By: Mickey North Rizza
A recent discussion with several supply chain and procurement analysts unveiled a new fact: Procurement and Sourcing are advancing in terms of knowledge, skills, value contribution and tying their results directly to the business. A CPO for a CPG company told me that without their team’s doubled efforts since 2009, the company would never have hit earnings expectations. The efforts included training and career development for all procurement, sourcing and supplier facing employees; a new hire program tied to three universities; focus on top and bottom line contribution; goals and metrics that drove excellence; C-suite support and commitment; and strategic leadership tied to board level assistance. Procurement is definitely providing a real and significant business impact.
Other leaders in High-Tech, Pharmaceutical and Discrete and Industrial manufacturing told me they are being tasked to support their companies with greater value contribution. Many are uncertain how to respond to this change – “in-the-box” routine vs. “out-of-the-box” opportunity. They are now, more than ever, looking for assistance from their peers, ideas from other management members and for some quick wins.
Interesting how all that is needed to reinvigorate Procurement professionals is a recession, management awareness of the possibilities and an opportunity. Hmmm, all of this is a Doodle of the Week – something we do idly as our mental efforts are focused somewhere else.
Let’s take it beyond the Doodle and make Procurement the best value contributor in the business.
