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Global Category Intelligence
Q2 2025
Global Category Intelligence
Q2 2025
Strategic Thinking Takes Indirect Procurement to the Next Level
Supply Management Month
Category: Supplier Relationships & Sourcing
Published: Monday, March 10, 2025
Welcome back to our series for Supply Management Month, "Transforming Indirect Procurement for Supply Chain Success," where we explore Supply Management Month from a fresh perspective each week.
Last week, we explored how technology—like AI spend analysis—unlocks value in indirect procurement. This week, we shift gears to strategy, because tools alone won’t win the game; you need a playbook.
Indirect procurement often gets stuck in a tactical rut—ordering paper, booking flights, managing leases. But a strategic mindset flips that script.
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Start by categorizing your spend: office supplies, professional services, logistics.
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Then, prioritize. Maybe travel costs spiked in Q1 2025 due to trade show season—time to negotiate bulk rates with a preferred vendor.
Strategy here means aligning procurement with business goals, not just chasing the cheapest option.
Stronger supplier relationships are the secret sauce. Instead of treating vendors as interchangeable, build partnerships. A facilities management provider who understands your hybrid work model can suggest cost-saving tweaks—like fewer cleanings for half-empty offices. Data backs this up: companies with strategic supplier ties see 20% better delivery performance, per ISM research. That’s supply chain gold.
As March unfolds, consider your strategy: Are you playing defense or offense with indirect spending? Next week, we’ll tackle sustainability—stay tuned!
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