Purchasing is a critical function for most companies. First, the purchasing function is critical because the purchasing costs account for a considerable share of the total costs for most companies (e.g., as high as 50%+ for industrial firms or as high as 80%+ for companies within retailing and trade). Second, the purchasing strategy is imperative to the effective implementation of the company´s overall business strategy in its output market, in the form of costs, quality, timely delivery, etc.
Hence, purchasing decisions have to be done based on a thoroughly defined purchasing strategy embedded in the overall business strategy of the company, as well as based on an analysis of the supply market that the company operates in. In order to achieve purchasing strategy goals, the company must have an appropriate organization of its purchasing function as well as of its relations to its various suppliers. Finally, the company must systematically evaluate purchasing performance, both in terms of internal structure and processes, ability to meet legal and ethical standards, as well as the performance of its suppliers.
Topics
-The role of purchasing in the supply chain
-The purchasing process
-Outsourcing issues: Make or buy?
-Purchasing strategy and business strategy
-Supplier strategy and supplier management
-Supply chain management
-Dual sourcing and "plural" forms
-Business networks
-Organizing the purchasing function
-Purchasing performance measurement
-Supplier assessment
-Purchasing in the public sector