What are purchasing key figures?

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Purchasing KPIs are quantitative metrics that are used to evaluate and manage procurement activities in companies. They record important aspects such as costs, quality, delivery times and the efficiency of processes. These key figures enable companies to objectively evaluate their purchasing performance and make fact-based decisions.

Key purchasing figures in the chemical industry

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Key purchasing figures play a particularly critical role in the chemical industry, as they monitor not only economic aspects but also safety and quality standards. Key performance indicators include the purity levels of purchased raw materials, supplier qualifications for hazardous substances and supplier certification. The price volatility of chemical raw materials is continuously monitored using special price indices and cost indicators, which is essential for the negotiation of framework agreements and strategic planning. Sustainability indicators such as suppliers' CO2 footprints and their recycling rates are also becoming increasingly important. Particular attention is paid to inventory management indicators, as many chemicals require special storage conditions and often have a limited shelf life. Delivery reliability is monitored particularly closely in the chemical industry, as production interruptions due to a lack of raw materials can result in enormous costs. Key purchasing figures in the chemical industry are therefore not only tools for cost control, but also essential instruments for risk management and quality assurance. The systematic recording and evaluation of these key figures enables chemical companies to optimize their procurement processes and at the same time meet the high safety and quality requirements of the industry.

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Key purchasing figures in the pharmaceutical industry

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In the pharmaceutical industry, purchasing metrics play a fundamental role as they are directly linked to patient safety and regulatory compliance. The most important KPIs focus on the qualification of active ingredient suppliers, with GMP certifications and audit results serving as key indicators. To ensure security of supply, dual sourcing quotas and geographical supplier distribution are used as strategic indicators. Stability data and shelf life analyses of purchased substances, which must be continuously documented, are also particularly relevant. The time-to-market of new drugs is significantly influenced by procurement times, which is why lead times and delivery flexibility are considered critical performance indicators. Temperature deviations during transportation and compliance with the cold chain are monitored using special supply chain KPIs. The costs for quality controls and official approvals are included in the total cost of ownership. Due to the strict FDA and EMA regulations, complete documentation and traceability of purchasing KPIs are essential in the pharmaceutical industry, which requires special tracking systems and audit trails. The integration of these key figures into the quality management system enables pharmaceutical companies to achieve both economic goals and meet the strict requirements for drug safety.

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Key purchasing figures in the food industry

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In the mechanical engineering industry, purchasing indicators are primarily used to optimize complex supply chains and ensure technical quality standards. Suppliers' adherence to delivery dates is monitored particularly closely, as late components can delay the entire production process. A central focus is on technical quality indicators such as dimensional accuracy, material strength and surface quality of the purchased parts. The degree of standardization of the range of parts and the number of variants per component group are used as strategic KPIs to reduce complexity. Production capacities and technical equipment play an important role in supplier selection, which is why these parameters are regularly recorded and evaluated. Make-or-buy decisions are supported by detailed cost indicators that take into account both material costs and processing times. The supply of spare parts is controlled by special availability indicators to ensure long product life cycles. The systematic recording and evaluation of these industry-specific key figures enables mechanical engineering companies to strengthen their competitiveness through efficient procurement processes while at the same time meeting the high technical requirements.

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