From operational to strategic purchasing in 5 steps - a guide for small and medium-sized companies
published on
11.11.2024
Purchasing plays a key role in industrial SMEs - but its potential is often not fully exploited. The majority of companies focus their purchasing on operations and neglect the strategic dimension, which can bring valuable cost savings and competitive advantages. But how do you make the transition from operational to strategic purchasing? In this guide, you will learn the five most important steps that support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) on this path.
Purchasing is one of the largest cost centers for medium-sized companies, as it accounts for an average of 50% of total costs. In times of supply bottlenecks and raw material shortages, it is becoming increasingly important not only to concentrate on day-to-day business, but also to pursue long-term strategies. These tasks fall within the remit of strategic purchasing. This department is responsible for supplier management, market analysis and product group management in order to optimize costs and secure supplies in the long term.
But what does an SME need to strategically align purchasing?
Essential elements:
1. make employees strategically fit through training
SMEs often do not have an independent strategic purchasing department. Instead, it makes sense to train existing employees in strategic topics. Content such as negotiation skills, strategic planning and the use of new tools can be taught in training courses. This investment is particularly beneficial as existing employees are already familiar with internal processes and can implement strategic tasks more quickly and efficiently.
2. make employees strategically fit through training
Product group management makes it possible to divide products into strategic business units. Combining several items into groups according to characteristics such as intended use or origin makes it easier to maintain an overview and offers potential savings. With clearly structured product group management, companies can:
Product group management is the key to cost-efficient purchasing and ensuring quality at the same time.
3. active supplier management as the basis for stable relationships
Good supplier management is more than just negotiating prices - it is relationship management. Through close communication and regular exchange, suppliers become partners who contribute to the long-term success of the company. A strategic buyer acts as the face of the company to suppliers and ensures that they are aware of the company's objectives. Stable supplier relationships pay off twice over, especially in times of crisis.
Advantages of active supplier management:
4. positioning purchasing as a central interface in the company
The purchasing department has numerous internal and external interfaces and should use these strategically. Close cooperation with production, management and other departments ensures that purchasing meets the company's objectives and actively contributes to value creation. Regular coordination and joint decision-making processes help to synchronize the purchasing strategy with the company's overall strategy.
Important measures:
5. drive digitalization in purchasing
Digitization offers enormous advantages for purchasing. Modern software solutions allow purchasing data to be analyzed faster and more reliably, which forms the basis for well-founded decisions. Digital solutions are a significant relief, especially for SMEs, which are often reliant on Excel and ERP systems. Tacto's software, for example, makes it possible to manage product groups and supplier relationships efficiently and evaluate them at the touch of a button without the need for extensive Excel analyses.
Digital advantages at a glance:
Moving from operational to strategic purchasing is a crucial step for SMEs to remain competitive. These five steps provide clear guidance on how companies can develop their purchasing department into a strategic value-adding factor. Through targeted training, effective supplier management and systematic digitalization, purchasing can be established as a strategic corporate function. The benefits range from stable supply chains and optimized product groups to a centralized flow of information within the company. For SMEs, this not only means better control of procurement costs, but also the opportunity to strengthen their market position in the long term through strategic partnerships and innovative tools.
Download the detailed guide to derive concrete recommendations for action for your company!
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