There certainly is a difference between occupying a Procurement role and being a valued Procurement professional.
And this starts with the desire to make a meaningful impact no matter how little.
Do you aspire to be recognized as a valuable contributor who drives positive outcomes and delivers exceptional results?
Read on for some practical ways to position yourself as a valuable procurement professional.
📍 Manage Stakeholders Skillfully: Often times, we are tasked with managing procurement projects that require close collaboration with internal stakeholders across various departments, such as Finance, Operations and Legal. How we manage these relationships is crucial to adding value as a Procurement professional.
Take the time to understand the needs, priorities and objectives of your internal stakeholders by actively listening, asking questions and seeking feedback. Communicate transparently and frequently, encouraging your team members to do same. Proactively share updates, insights and recommendations to keep stakeholders informed and engaged throughout the procurement process.
📍Keep Knowledge-Hunting: As Procurement professionals, we find ourselves in diverse work situations that emphasize the need to keep expanding our knowledge, skills and expertise in procurement best practices, industry trends and emerging technologies. As we expand our knowledge and apply our learnings in our day-to-day activities, we increase our value.
Where to start? Invest in your professional development by pursuing relevant certifications; and attending industry conferences, workshops and seminars. You’ll be amazed how much you can glean from those sessions, and the key network you will establish over time. Where possible, seek mentorship and guidance from experienced Procurement professionals; and leverage online resources, webinars, and e-learning platforms to expand your knowledge and skills.
📍Apply Strategic Thinking: Procurement is synonymous with identifying cost-saving opportunities, optimizing supplier relationships and mitigating supply chain risks. To complete these and other procurement tasks effectively and showcase our value; we need a strategic mindset.
Approach procurement challenges with a strategic mindset, focusing on long-term goals, stakeholder alignment and value creation. Don’t carry the burden alone. Collaborate with cross-functional teams, leverage cross-functional expertise and solicit diverse perspectives to generate innovative ideas and solutions.
By being committed to personal and professional growth, innovation, and excellence you'll be able to navigate the evolving demands of the procurement field.
Need procurement specific training? Reach out to support@efemini.com and we'll get you sorted
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