What is Indirect Procurement? – Definition

Indirect procurement is a set of activities designed to identify, assess, and purchase goods and services that are not directly related to the production of a company’s core product. This includes indirect materials such as office supplies, transportation services, technology, and marketing campaigns. The goal of indirect procurement is to ensure that companies get the most out of their contracts with suppliers. It involves conducting an in-depth analysis of a company’s needs and negotiating on behalf of the business to ensure it receives the best possible pricing and quality of products or services. In this article, we will explore what exactly indirect procurement is and how it can benefit your organization.

What is Indirect Procurement?

Indirect procurement is the process of acquiring goods and services that are not related to the company’s core products or services. Indirect procurement includes items such as office supplies, janitorial services, and marketing materials. The goal of indirect procurement is to obtain these items at the best possible price without sacrificing quality or service.

To accomplish this, companies typically create an indirect procurement team that is responsible for negotiating contracts with suppliers, managing supplier relationships, and ensuring that the company receives the goods and services it needs in a timely and cost-effective manner. In some cases, indirect procurement teams may also be responsible for procuring direct materials such as raw materials or components used in the company’s manufacturing processes.

The History of Indirect Procurement

Indirect procurement is the process of procuring goods and services that are not directly related to the production of a company’s goods or services. Indirect procurement includes items such as office supplies, janitorial services, and IT equipment.

The history of indirect procurement can be traced back to the early days of commerce, when businesses would barter for goods and services that they needed. However, the modern system of indirect procurement began to take shape in the early 20th century with the rise of large corporations. These companies began to centralize their purchasing departments in order to get better deals on the goods and services they needed.

Today, indirect procurement is a vital part of any business. Companies use indirect procurement to save money and increase efficiency. With the help of technology, indirect procurement has become easier and more streamlined than ever before.

The Different Types of Indirect Procurement

Indirect procurement is the process of procuring goods and services that are not directly related to the production of a product or service. Examples of indirect procurement items include office supplies, janitorial services, and computer equipment.

There are three main types of indirect procurement:
1. Operational Procurement: This type of indirect procurement is necessary for the day-to-day operations of a business. Examples of operational procurements include office supplies, janitorial services, and computer equipment.
2. Project Procurement: This type of indirect procurement is necessary for specific projects or initiatives. Examples of project procurements include event planning services, construction materials, and marketing collateral.
3. Strategic Procurement: This type of indirect procurement is necessary for long-term planning and growth. Examples of strategic procurements include office space leases, IT infrastructure upgrades, and HR consulting services.

The Pros and Cons of Indirect Procurement

When it comes to indirect procurement, there are pros and cons to consider. On the pro side, indirect procurement can help save time and money by allowing businesses to outsource non-core functions. This can free up internal resources that can be better spent on core activities. Additionally, indirect procurement can help improve quality and compliance by giving businesses access to a larger pool of suppliers.

On the con side, indirect procurement can be more expensive than direct procurement due to markups from middlemen. Additionally, it can be more difficult to manage and control quality when using indirect procurement. Finally, there is always the risk that the supplier will not meet expectations or be unable to deliver on their promises.

How to Implement an Effective Indirect Procurement Strategy

The first step in implementing an effective indirect procurement strategy is understanding what indirect procurement is and how it differs from direct procurement. Indirect procurement includes all the goods and services that a company needs to run its business, but which are not directly related to its core product or service. This can include everything from office supplies and janitorial services to marketing and IT support.

One of the key challenges in indirect procurement is that there are often many different suppliers providing similar products or services, making it difficult to compare apples to apples. This is where an effective sourcing strategy comes in. Sourcing managers need to take a holistic view of the marketplace and understand the different options available before selecting suppliers.

Once you have a good understanding of the marketplace, you can start to develop relationships with key suppliers. Building strong relationships with suppliers is essential for successful indirect procurement, as it gives you more leverage when negotiating prices and terms. It’s also important to keep your ear to the ground for new supplier options that could offer better value or terms.

Finally, don’t forget to measure your results! Regularly review your spending on indirect goods and services and compare it against your budget. This will help you identify areas where you may be able to save money or improve efficiency.

Conclusion

In conclusion, indirect procurement is an important part of the overall supply chain process. It can help organizations reduce costs, improve supplier relationships and increase efficiency in their operations. As technology continues to evolve and become more sophisticated, it’s likely that indirect procurement will only continue to expand its role within the modern business landscape. Understanding the definition of indirect procurement is essential for any organization looking to benefit from this powerful tool.