What is a Purchasing Consultant and Who Needs One Anyway?

Clients want objective, independent and expert analysis of business problems and solutions, not a permanent dependence. This saves money and generates rapid payback. Consulting is offered on a stand alone engagement basis or in combination with training when a more comprehensive program is desired.

See what clients have to say abut their results with Bob. Consulting Testimonials

Purchasing consulting is merely the outsourcing of specific expertise for stated purposes. For instance, engaging talent to write a Purchasing Policies & Procedures Manual or conduct supply chain audits for Sarbanes-Oxley, or Merger & Acquisitions due diligence, or to develop a supplier evaluation strategy and techniques, or disaster recovery plan are but a few specific requests. Others may seek help in developing supplier qualification standards and evaluation methods (link to blog) or help with choosing software for enhanced data management. (See below for a list of commonly outsourced purchasing consulting services).

The need for consultants grows as organizations trim staff and must look to external sources to plug the talent gap or cannot devote the time and resources of the remaining staff to solve particular problems.

What are some good sources?

A daunting problem facing companies large and small, where to find competent purchasing consultants and how to be certain the right choice is made. Many large “accounting/consulting” houses are often long on titles, but short on specific procurement expertise. High level thinking will not solve practical business problems. Similarly, academics often lack practical experience. You would not ask your pediatrician to do heart surgery on your parents and you don’t want advice on what to do from a consultant without practical solutions on how to do it! Put it into few words, favor a Certified Professional Purchasing Consultant over a Master of Business Administration.

Services frequently outsourced to an experienced Purchasing Consultant

• Purchasing Policies & Procedures Manual
• Purchasing Ethics Policy
• Consulting Reports for a variety of requests
• Terms and Conditions
• Disaster/Recovery Plans
• Supplier Sustainability Plans

• Due Diligence for Mergers & Acquisitions
• Sarbanes Oxley compliance
• Audit Committees, management, share holders, and debt holders

• Purchasing Department organization such as Centralized, Decentralized, Strategic, etc
• Supplier Qualification (Certification) standards
• Supplier Evaluation systems
• Supplier Base reduction methods

• Foreign and domestic supplier negotiations
• Supplier selection
• Supplier plant visits
• Hiring purchasing talent
• ISO and QS registration
• Development of negotiation plan and implementation strategy
• Identify and implement best practices
• Create/expand P-Card, Ghost Card, and P/R Card programs
• Investigate and recommend supply chain operations for efficiency and profitability in areas such as
• Travel Spend
• Software selection for purchasing
• Reduction/elimination of wasteful or duplicate processes