The Changing Role of Procurement Specialists

Probably all of this will be reflected in a changing nature of the role of procurement specialists. For one thing, systems—ERP, supply chain management APS systems, and in-house e-procurement systems—will soon eliminate manual paper, fax, and phone-based activities, freeing up many procurement employees. Depending on size, of course, for companies not involved in direct materials procurement, as the entire process becomes automated, the purchasing department may disappear entirely except for a couple of specialist super users who deal with systems issues and exceptions. For manufacturing and distribution companies that deal in direct goods, it is more likely that purchasing agents will truly become business negotiators and specialists, looking for bundled service offerings or other differentiating factors among their suppliers that demonstrate true added value.