5 trends for the purchasing area in 2023

The year 2022 was marked by the return of in-person meetings and major events.

The new forms of work, remote and hybrid, which have emerged as an alternative during the crisis, continue to be a strategic path for many companies.

And with each passing year, the purchasing area takes on new meanings and roles. Due to its relevance in business, the department has gained prominence in organizations.

And to help purchasing professionals on their way to success, we have selected the main trends for 2023, based on the participation of renowned experts who participated in the ME B2B Summit 2022.

1. Be less operational and more strategic

In the not-so-distant past, purchasing professionals were known as “order takers” and “firefighters.”

But to stand out from the competition and the countless challenges of the sector, buyers need to be freed from the operational routine, which demands a lot of effort and little focus on activities that generate value and results for the business.

In this scenario, technology becomes a true ally in day-to-day purchasing, with the automation of manual processes and the provision of data and information to make the best decisions.

Artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML) and robotic process automation (RPA) features are already a reality in the purchasing world and make teamwork even more intelligent, agile and productive.

2. People first, technology later

It is not enough to adopt the most modern technologies to advance. As important as starting the digital transformation is mindset of the team to promote the automation of operational processes and innovate.

Therefore, cultural issues and good people management must be prioritized. Companies and leaders must encourage professionals to seek out new things, take risks without fear and promote changes to evolve.

Digitalization can begin gradually, and in purchasing, it is important to involve suppliers in this journey. But first, companies need to map their processes to be clear about what can be improved.

The dynamism of the B2B market requires people to be more flexible and adaptable to the numerous challenges and constant changes in the purchasing area.

3. Sustainability on the agenda of companies and CPOs

It has been increasingly discussed, inside and outside organizations, that sustainability and profitability can go hand in hand.

Within the purchasing approach, what was once voluntary has become strategic. The procurement initiatives ESG have proven to be competitive, even with long-term results.

Sustainable shopping has never been so high on people's agendas. CPOs. This is because consumers have sought a responsible attitude, including when choosing suppliers.

The growth of social bias, such as inclusion, diversity and human rights, shows that purchases need to go beyond legal issues and significantly impact society.

The incorporation of a culture of corporate governance and business transparency is also increasingly present in the purchasing area, now as a matter of survival, and technology can be a great partner in this achievement.

4. Digitalization of operational processes

The supply chain is in the midst of its most significant disruption in decades. This historic transformation has been driven primarily by technological change.

The different scenarios of B2B businesses show that resilience and adaptability to changes are fundamental to facing current challenges and those that will still arise.

Technological advances have driven the various regulations that exist today and, throughout history, organizations have rushed to adapt their processes.

Today, advances in the purchasing area are the result of the accelerated pace of transformations, a long process of maturation of the department and crises faced by companies.

According to “Deloitte's Global CPO Survey”, 4.0 leaders are taking advantage of advanced analytics, such as AI, to predict and anticipate demands, identify opportunities and mitigate risks.

Currently, the provision of insights that can be obtained through business intelligence (BI) facilitates the planning journey and faster decision-making.

5. Behavioral skills become indispensable

The buyer profile has changed and is more challenging than ever. Today, technical skills are no longer the only thing responsible for a professional's good performance.

Increasingly, behavioral skills such as negotiation with suppliers, communication, decision-making, among others, are essential to achieve results.

Major changes and disruptions in the job market have also impacted the way companies lead.

Traditional leadership, which concentrates decisions in a single voice, has given way to collaborative leadership, in which decision-making is carried out with the participation of the team.

In this ME blog post, you can check out the 10 behavioral skills to be a good B2B purchasing leader.

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