As a procurement professional, you will be concerned about sourcing products and items at an affordable cost without compromising quality.
You may also be looking for ways to boost the efficiency of the procurement process so that you can help your organisation save.
Thankfully, there are simple and often overlooked ways to enhance procurement efficiency.
Foster better relationships with suppliers
To ensure seamless delivery, you need to invest time and effort in building better relationships with your suppliers.
Learn as much as you can about each supplier so that you can figure out their strengths and weaknesses.
Once you understand supplier behaviour, it will be easier for you to deal with the supplier.
Also, make sure that you pay your supplier invoices on time and voice your appreciation when they guarantee timely delivery.
Build relationships with internal stakeholders
Get internal stakeholders on board so that they get to know you and the role you play in the procurement process.
It is a good idea to consult them and get their ideas and views when you intend to source goods.
That way, they will also have a vested interest and will work with you to ensure that the procurement process goes off smoothly.
Getting to know internal stakeholders helps to build trust and ensure a smoother workflow and better efficiency.
Expand your network
Do not be content with what you have and know – instead, look to enhance your knowledge related to your field and also grow your network.
This will help you get access to new ideas that could play a role in streamlining the procurement process.
Use analysis and data to your advantage
One of the best ways to ensure procurement efficiency is by managing and analysing data.
This will enable you to see where you are overspending and investing too much time or which supplier is the best fit for your needs.
Studying the data will help you negotiate with vendors and get the best rates and materials for your organisation while streamlining the procurement process.