View from others about Procurement/Purchasing function?

[caz_manc]

Although the idea of procurement as a business function is 10 years or so old, it does seem that it hasn’t been incorporated into the fabric of businesses as fuller as I would have expected.

The evidence is that it can make a much bigger impact on the profitability of a company then trying to increase sales. But simplistically to achieve this it does impose restrictions on where to buy which creates tension within a company.

What I am looking for is everyone’s HONEST opinions on their experiences of procurement within their company.

For me this is a fact finding mission, so I can understand the struggles people are having which are impacting on the effectively of procurement.

[caz_manc]

Jonathan27 said:

I’m a Global Sourcing Manager at a large global bank (not sure I should name the firm here), and I would say that our Procurement function is well integrated in to the wider business.
The classic tensions still exist ‘why are they forcing us to buy from X, I know Y will do me a better deal’. But this is nothing more than a lack of understanding and communication.

Thank you that is what I am looking for.

[caz_manc]

I am trying to keep this as generic as possible so that I do get honest feedback. Some companies will be fully integrated and some still have admin staff placing orders. Either way I would like to know how people view procurement and how they are or are not having problems because of the policies’ implemented.