A recent international survey by the Kloepfel Group shows that buyers consider supply chain resilience and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to be top priorities for procurement managers. As part of the LinkedIn survey initiated by Marc Kloepfel, CEO of the Kloepfel Group, 143 purchasing managers worldwide were surveyed from 23 to 29 October 2024.
Survey results
The participants were asked what purchasing managers should be focussing on today. The results show a balanced distribution of priorities:
- Resilience of the supply chain: 30 per cent
- Artificial intelligence: 26 per cent
- Sustainability: 23 per cent
- Agile procurement: 21 per cent
Diagram JPEG „Priorities of buyers“ for free editorial use. Source: Kloepfel Group
Participants explain their choice
4Why prioritise resilience:
One experienced procurement manager focused on supply chain resilience: „All points are important, but I voted in favour of supply chain resilience. Without AI, agile procurement and sustainable sourcing, we cannot achieve resilient supply chains. So if we achieve supply chain resilience, it means that we are already agile, have the right AI utilisation and have sustainable sourcing.“
Why AI as a focus:
A Global Sourcing Operations Professional commented: „All points are very important, but I voted in favour of AI. We need to start utilising AI as it improves efficiency, accuracy and decision making. It automates repetitive tasks, analyses large data sets, predicts market trends and identifies opportunities for cost savings. AI also improves supplier management and risk assessment, ensuring an optimised and strategic procurement process.“
Why focus on agile purchasing:
Another interviewee, Global Head of Procurement, emphasised the importance of agile procurement: „All topics are important. In the end, I decided in favour of agile procurement. Internal stakeholders need and demand an agile procurement process, and if procurement does not fulfil their expectations and requirements, the other topics mentioned cannot/will not be implemented.“
Holistic approach required
„The survey results illustrate how important an integrative approach is in modern procurement,“ comments Marc Kloepfel, CEO of the Kloepfel Group. „Procurement managers recognise the complexity of their challenges and know that only a harmonised interplay of technology, resilience and sustainability will ensure long-term success.“
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