Having a professional dedicated to purchasing has always been essential for companies. However, with the acceleration of digital transformation and the consequent automation of processes, the buyer ceased to be a mere operational assistant and gained prominence, time and intelligence to perform more strategic functions within companies.
Another factor that highlighted its important role was the pandemic. The health and economic crises impacted the supply chain leaders, highlighting the need for buyers prepared to maintain the continuity and efficiency of operations in companies.
Technology as a great ally for the buyer
O purchasing professional of the future must have technology as their main ally and never see it as a threat. The current market demands that professionals be analytical, work with performance indicators and make increasingly assertive decisions.
Given the new scenario, knowing how to implement and use technologies is essential for professionals who want to stay up to date in the market.
Digital resources bring benefits such as cost reduction, agility in purchasing processes, compliance and governance, standardization of flows, more organized and available information, reduction of bureaucratic burden and collaboration with the supply chain.
These technological advantages direct the buyer to what really matters in a purchase: critical analysis and constant search for the best scenario in a negotiation.
Soon, many companies will have a technological ecosystem that will allow the purchasing department to manage all aspects of the supply chain in a clear, fast and highly data-driven way. So, those who are averse to technology will be left behind.
Soft skills and supplier relationships
Non-technical skills, also called soft skills, have been gaining relevance in the career of purchasing professionals. Communication, autonomy, collaboration and flexibility are just some of the skills that must accompany the new era of the profession.
Have a good supply chain relationship To achieve sustainable and solid partnerships, both in normal situations and in times of crisis, requires time and dedication.
Here, the creation of processes of risk management (planned or not) and a broad view of the level of partnership with each supplier.
It is also important to maintain an approved and evaluated supplier base in order to mitigate risks that compromise the company's results, such as supply shortages, fiscal and labor co-responsibility, among other factors that can destroy the organization's reputation and image.
Proactivity and knowledge of the areas you serve are necessary skills, as they can help you develop new suppliers and align different projects with the company's needs and strategies.
This article was written by Herbert Scheiner, Key Account Manager (KAM) of Mercado Eletrônico, and published on the website Vida Moderna.
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