Best Practices for Global Procurement

Globalization requires businesses to constantly shift their processes and remain flexible. In today’s reality, for modern businesses to thrive, there is an increased need for global procurement. 

However, there is one key challenge when it comes to global procurement - the complexity of the supply chain. Navigating the supply chain is already a complex process locally, so when it comes to global sourcing, this process becomes even more difficult. 

On a good note, there are a variety of solutions to the complexities and challenges of global procurement. By implementing the best industry practices, you will be able to grow your business and take advantage of all the opportunities that global procurement presents. 

This article will explore everything regarding global procurement, from its importance to the best practices. Let’s dive into it. 

What is Global Procurement? 

Global procurement is a process of purchasing goods and services from suppliers all over the world. 

Four Pillars of Global Procurement 

When discussing global procurement, let’s not forget to pay attention to the key pillars of it. 

The first pillar of global procurement is people. The process of global procurement management is complex; thus, you need an expert team. A qualified team will help you find the right vendors to provide both quality and quantity of the products. Also, a good team will efficiently handle negotiations with the suppliers to secure the best deals and terms for long-term collaboration. 

The second pillar is process. Global procurement processes must be streamlined in order to be efficient. Thus, it is vital to consider software solutions that offer automation. A streamlined process will allow you to save on operational costs and efficiently mitigate global procurement risks. 

The third pillar of global procurement is technology. For efficient management of global procurement, you should adopt technology to manage suppliers, POs, invoices, and other relevant documentation and processes. 

Finally, the fourth pillar is the supply chain. Supply chain management includes monitoring inventory, sourcing suppliers, negotiating deals, and ensuring timely order deliveries. 

Importance of Global Procurement 

Global procurement is important for several reasons. First, it allows businesses to enter the international market. Also, it provides more cost-saving opportunities, with factors such as competitive pricing and economies of scale playing huge roles in the process. 

At the end of the day, global procurement presents businesses with more growth opportunities that lead to increased returns on investment.

Top Benefits of Global Procurement 

Global procurement has multiple benefits ranging from cost savings to better quality. So, let’s briefly overview the main ones. 

Allows for Cost Savings 

Businesses keep searching for ways to reduce expenses and save cash. Global procurement provides a variety of cost-effective solutions while allowing the maintenance of high-quality products. 

Global markets provide your organization with endless opportunities to source quality materials at a cheaper price compared to local sourcing. Factors contributing to lower prices include lower labor costs, lower materials, and lower production costs. 

For instance, according to the Reshoring Institute, the top countries with the lowest manufacturing labor costs are China, Brazil, Malaysia, Vietnam, Mexico, and India. These countries offer competitive pricing, allowing for huge cost savings, especially when it comes to large-quantity purchases. 

If you have a US-based company, then an optimal choice for sourcing is Mexico, as it will also allow you to save money on transportation. 

Provides Access to More Suppliers

One of the main advantages of global procurement is access to a larger pool of suppliers. Global procurement provides your organization with a wide choice of suppliers and flexibility. This allows you to choose the ones that offer the best price-to-quality ratio without tying you down to a specific location. 

With access to the global market, you gain more choices, lower costs, better quality, and a multitude of new opportunities. 

Increased Innovation 

Global procurement fosters innovation. First, it allows to collaborate with suppliers all around the globe. Thus, you tap into the new markets where you can grab lots of fresh ideas and inspiration. 

It is essential to always be open to learning. So, use this opportunity to learn from the suppliers when it comes to the technologies used and the efficient processes they have set up. 

For instance, many countries, like China, have exceptional state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment and automation systems. These systems allow the production of large quantities of goods in a reduced time period while maintaining the quality of the product. 

Many US-based firms source suppliers from China, as it offers advanced technologies and quality. For instance, take a look at your iPhone. Where is it made? Right, in China. 

Offers Better Quality  

If you strive for better quality, then global procurement is your best friend. By expanding your supplier network, you tap into new worlds, each of which has unique processes and technology to guarantee quality. 

Thus, you have a wide variety of choices to consider and choose suppliers with the highest quality.

Best Practices for Global Procurement 

When it comes to global procurement, in order to be successful, you should incorporate a few strategies and practices into your process. 

Carefully Evaluate the Suppliers 

Before rushing into signing a contract because you were offered a good deal, make sure to conduct a thorough supplier evaluation. You can conduct online research and read through various references and reviews to identify the best suppliers in the industry. 

Make sure to create comparison charts and carefully assess each of the suppliers. Then, move on to negotiations to finalize the deals and pick the best one for long-term collaboration. 

Improve Supplier Relationship Management 

Communication can be difficult when you are miles apart. However, effective communication and vendor relationship management is pivotal for successful procurement. 

Incorporate communication tools that will allow instant and real-time communication with the suppliers. Make sure to build strategic partnerships for long-term collaboration and regularly monitor supplier performance metrics. 

Enhance Contract Management 

Make sure the contracts’ terms and conditions are well-defined and clear for all the parties involved. Also, the contracts must comply with the legal requirements of both countries as well as international laws and regulations. 

You can enhance contract management by using dedicated contract management software. 

Manage Risks Efficiently 

In order to avoid risks such as fraud or stockouts, make sure to create efficient risk mitigation strategies. For instance, diversify your supplier base. Also, you can develop a risk management strategy to efficiently address potential disruptions that can range anywhere from natural disasters to supply chain disruptions. 

Make sure to conduct regular risk assessments for successful global procurement practices. 

How to Choose a Software for Global Procurement? 

In order to choose software for global procurement, you need to consider several factors, including user interface, features, and scalability of the platform. Let’s briefly overview each of these in more detail. 

Scalability 

When it comes to choosing a software solution, make sure it has good scalability. With a growing list of international suppliers, it is vital to ensure that the platform of your choice will efficiently handle all the data and documentation. For good scalability, choose cloud-based procurement solutions such as Tradogram. 

User Interface 

To make sure the procurement processes are well optimized and employee training does not take months, choose a software solution with a good user interface. Good UI will allow employees to navigate the platform and optimize processes easily and efficiently. 

Features

A good global procurement solution should offer a variety of features, including the following: 

• A centralized database to store all the data regarding suppliers, documentation, and other procurement processes. It will improve control, visibility, and transparency. 
• Inventory management tools to optimize stock levels, monitor stock availability, and avoid stockouts. 
• Contract, PO, and invoice management tools to optimize the procurement process and keep track of every stage. 
• Supplier collaboration tools to enhance collaboration and build long-term relationships with the suppliers. 

If you are looking for a solution that offers all of the above-mentioned tools and benefits, then Tradogram is the perfect choice for your business. 

Go Global with Tradogram 

If you are looking for a procurement solution that will allow you to take care of global procurement efficiently, then you are in the right place. Tradogram is a potent procurement solution that comes in handy with all the necessary features for global procurement. 

With Tradogram you will gain features ranging from invoice and PO management to supplier relationship management capabilities. 

Improve global procurement starting from today. Contact us to find out more regarding our solution tailored to your business needs.