Kronos Group

How is procurement advisory boosting efficiency and saving ?

Procurement consulting aims to optimise a firm’s procurement processes and strategies with expertise in supply chain management, procurement best practices, and market insights. In today’s business dynamic, its importance cannot be overstated. Consulting in procurement functions tends to drive efficiency and cost savings, and creates strategic value.

Why is procurement advisory important for efficiency and savings?

Strategic sourcing

Procurement specialists can assist businesses in identifying the most cost-effective sources of goods and services by conducting market research, analysing supplier capacity, and negotiating favourable supply-side terms. Making use of a procurement consultant can result in strategic sourcing of products and services, so businesses can reduce costs while maintaining or improving quality.

Cost reduction opportunities

Consultants specialise in identifying cost reduction opportunities and mechanisms throughout the procurement process, which may include negotiating volume discounts, consolidating suppliers, optimising inventory levels, and streamlining procurement workflows. By implementing these cost-saving measures, businesses can improve their bottom line and increase the scope for profitability.

Risk mitigation

Procurement specialists assist firms in identifying and mitigating risks within their supply chain, such as supplier disruptions, quality issues, or compliance violations. By implementing robust risk management strategies and contingency plans for procurement functions, businesses can minimise the impact of potential disruptions and protect their operations from costly setbacks.

Performance monitoring and optimisation

Consultants play a vital role in optimising business processes by tracking performance indicators, analysing data, and offering recommendations. Through continuous monitoring and evaluation, they identify areas for improvement within procurement workflows. By leveraging data-driven insights, they enable businesses to enhance efficiency, minimise waste, and drive cost savings over time.

How can businesses strategically benefit from procurement consulting?

Process improvement

Procurement consultants can assist firms in optimising procurement processes to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. This involves analysing existing processes, identifying bottlenecks and inefficiencies, redesigning workflows, implementing best practices, and leveraging technology solutions to streamline operations and drive continuous improvement.

Market intelligence and benchmarking

Procurement consulting firms provide clients with valuable market insights and benchmarking data to support informed decision-making in procurement functions. This includes keeping a close eye on industry trends, analysing market dynamics, benchmarking performance against industry peers, and identifying opportunities for improvement and innovation.

Training and development

Procurement consulting firms offer training and development programs to enhance the skills and capabilities of client personnel involved in procurement activities. This may include workshops, seminars, webinars, and online courses covering topics such as strategic sourcing, contract negotiation, supplier management, and risk mitigation for stakeholders.

Technology enablement

Procurement consultants advise firms on the selection, implementation, and optimisation of technology solutions to support their procurement operations. This includes evaluating software platforms, configuring systems, integrating disparate systems, and leveraging analytics and automation tools to improve decision-making, efficiency, and transparency.

Sustainability and CSR

Procurement advisory helps firms integrate sustainability and CSR considerations into their procurement practices. This includes assessing supplier sustainability performance, identifying opportunities for environmental and social impact reduction, promoting ethical sourcing practices, and aligning strategies with broader corporate sustainability goals.

Mergers and acquisitions support

External growth is a strategic objective placed by firms. Procurement consulting supports during mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures to assess implications, identify synergies and integration opportunities and develop post-merger integration plans to achieve financial cost savings, follow budgets, optimise supplier relationships, and mitigate risks.

How does procurement consulting optimise sourcing decisions and drive long-term business growth?

Market analysis and trend identification

Consultants conduct thorough market analysis to identify emerging trends, shifts in consumer preferences, and changes in supply and demand dynamics. Businesses can anticipate future demand patterns, identify new sourcing opportunities and adjust strategies to capitalise on market trends.

Supplier evaluation and benchmarking

Procurement consulting assists firms in evaluating and benchmarking based on factors such as competitiveness, quality, reliability and sustainability practices. Firms can make decisions, mitigate risks, and select partners that align with their long-term strategic objectives and values.

Risk assessment and mitigation

Procurement consultants help organisations assess and mitigate risks in the supply chain, such as supplier disruptions, geopolitical instability, natural disasters, and regulatory changes. Conducting risk assessments and developing contingency plans enhances supply chain resilience.

Cost optimisation strategies

Businesses incur expenses in procurement and aim towards optimising them to meet profit margins. Consultants analyse cost drivers and identify opportunities for cost optimisation throughout the processes. This helps identify areas for cost reduction and optimise sourcing decisions.

Strategic sourcing planning

Strategic decision-making requires thorough planning. Procurement consultants assist businesses in developing strategic sourcing plans for long-run business continuity. Procurement consultants factor in product lifecycle, market volatility, supplier capacity and competition levels.

Performance monitoring and continuous improvement

Procurement consultants keep a close eye on performance indicators and metrics to base decisions, track outcomes, review performance insights, and strive for continuous improvement in procurement functions to stimulate long-term business growth, success and objective achievement.

Consult Kronos Group for procurement advisory to boost efficiency and saving potential in your business

In today’s business environment, firms are looking to boost efficiency, gain cost savings, and mitigate risks. All this can be done through procurement consultation.

Kronos Group excels in guiding businesses towards a future defined by digital transformation and strategic technology integration. Embark on a transformative journey within the ever-evolving business landscape with us.

Whether your goal is to optimise operational processes, achieve substantial cost reductions, or cultivate impactful supplier relationships, Kronos Group is committed to empowering your success at every turn with our procurement consulting services.

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FAQ

Procurement advisory is a specialised consulting service, aimed towards optimising a firm’s procurement processes, strategies, and stakeholder relationships to drive efficiency, cost savings, and value creation.

The main role of a procurement advisor is to provide strategic guidance and expertise to organisations in optimising their procurement processes, sourcing strategies, and supplier relationships, identifying cost-saving opportunities, mitigating risks, and driving efficiency in procurement operations to help businesses achieve their strategic objectives.

Advisory can support the implementation of e-procurement platforms, automated workflows, data analytics tools, and centralised management systems to streamline processes, improve transparency, and facilitate data-backed decision-making—optimising operations and driving cost savings.

Julie Brand

A part of Kronos Group’s team since 2018, Julie is a leader who has honed her specialisation in business transformation and utilised her expansive financial expertise to power business strategy and add value to what we do. She has amassed experience (Pfizer, Sony, AXA, SMEC, Tradelink) all over the world in strategy, project management, analysis, and supply chain.