The Future of Work in Procurement: How To Catch Up

One key question on every procurement leader's mind is: What does the future of work look like for procurement professionals?

Will remote work continue to dominate, will hybrid models rise to the top, or will we return to the traditional on-site office environment?

In this blog post, we'll dive into the various work models and explore how procurement leaders can make smart, future-oriented decisions.

🎥 Remote Work: A procurement team based in North America may have a supplier in Asia. During the pandemic, they adapted by using digital tools to communicate across time zones and seamlessly manage the entire procurement cycle online. They saved on travel expenses and improved their efficiency using e-procurement systems.

Actionable Tip: To maximize the effectiveness of remote work, procurement leaders should invest in robust digital platforms that allow for effective collaboration and real-time tracking of procurement activities. In addition, consider virtual face-to-face meetings with suppliers to enhance relationship-building and engagement.

🎥 Hybrid Work: A procurement manager works remotely most of the time, leveraging digital platforms for communication and purchasing decisions. However, once every quarter, they travel to meet with key suppliers to discuss upcoming projects and to negotiate better terms. This hybrid approach has proven to enhance relationships while saving both time and costs in the long run.

Actionable Tip: Establish clear guidelines for hybrid meetings and expectations for team engagement. Use hybrid team-building activities to ensure that remote employees don’t feel disconnected. Ensure that the best technological tools are in place to make collaboration seamless.

🎥 On-Site Work: A procurement department at a manufacturing plant has an on-site procurement team that works directly with warehouse managers and production teams. This direct communication leads to faster response times for sourcing critical materials, as decisions can be made immediately without waiting for remote team input.

Actionable Tip: If on-site work remains the primary model, procurement leaders can still introduce flexibility into their organization. Encourage remote work on specific days of the week, use virtual collaboration tools to reduce office dependencies, and create a hybrid approach for parts of the team where possible.

What You Can Do Now To Catch Up With The Future Of Work In Procurement

🎥 Evaluate Your Organization’s Needs: Understand the operational requirements of your procurement team. Does the team handle high-touch, supplier-facing processes that would benefit from in-person collaboration?

🎥 Invest in Technology: Regardless of the model, technology will play a critical role in your procurement department’s success. Invest in platforms that enhance communication, collaboration and tracking of procurement processes.

🎥 Maintain Flexibility: Offer flexibility in work arrangements. Employees may prefer to work remotely full-time, some may prefer the balance of hybrid models, and others may thrive in an on-site environment.

🎥 Enhance Team Culture: Use virtual team-building activities to maintain relationships, encourage open communication and support the development of your employees.

What model does your organization use? Let us know your thoughts or share your experiences with remote, hybrid or on-site work for your procurement team.

Need procurement specific training? Reach out to support@efemini.com and we'll get you sorted.