Important NMFC changes coming July 19, 2025. The NMFTA will consolidate ~2,000 commodity listings in the first phase of the 2025-1 docket. Learn more or contact your sales rep.

    Procurement Strategy Development: UNIS Freight & Logistics Glossary Term Definition

    HomeFreight GlossaryPrevious: supplier selection criteriaNext: Shipping Container ManagementProcurement StrategySupply Chain ManagementLogistics PlanningSourcing OptimizationContract ManagementVendor SelectionTendering ProcessRFIRFPPurchase Order ManagementInventory ControlTotal Cost Of OwnershipTCOLTLERPSupplier Relationship ManagementSRMStrategic SourcingAuction ManagementCategory ManagementCommodity Management
    See all terms

    What is Procurement Strategy Development?

    Procurement Strategy Development

    Procurement Strategy Development

    Procurement strategy development is a critical component of the logistics and supply chain management process. It involves the creation of a comprehensive plan to acquire goods, services, and works from external sources. The development of a procurement strategy requires a thorough analysis of the organization's needs, market conditions, and supplier capabilities. A well-designed procurement strategy can help organizations achieve their business objectives, reduce costs, and improve efficiency. The procurement strategy development process typically involves several stages, including needs assessment, market research, supplier selection, and contract negotiation. The needs assessment stage involves identifying the organization's requirements and specifications for the goods or services to be procured. Market research is then conducted to identify potential suppliers and assess their capabilities. The supplier selection stage involves evaluating and comparing the capabilities of different suppliers to determine the best fit for the organization's needs. The contract negotiation stage involves negotiating the terms and conditions of the procurement contract with the selected supplier. Effective procurement strategy development requires a deep understanding of the organization's business objectives, market conditions, and supplier capabilities. It also requires strong analytical and negotiation skills to ensure that the organization achieves the best possible value for its procurement spend. Procurement strategy development is an ongoing process that requires continuous monitoring and evaluation to ensure that the organization's procurement needs are being met effectively. The development of a procurement strategy can also involve the use of various tools and techniques, such as total cost of ownership analysis, supplier relationship management, and contract management. These tools and techniques can help organizations to optimize their procurement processes and achieve better outcomes.

    Strategic Sourcing

    Strategic sourcing is a key component of procurement strategy development. It involves the use of a structured approach to identify and evaluate potential suppliers, with the goal of achieving the best possible value for the organization's procurement spend. Strategic sourcing typically involves a thorough analysis of the organization's procurement needs, market conditions, and supplier capabilities. This analysis is used to identify opportunities for cost savings, improved quality, and increased efficiency. Strategic sourcing can be applied to a wide range of procurement categories, including goods, services, and works. The strategic sourcing process typically involves several stages, including needs assessment, market research, supplier selection, and contract negotiation. The needs assessment stage involves identifying the organization's requirements and specifications for the goods or services to be procured. Market research is then conducted to identify potential suppliers and assess their capabilities. The supplier selection stage involves evaluating and comparing the capabilities of different suppliers to determine the best fit for the organization's needs. The contract negotiation stage involves negotiating the terms and conditions of the procurement contract with the selected supplier. Strategic sourcing can help organizations to achieve a range of benefits, including cost savings, improved quality, and increased efficiency. It can also help organizations to reduce their risk exposure and improve their supply chain resilience. Effective strategic sourcing requires a deep understanding of the organization's business objectives, market conditions, and supplier capabilities. It also requires strong analytical and negotiation skills to ensure that the organization achieves the best possible value for its procurement spend.

    Strategic sourcing can be used in a variety of contexts, including private sector organizations, public sector organizations, and not-for-profit organizations. It can be applied to a wide range of procurement categories, including goods, services, and works. The strategic sourcing process typically involves a cross-functional team, including representatives from the procurement, finance, and operations departments. This team works together to identify and evaluate potential suppliers, and to negotiate the terms and conditions of the procurement contract. Strategic sourcing can also involve the use of various tools and techniques, such as total cost of ownership analysis, supplier relationship management, and contract management. These tools and techniques can help organizations to optimize their procurement processes and achieve better outcomes. The strategic sourcing process can be complex and time-consuming, requiring significant resources and expertise. However, the benefits of strategic sourcing can be substantial, including cost savings, improved quality, and increased efficiency. Organizations that adopt a strategic approach to sourcing can achieve a range of benefits, including improved procurement outcomes, increased efficiency, and reduced risk exposure. Strategic sourcing can also help organizations to build stronger relationships with their suppliers, which can lead to improved collaboration and innovation. By working closely with suppliers, organizations can identify opportunities for cost savings, improved quality, and increased efficiency, and work together to achieve these benefits.

    Contract Management

    Contract management is another key component of procurement strategy development. It involves the management of procurement contracts from award to close-out, with the goal of ensuring that the organization achieves the best possible value for its procurement spend. Contract management typically involves a thorough analysis of the procurement contract, including the terms and conditions, pricing, and performance requirements. This analysis is used to identify opportunities for cost savings, improved quality, and increased efficiency. Contract management can be applied to a wide range of procurement categories, including goods, services, and works. The contract management process typically involves several stages, including contract award, contract administration, and contract close-out. The contract award stage involves the award of the procurement contract to the selected supplier. The contract administration stage involves the management of the procurement contract, including the monitoring of supplier performance and the management of contract changes. The contract close-out stage involves the formal closure of the procurement contract, including the payment of final invoices and the release of any remaining obligations. Contract management can help organizations to achieve a range of benefits, including cost savings, improved quality, and increased efficiency. It can also help organizations to reduce their risk exposure and improve their supply chain resilience. Effective contract management requires a deep understanding of the organization's business objectives, market conditions, and supplier capabilities. It also requires strong analytical and negotiation skills to ensure that the organization achieves the best possible value for its procurement spend.

    Contract management can be used in a variety of contexts, including private sector organizations, public sector organizations, and not-for-profit organizations. It can be applied to a wide range of procurement categories, including goods, services, and works. The contract management process typically involves a cross-functional team, including representatives from the procurement, finance, and operations departments. This team works together to manage the procurement contract, including the monitoring of supplier performance and the management of contract changes. Contract management can also involve the use of various tools and techniques, such as contract analysis, supplier performance management, and dispute resolution. These tools and techniques can help organizations to optimize their contract management processes and achieve better outcomes. The contract management process can be complex and time-consuming, requiring significant resources and expertise. However, the benefits of contract management can be substantial, including cost savings, improved quality, and increased efficiency. Organizations that adopt a strategic approach to contract management can achieve a range of benefits, including improved procurement outcomes, increased efficiency, and reduced risk exposure. Contract management can also help organizations to build stronger relationships with their suppliers, which can lead to improved collaboration and innovation. By working closely with suppliers, organizations can identify opportunities for cost savings, improved quality, and increased efficiency, and work together to achieve these benefits.

    Supply Chain Management

    Supply chain management is a critical component of logistics and procurement strategy development. It involves the management of the flow of goods, services, and information from raw materials to end customers. The supply chain management process typically involves several stages, including procurement, production, logistics, and distribution. The procurement stage involves the acquisition of raw materials and goods from external sources. The production stage involves the transformation of raw materials into finished goods. The logistics stage involves the transportation and storage of goods. The distribution stage involves the delivery of goods to end customers. Supply chain management can help organizations to achieve a range of benefits, including cost savings, improved quality, and increased efficiency. It can also help organizations to reduce their risk exposure and improve their supply chain resilience. Effective supply chain management requires a deep understanding of the organization's business objectives, market conditions, and supplier capabilities. It also requires strong analytical and negotiation skills to ensure that the organization achieves the best possible value for its procurement spend. Supply chain management can be used in a variety of contexts, including private sector organizations, public sector organizations, and not-for-profit organizations. It can be applied to a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, retail, and healthcare. The supply chain management process can be complex and time-consuming, requiring significant resources and expertise. However, the benefits of supply chain management can be substantial, including cost savings, improved quality, and increased efficiency.

    Inventory Management

    Inventory management is a key component of supply chain management. It involves the management of inventory levels, including the acquisition, storage, and distribution of goods. Inventory management can help organizations to achieve a range of benefits, including cost savings, improved quality, and increased efficiency. It can also help organizations to reduce their risk exposure and improve their supply chain resilience. Effective inventory management requires a deep understanding of the organization's business objectives, market conditions, and supplier capabilities. It also requires strong analytical and negotiation skills to ensure that the organization achieves the best possible value for its procurement spend. Inventory management can be used in a variety of contexts, including private sector organizations, public sector organizations, and not-for-profit organizations. It can be applied to a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, retail, and healthcare. The inventory management process typically involves a cross-functional team, including representatives from the procurement, finance, and operations departments. This team works together to manage inventory levels, including the acquisition, storage, and distribution of goods. Inventory management can also involve the use of various tools and techniques, such as inventory analysis, supplier performance management, and distribution planning. These tools and techniques can help organizations to optimize their inventory management processes and achieve better outcomes. The inventory management process can be complex and time-consuming, requiring significant resources and expertise. However, the benefits of inventory management can be substantial, including cost savings, improved quality, and increased efficiency.

    Inventory management can help organizations to reduce their inventory levels, which can lead to cost savings and improved efficiency. It can also help organizations to improve their inventory turnover, which can lead to improved quality and increased efficiency. Effective inventory management can also help organizations to reduce their risk exposure, including the risk of inventory obsolescence and inventory damage. Inventory management can also involve the use of various technologies, such as inventory management software and radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags. These technologies can help organizations to optimize their inventory management processes and achieve better outcomes. The inventory management process can be influenced by a range of factors, including market conditions, supplier capabilities, and customer demand. Organizations that adopt a strategic approach to inventory management can achieve a range of benefits, including improved procurement outcomes, increased efficiency, and reduced risk exposure. Inventory management can also help organizations to build stronger relationships with their suppliers, which can lead to improved collaboration and innovation. By working closely with suppliers, organizations can identify opportunities for cost savings, improved quality, and increased efficiency, and work together to achieve these benefits. The inventory management process can be complex and time-consuming, requiring significant resources and expertise. However, the benefits of inventory management can be substantial, including cost savings, improved quality, and increased efficiency.

    Logistics and Transportation

    Logistics and transportation are critical components of supply chain management. They involve the management of the flow of goods, services, and information from raw materials to end customers. The logistics and transportation process typically involves several stages, including procurement, production, logistics, and distribution. The procurement stage involves the acquisition of raw materials and goods from external sources. The production stage involves the transformation of raw materials into finished goods. The logistics stage involves the transportation and storage of goods. The distribution stage involves the delivery of goods to end customers. Logistics and transportation can help organizations to achieve a range of benefits, including cost savings, improved quality, and increased efficiency. They can also help organizations to reduce their risk exposure and improve their supply chain resilience. Effective logistics and transportation require a deep understanding of the organization's business objectives, market conditions, and supplier capabilities. They also require strong analytical and negotiation skills to ensure that the organization achieves the best possible value for its procurement spend. Logistics and transportation can be used in a variety of contexts, including private sector organizations, public sector organizations, and not-for-profit organizations. They can be applied to a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, retail, and healthcare.

    Logistics and transportation can help organizations to reduce their transportation costs, which can lead to cost savings and improved efficiency. They can also help organizations to improve their transportation efficiency, which can lead to improved quality and increased efficiency. Effective logistics and transportation can also help organizations to reduce their risk exposure, including the risk of transportation delays and transportation damage. Logistics and transportation can also involve the use of various technologies, such as transportation management software and global positioning system (GPS) tracking. These technologies can help organizations to optimize their logistics and transportation processes and achieve better outcomes. The logistics and transportation process can be influenced by a range of factors, including market conditions, supplier capabilities, and customer demand. Organizations that adopt a strategic approach to logistics and transportation can achieve a range of benefits, including improved procurement outcomes, increased efficiency, and reduced risk exposure. Logistics and transportation can also help organizations to build stronger relationships with their suppliers, which can lead to improved collaboration and innovation. By working closely with suppliers, organizations can identify opportunities for cost savings, improved quality, and increased efficiency, and work together to achieve these benefits. The logistics and transportation process can be complex and time-consuming, requiring significant resources and expertise. However, the benefits of logistics and transportation can be substantial, including cost savings, improved quality, and increased efficiency.

    Procurement Technology

    Procurement technology is a critical component of logistics and procurement strategy development. It involves the use of various tools and techniques to optimize the procurement process, including e-procurement software, procurement analytics, and contract management software. Procurement technology can help organizations to achieve a range of benefits, including cost savings, improved quality, and increased efficiency. It can also help organizations to reduce their risk exposure and improve their supply chain resilience. Effective procurement technology requires a deep understanding of the organization's business objectives, market conditions, and supplier capabilities. It also requires strong analytical and negotiation skills to ensure that the organization achieves the best possible value for its procurement spend. Procurement technology can be used in a variety of contexts, including private sector organizations, public sector organizations, and not-for-profit organizations. It can be applied to a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, retail, and healthcare. The procurement technology process typically involves a cross-functional team, including representatives from the procurement, finance, and operations departments. This team works together to identify and evaluate potential procurement technologies, and to implement and manage these technologies. Procurement technology can also involve the use of various tools and techniques, such as procurement analytics, supplier performance management, and contract management. These tools and techniques can help organizations to optimize their procurement processes and achieve better outcomes.

    E-Procurement

    E-procurement is a key component of procurement technology. It involves the use of electronic systems to manage the procurement process, including online auctions, electronic requests for proposal (RFPs), and electronic contracts. E-procurement can help organizations to achieve a range of benefits, including cost savings, improved quality, and increased efficiency. It can also help organizations to reduce their risk exposure and improve their supply chain resilience. Effective e-procurement requires a deep understanding of the organization's business objectives, market conditions, and supplier capabilities. It also requires strong analytical and negotiation skills to ensure that the organization achieves the best possible value for its procurement spend. E-procurement can be used in a variety of contexts, including private sector organizations, public sector organizations, and not-for-profit organizations. It can be applied to a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, retail, and healthcare. The e-procurement process typically involves a cross-functional team, including representatives from the procurement, finance, and operations departments. This team works together to identify and evaluate potential e-procurement systems, and to implement and manage these systems. E-procurement can also involve the use of various tools and techniques, such as online auctions, electronic RFPs, and electronic contracts. These tools and techniques can help organizations to optimize their procurement processes and achieve better outcomes. The e-procurement process can be complex and time-consuming, requiring significant resources and expertise. However, the benefits of e-procurement can be substantial, including cost savings, improved quality, and increased efficiency.

    E-procurement can help organizations to reduce their procurement costs, which can lead to cost savings and improved efficiency. It can also help organizations to improve their procurement efficiency, which can lead to improved quality and increased efficiency. Effective e-procurement can also help organizations to reduce their risk exposure, including the risk of procurement errors and procurement delays. E-procurement can also involve the use of various technologies, such as online auction software and electronic contract management software. These technologies can help organizations to optimize their e-procurement processes and achieve better outcomes. The e-procurement process can be influenced by a range of factors, including market conditions, supplier capabilities, and customer demand. Organizations that adopt a strategic approach to e-procurement can achieve a range of benefits, including improved procurement outcomes, increased efficiency, and reduced risk exposure. E-procurement can also help organizations to build stronger relationships with their suppliers, which can lead to improved collaboration and innovation. By working closely with suppliers, organizations can identify opportunities for cost savings, improved quality, and increased efficiency, and work together to achieve these benefits. The e-procurement process can be complex and time-consuming, requiring significant resources and expertise. However, the benefits of e-procurement can be substantial, including cost savings, improved quality, and increased efficiency.

    Contract Lifecycle Management

    Contract lifecycle management is another key component of procurement technology. It involves the management of contracts from creation to close-out, including contract authoring, contract execution, and contract analysis. Contract lifecycle management can help organizations to achieve a range of benefits, including cost savings, improved quality, and increased efficiency. It can also help organizations to reduce their risk exposure and improve their supply chain resilience. Effective contract lifecycle management requires a deep understanding of the organization's business objectives, market conditions, and supplier capabilities. It also requires strong analytical and negotiation skills to ensure that the organization achieves the best possible value for its procurement spend. Contract lifecycle management can be used in a variety of contexts, including private sector organizations, public sector organizations, and not-for-profit organizations. It can be applied to a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, retail, and healthcare. The contract lifecycle management process typically involves a cross-functional team, including representatives from the procurement, finance, and operations departments. This team works together to identify and evaluate potential contract management systems, and to implement and manage these systems. Contract lifecycle management can also involve the use of various tools and techniques, such as contract authoring software, contract execution software, and contract analysis software. These tools and techniques can help organizations to optimize their contract management processes and achieve better outcomes.

    Contract lifecycle management can help organizations to reduce their contract management costs, which can lead to cost savings and improved efficiency. It can also help organizations to improve their contract management efficiency, which can lead to improved quality and increased efficiency. Effective contract lifecycle management can also help organizations to reduce their risk exposure, including the risk of contract errors and contract disputes. Contract lifecycle management can also involve the use of various technologies, such as contract management software and contract analytics software. These technologies can help organizations to optimize their contract management processes and achieve better outcomes. The contract lifecycle management process can be influenced by a range of factors, including market conditions, supplier capabilities, and customer demand. Organizations that adopt a strategic approach to contract lifecycle management can achieve a range of benefits, including improved procurement outcomes, increased efficiency, and reduced risk exposure. Contract lifecycle management can also help organizations to build stronger relationships with their suppliers, which can lead to improved collaboration and innovation. By working closely with suppliers, organizations can identify opportunities for cost savings, improved quality, and increased efficiency, and work together to achieve these benefits. The contract lifecycle management process can be complex and time-consuming, requiring significant resources and expertise. However, the benefits of contract lifecycle management can be substantial, including cost savings, improved quality, and increased efficiency.

    Global Sourcing

    Global sourcing is a critical component of logistics and procurement strategy development. It involves the acquisition of goods and services from suppliers located in other countries. Global sourcing can help organizations to achieve a range of benefits, including cost savings, improved quality, and increased efficiency. It can also help organizations to reduce their risk exposure and improve their supply chain resilience. Effective global sourcing requires a deep understanding of the organization's business objectives, market conditions, and supplier capabilities. It also requires strong analytical and negotiation skills to ensure that the organization achieves the best possible value for its procurement spend. Global sourcing can be used in a variety of contexts, including private sector organizations, public sector organizations, and not-for-profit organizations. It can be applied to a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, retail, and healthcare. The global sourcing process typically involves a cross-functional team, including representatives from the procurement, finance, and operations departments. This team works together to identify and evaluate potential global suppliers, and to implement and manage global sourcing arrangements. Global sourcing can also involve the use of various tools and techniques, such as global supplier management, international logistics, and global contract management. These tools and techniques can help organizations to optimize their global sourcing processes and achieve better outcomes.

    International Logistics

    International logistics is a key component of global sourcing. It involves the management of the flow of goods and services across international borders, including customs clearance, transportation, and warehousing. International logistics can help organizations to achieve a range of benefits, including cost savings, improved quality, and increased efficiency. It can also help organizations to reduce their risk exposure and improve their supply chain resilience. Effective international logistics requires a deep understanding of the organization's business objectives, market conditions, and supplier capabilities. It also requires strong analytical and negotiation skills to ensure that the organization achieves the best possible value for its procurement spend. International logistics can be used in a variety of contexts, including private sector organizations, public sector organizations, and not-for-profit organizations. It can be applied to a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, retail, and healthcare. The international logistics process typically involves a cross-functional team, including representatives from the procurement, finance, and operations departments. This team works together to identify and evaluate potential international logistics providers, and to implement and manage international logistics arrangements. International logistics can also involve the use of various tools and techniques, such as transportation management software, warehouse management software, and customs clearance software. These tools and techniques can help organizations to optimize their international logistics processes and achieve better outcomes.

    International logistics can help organizations to reduce their transportation costs, which can lead to cost savings and improved efficiency. It can also help organizations to improve their transportation efficiency, which can lead to improved quality and increased efficiency. Effective international logistics can also help organizations to reduce their risk exposure, including the risk of transportation delays and transportation damage. International logistics can also involve the use of various technologies, such as global positioning system (GPS) tracking and radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags. These technologies can help organizations to optimize their international logistics processes and achieve better outcomes. The international logistics process can be influenced by a range of factors, including market conditions, supplier capabilities, and customer demand. Organizations that adopt a strategic approach to international logistics can achieve a range of benefits, including improved procurement outcomes, increased efficiency, and reduced risk exposure. International logistics can also help organizations to build stronger relationships with their suppliers, which can lead to improved collaboration and innovation. By working closely with suppliers, organizations can identify opportunities for cost savings, improved quality, and increased efficiency, and work together to achieve these benefits. The international logistics process can be complex and time-consuming, requiring significant resources and expertise. However, the benefits of international logistics can be substantial, including cost savings, improved quality, and increased efficiency.

    Global Supplier Management

    Global supplier management is another key component of global sourcing. It involves the management of supplier relationships across international borders, including supplier selection, supplier development, and supplier performance management. Global supplier management can help organizations to achieve a range of benefits, including cost savings, improved quality, and increased efficiency. It can also help organizations to reduce their risk exposure and improve their supply chain resilience. Effective global supplier management requires a deep understanding of the organization's business objectives, market conditions, and supplier capabilities. It also requires strong analytical and negotiation skills to ensure that the organization achieves the best possible value for its procurement spend. Global supplier management can be used in a variety of contexts, including private sector organizations, public sector organizations, and not-for-profit organizations. It can be applied to a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, retail, and healthcare. The global supplier management process typically involves a cross-functional team, including representatives from the procurement, finance, and operations departments. This team works together to identify and evaluate potential global suppliers, and to implement and manage global supplier arrangements. Global supplier management can also involve the use of various tools and techniques, such as supplier performance management software, supplier development programs, and global contract management software. These tools and techniques can help organizations to optimize their global supplier management processes and achieve better outcomes.

    Global supplier management can help organizations to reduce their supplier management costs, which can lead to cost savings and improved efficiency. It can also help organizations to improve their supplier management efficiency, which can lead to improved quality and increased efficiency. Effective global supplier management can also help organizations to reduce their risk exposure, including the risk of supplier errors and supplier disputes. Global supplier management can also involve the use of various technologies, such as supplier performance management software and global contract management software. These technologies can help organizations to optimize their global supplier management processes and achieve better outcomes. The global supplier management process can be influenced by a range of factors, including market conditions, supplier capabilities, and customer demand. Organizations that adopt a strategic approach to global supplier management can achieve a range of benefits, including improved procurement outcomes, increased efficiency, and reduced risk exposure. Global supplier management can also help organizations to build stronger relationships with their suppliers, which can lead to improved collaboration and innovation. By working closely with suppliers, organizations can identify opportunities for cost savings, improved quality, and increased efficiency, and work together to achieve these benefits. The global supplier management process can be complex and time-consuming, requiring significant resources and expertise. However, the benefits of global supplier management can be substantial, including cost savings, improved quality, and increased efficiency.

    Keywords