Purchase Manager Skillsets to Focus on in 2015 and Beyond

It’s no secret that purchasing is going through some significant and rapid changes. While the changing landscape of purchase management is clear, what isn’t as evident is whether or not professionals are keeping up with skillsets needed to adapt to those changes. Given that as many as one-third of all professionals are involved in projects that are attempting to accomplish something that hasn’t been done before, it’s easy to understand why new additional skillsets are so important. Taking a Critical Look Ensuring that purchasing is ready to ride those changing tides starts by thoroughly evaluating talent capability. By taking the time to go through this type of assessment, it becomes possible to accurately determine if each stage is going to be deliverable. One reality that many organizations have to face as they grow is that the processes or people that got them to a certain stage may not be the right fit for getting to the next stage. The Importance of Negotiation and Other Skills Of all the skills that are viewed as vital to purchasing management but are most often lacking, negotiation is near the top of the list. That being said, due to changes within this field, it’s no longer the skill that’s at the very top. The new reality of purchasing means professionals need the right skills to handle a client-orientated approach, as well as have the ability to sell the function of procurement to other internal stakeholders. So, how can department heads ensure that their team has the right skills? One option is to start at the top and ensure that the right skills are passed down. Another option is to look to outside sources for proven training. It’s also important that professionals at all levels are open to the increased usage of technology. How to Stay Ahead of the Curve Although all the change within this field may initially seem to paint a somewhat bleak outlook for purchase managers, that doesn’t need to be the case. On the contrary, professionals who stay abreast of changes and are willing to adapt should feel that there’s a lot to be excited about. Since technology is at the heart of what’s driving changes within purchasing, professionals can stay ahead of the curve by embracing the right type of purchasing software. For purchasing managers who want to maximize the effectiveness of their purchasing process, Bellwether Purchasing Software is the optimal purchasing software to use. With a long list of features that range from customized work flows to enforcing budget thresholds, our purchasing software is specifically designed to ensure that procurement departments have everything they need to stay on top of changes. If you have any additional questions about how Bellwether Purchasing Software can keep your purchasing practices ahead of the curve, don’t hesitate to contact us and learn more about the benefits of our purchasing software or sign up for our Live Demo or FREE 30 Day Trial.