association as a Certified Professional Contracts Manager and by the Institute of Supply Management as a Certified Professional in Supply Management. He holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Loyola Marymount University and an undergraduate degree in Business Information Systems.