One of the most important strategic decisions of a company is to choose whether to insource or outsource its procurement function. Werther you choose to get an external supplier for your business or get your procurement department handle buying is a decision is bound to have significant impacts on your business performance, costs, and risk. so it is imperial to get it right. in this article, we will explore the best practices of procurement outsourcing and insourcing.

What is procurement outsourcing?

Procurement outsourcing is the process of delegating some or all of your procurement activities to a third-party provider. This can include sourcing, contracting, supplier management, purchasing, invoicing, and payment. Procurement outsourcing can help you reduce your operational costs, access specialized expertise and technology, and focus on your core competencies. However, it also comes with some challenges, such as loss of control, dependency, quality issues, and hidden fees.

What is procurement insourcing?

Procurement insourcing is the opposite of outsourcing. It means keeping your procurement functions in-house and managing them with your own staff, systems, and processes. Procurement insourcing can give you more control, flexibility, and alignment with your business goals and culture. It can also help you build long-term relationships with your suppliers and leverage your bargaining power. However, it also requires more investment, resources, and skills to maintain and improve your procurement capabilities.

Whether you choose procurement outsourcing and insourcing functions, you need to follow some best practices to ensure a successful outcome.

What are the best practices for outsourcing and insourcing procurement?

For outsourcing procurement, you should define your scope, objectives, and expectations clearly and communicate them to your provider. Select a provider that has the relevant expertise, experience, and reputation in your industry and region.

Establish a formal contract that covers the terms, conditions, deliverables, and performance indicators of the service. Monitor and evaluate the provider's performance regularly and provide feedback and guidance.

Manage the relationship with the provider proactively and collaboratively and resolve any issues or conflicts promptly.

For insourcing procurement, you should assess your current capabilities and gaps and identify the areas that need improvement or development. Allocate sufficient budget, time, and resources to support your procurement functions and staff.

Train and develop your staff at PLS Training to enhance their skills, knowledge, and motivation. Implement and update your systems and processes to optimize your efficiency, quality, and compliance.

Lastly, benchmark and measure your performance against your goals and industry standards and seek continuous improvement.

When deciding whether to outsource or insource your procurement functions, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. The best option depends on your specific situation, objectives, and capabilities. Consider the complexity and importance of your procurement functions; if they are simple and low-value, outsourcing may be more efficient and cost-effective, whereas if they are complex and high-value, insourcing may be more beneficial and competitive.

Additionally, assess the availability and quality of your internal resources; if you have enough skilled and experienced staff, systems, and processes to handle your procurement functions, insourcing may be more feasible and reliable, but if you lack the necessary resources or face challenges such as high turnover, low productivity, or outdated technology, outsourcing may be more convenient and advantageous. Look out for our upcoming training in Strategic Procurement Management in the month of June

Lastly, consider the market conditions and opportunities; if you operate in a dynamic and competitive market, outsourcing may help you access more innovation, best practices, and economies of scale, whereas if you have a stable and niche market, insourcing may help you differentiate yourself, create value, and protect your intellectual property.

What type of procurement is practiced at your place of work? procurement outsourcing or insourcing? Let us know in the comment section.

Read more: Choosing the Right Procurement Partner. 5 Factors to Consider