Procurement vs Sourcing – 5 Crucial Differences You Should Know

This way it’s not going to be too difficult to review it again should you need to.

Procurement is to buy items for your company or store while sourcing is to find where those items are being sold at high quality and at an affordable rate.

Plain and simple right? Let’s move forward.

Procurement can actually happen without sourcing.

Sometimes, a company with a higher budget may simply inform the procurement manager to just buy 30 computers from the local computer shop because, simply put, it is probably the only computer shop that is near their office. The procurement manager can then create the whole procurement process of negotiating for the price and finally, buying the said computers.

Sourcing makes the whole procurement process easier.

For the procurement manager, having a team of reliable sourcing specialists is a godsend. The sourcing specialists will give the procurement manager a list of the best venues where to get the materials the office or company is going to need. From that list alone, the procurement manager can plan the whole procurement process with ease.

Procurement focuses on the what of supplies while sourcing takes aim at the who is making the supplies.

For the procurement manager, the quality and price of the supplies needed for the office are a very important aspects of the procurement process. With those, he/she can determine if the supplies are good for purchasing. Meanwhile, sourcing takes aim at who is supplying the materials or supplies. This is to make sure that the source is reliable and affordable.

Procurement is about making sure that the flow of inputs and supplies goes smoothly while sourcing makes sure that the supply chain producing the inputs and supplies is guaranteed.

Both procurement and sourcing work hand in hand to make sure that the materials needed for the company to keep working are provided without problems. Think of procurement as the cogs inside the machine that make it work and sourcing is the oil that keeps the cogs in tip-top shape.

Why is it important to learn the difference between procurement and sourcing?

• Procurement managers often think that procurement is the same as sourcing. Thus, they fail to incorporate the importance of sourcing in a procurement process simply because both terms mean the same thing.
• Recognizing sourcing will save you (and your company) time and money. You can create a sourcing process to look for potential suppliers before you start the procurement process.
• In cases where automated procurement systems are required, a procurement manager who is unable to tell the difference between procurement and sourcing will not be able to make full of use of the automated program.
• Learning the difference between procurement and sourcing is basic knowledge among procurement managers.
• Recognizing the potential of both sourcing and procurement will give you, the procurement manager, the edge in negotiating with suppliers and vendors. You can take your pick from the best suppliers and you can negotiate for better prices per supply.

Strategic Sourcing: What is it? 

Strategic sourcing is growing in popularity in the field of procurement but what really is it? Strategic sourcing is an approach that puts overall value on the relationship with the supplier rather than its provided product or services. 

It is a part of supply chain management and puts emphasis on customized solutions and strategic partnerships. 

Furthermore, it is a long-term process that needs large investments in advanced technological platforms, tools, and personal skill sets for its successful implementation. 

Difference Between Strategic Sourcing and Procurement

You may ask, what is the difference between strategic sourcing and procurement? Well, let us take a look at how it is different from each other for you to understand when and which term to be used when you are in the field.

Procurement, in its definition, is the process of gathering the materials you need for your products and services through suppliers. The procurement department will place its orders with suppliers, receive the materials, and pay for them. 

Procurement is an end-to-end process that covers various activities such as planning, negotiating prices, inventory control, and purchase orders. 

It starts the supply chain process because once the materials you need are delivered to you, you can now make the products you are going to sell to others. 

On the other hand, strategic sourcing happens before purchases and is typically part of the procurement department. 

Before any purchases are made and any contracts are signed, you must first find potential suppliers. In strategic sourcing, you will identify suppliers that are an ideal fit for your needs. 

In an enterprise, strategic sourcing is one of the components of supply chain management that represents strategic planning, contract negotiation, supplier development, and outsourcing models. 

In the service sector, strategic sourcing is often understood as a service solution that is specifically tailored to meet the individual needs of the client. 

Service sourcing strategy may include the transfer of business practice to another company, characterized by the transfer of personnel and assets to an outsourcing company. For example, companies like McDonald’s and Microsoft use Vested Outsourcing Agreements. 

Benefits of Strategic Sourcing

1. Improve cost savings

Strategic sourcing considers the total cost of ownership (TCO) which leads to more long-term cost savings for your business. 

These savings have a positive impact on financial profitability which is reduced by commissions, overhead costs, and cost of goods sold among other expenses.

2. Enhance efficiency and operation

Strategic sourcing allows you to pre-qualify suppliers for future projects which can shorten sourcing timelines. 

Additionally, as strategic sourcing gives emphasis on the importance of the relationship with your supplier, it can foster collaborative supplier relationships that will provide your company with opportunities to innovate. 

By using automation and introducing sourcing standards in your company, it will gain a systematic approach when selecting the best supplier for future projects.

3. Improve compliance

Strategic sourcing enables companies to identify suppliers that have the values and practices. Additionally, it ensures that suppliers meet compliance and regulatory guidelines as it allows companies to verify the background of all their potential suppliers.

4. A stronger relationship with your suppliers

As we told you earlier, strategic sourcing is an approach that puts overall value on the relationship with the supplier rather than its provided product or services. 

Thus, working closely with your suppliers should enable you to develop meaningful relationships with each other. Stronger relationships with suppliers can pave the way for more favorable contractual terms.

Become the Ace of Procurement and Sourcing

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Learn this and more from our Negotiation Course For Procurement Professionals. Become the ace negotiator that you thought you never could achieve!