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The task of risk management in purchasing is to identify, assess and control the risks associated with the procurement of materials and services. In this way, procurement not only secures the supply chain, but also the success of a company. The risks in purchasing have long since ceased to be limited to supplier failures and supply bottlenecks. They are numerous and varied:

Customs costs are like a silent blackhead on the margin cake of many companies - often underestimated, rarely fully understood and yet massive in their impact. In times of global uncertainty and political tensions, the strategic handling of customs duties is no longer an optional extra, but a duty. More and more purchasing managers are facing the same challenge: punitive tariffs, missing proof of preference, subsequent customs clearance or incorrect Incoterm agreements

Digitalization is a huge driver of efficiency and a disruptive business innovator. Procurement sits at the interface to suppliers and innovations that companies need for the digital transformation. It manages partnerships in the increasingly digital world, with technology and software companies, start-ups and other drivers of digital business, on whose collaboration companies will be even more dependent in the future.

The number of international suppliers is increasing. The supply chain is becoming more and more diversified. Innovation cycles are becoming ever shorter. All of these factors assign purchasing the task of minimizing the cost pressure on the company and optimizing the procurement process in the value chain. Due to the high proportion of purchased materials, systematic supplier management is therefore essential. In this article you will learn

To this day, the stereotype persists that an office administrator "only" handles paperwork for their superiors, without any personal responsibility or advancement opportunities. However, this image is far from reality. After all, completing their training is far from the end of the job for office administrators. With further training as an office administrator,

Efficient procurement is crucial for the success and competitiveness of your company today. But what does procurement actually mean, what tasks are involved and what challenges do purchasing departments currently face most frequently? In this article, you will find out how to successfully design the procurement process and how companies can master the current challenges in a targeted manner. What is

Reducing costs in purchasing: Methodical and production-oriented design Companies are always on the lookout for potential cost savings. They often only see the most obvious potential in procurement and sales departments. Restructuring, or in friendlier terms "change management", usually takes place in cost centers and often focuses on process optimization or adjustments to the margin and/or quality parameters. With these proven

With their expertise and analytical mindset, strategic buyers manage the purchasing of goods and services at a strategic level. From supplier management and contract negotiations to risk assessment, they have a range of responsible tasks. Strategic buyer: Key facts Training Commercial training (e.g. industrial clerk) Degree in business administration, industrial engineering, etc. Hard skills Project management skills

Corruption is not a trivial offense: every year, companies incur billions of euros in losses due to fines, penalties and compensation payments as a result of corruption. In addition, companies and institutions suffer an enormous loss of reputation when cases of corruption are uncovered. This makes it all the more important for companies to actively prevent corruption in order to avoid this damage. This applies all the more in light of

Agility describes the ability of an organization to continuously adapt to complex, turbulent and uncertain circumstances. It is obvious that this does not work on its own. For agility to succeed in procurement, managers must take a holistic view of all relevant areas (see Figure 1). If these are gradually "agilized", the transformation in procurement will progress and thus become a success.

What person working in purchasing is not familiar with it: the powerlessness of having to accept price and other dictates from a supplier with a unique position. Monopolists are often only the symptoms of a disease whose cause of powerlessness is often homemade and lies in maverick buying and late involvement. In addition to sustainable prevention through internal sensitization of all relevant

Negotiations with suppliers are part of the day-to-day business of strategic purchasers. If everything goes smoothly, both parties leave the meeting satisfied. But this is not always the case. In difficult negotiation situations, a cool head and good preparation can help. 1. power Be aware of your own position of power, but also that of your suppliers or negotiating partner. If a