Management; Procurement back to base!

Procurement takes a step back in the strategic connection to the “Management” I get this feeling in response to the outcome of a survey that Di-Mens for the 2nd consecutive year has held among board members in The Netherlands about the impact of suppliers on their business. Last year “Value creation for the customer” was mentioned as by far most important theme for Procurement. This year issues as “Availability” and “Cost control” are at the top of the list again. In the wake of this change boardmembers consider the impact of suppliers on their business to be less important and they spend less time to vendors. On the other hand the satisfaction with the added value of procurement has increased. The issues of the day in a full capacity operating economy pushes everybody back in his or her trusted reflex. Procurement performs from its strength and that is appreciated. It is a matter of concern that in this time of rapid change, the strategic connection with the suppliers market seems to be getting less priority.