Procurement Manager: example of a transition mission in real estate

Responsible for ensuring the supply of goods and services to the company, the procurement manager occupies a central place in the smooth running of the organization’s operations. What are its missions? And when should you outsource this function to an interim manager?

Focus on the role of the procurement manager and its added value for the company, through a mission by WAYDEN to a player in the real estate sector.

What is a procurement manager?

A procurement manager is a professional responsible for the acquisition of goods and services necessary for the operation of the company’s activity.

Here are some of the tasks of the procurement manager:

• Evaluate and analyze the company’s needs in terms of products and services;
• Identify suppliers and ensure their ability to meet the organization’s needs in terms of quality, costs and deadlines;
• Negotiate contracts with suppliers to obtain the best conditions in terms of price, quality and deadlines;
• Manage relationships with suppliers in order to preserve a sustainable and harmonious collaboration;
• Track orders and supervise procurement steps;
• Ensure compliance with the terms of the contract by suppliers;
• Oversee inventory management in collaboration with the logistics team, in order to avoid stock-outs and surpluses;
• Evaluate the performance of suppliers and purchasing processes and make necessary improvements as necessary;
• Ensure that purchases comply with local regulations and internal company policies;
• Encourage the adoption of sustainable sourcing practices;
• …

The purchasing manager thus plays a key role in ensuring the profitability and operational efficiency of the company.

 

When to call on an interim procurement manager?

It will be relevant to call on an interim procurement manager in several cases, such as:

• To replace an absent purchasing manager (following sick leave, retirement, resignation, etc.) for a relay management mission. The interim manager will ensure the continuity of operations for the time necessary until the return of the absent executive or until the arrival of his replacement;
• In the context of an organizational change (mergers and acquisitions, reorganization of services, etc.): the interim procurement manager can help the company integrate and harmonize its purchasing processes between the different service units;
• Managing a specific project (launch of a new activity, a new product, opening a new subsidiary, etc.): the interim manager may also intervene as a backup, to manage a major or delicate purchasing project that requires specific skills;
• Managing a crisis (logistics crisis, transport strike, problems with suppliers, critical stock shortages, etc.): the interim manager will be able to deploy the necessary actions to restore the situation and minimize the impact of this crisis on the company;
• Optimize purchasing processes to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and implement new procurement strategies;
• …

The interim procurement manager, with a career spanning 15 to 25 years, is equipped with the necessary know-how and interpersonal skills to meet the challenges encountered. Operational from the moment of arrival, he will be able to federate the teams, mobilize all the stakeholders and activate the necessary levers to ensure the success of the mission.

 

Procurement manager: example of a transition mission for the real estate sector

At WAYDEN, in 2021, we were commissioned to appoint an interim procurement manager for a large French real estate company. The client had initiated a large-scale real estate development project. Faced with the complexity and scope of the project, the management wanted to temporarily strengthen its purchasing management department, in order to ensure the fluidity and proper functioning of the procurement processes during this complex operation.

The objectives of the mission were multiple:

• Conduct an audit to assess and optimize current procurement processes;
• Strengthen relationships with suppliers, establish strategic partnerships and ensure advantageous conditions to secure supplies;
• Negotiate and manage contracts with suppliers for the necessary construction materials, equipment and services, at the best prices and under the best conditions;
• Ensure compliance with the terms of contracts (quality, delivery times, costs, etc.) by stakeholders.

We have therefore identified, within our large network of highly qualified interim managers, an experienced interim procurement manager and specialist in the real estate sector. Thanks to his many years of experience in this sector, his sense of leadership and his solid expertise, he has managed to secure supplies, optimize costs and establish sustainable partnerships with suppliers, while ensuring that purchasing practices meet sustainability and regulatory compliance standards.

Contact us to find out how WAYDEN can help you with your problems.