The contribution of the purchasing function to the performance of organizations and providing competitive advantage is now an undeniable fact. Organizations that can implement strategic purchasing practices not only reduce their costs, but also increase the quality of their products, carry out new product development projects with their suppliers, and achieve their sustainability goals by collaborating with their suppliers. However, there is a very important point that should not be forgotten here: human capital. Organizations that aim for better purchasing performance need to focus primarily on the question of how we can improve the competencies and skills of purchasing professionals, in addition to practices and investments that will increase efficiency and effectiveness in purchasing.
In my recent practitioner article published in the TEDAR Magazine, I discuss a broad set of such procurement skills and also elaborate on the impact of digitalization, innovation, and sustainability on these skills. For details, check the full article in the recent issue of the TEDAR Magazine.