When it comes to running a successful business, procurement is a crucial function that can make or break your bottom line. It involves strategic planning, analysis, and negotiation to ensure that you are getting the best quality products or services at the most competitive price. By managing the procurement process effectively, you can optimize your supply chain, reduce costs, and maintain strong relationships with your suppliers.
Far too often, however, procurement departments are overworked and understaffed. With limited resources at their disposal, practitioners are constantly questioning how they will accomplish the tasks on their list, if organizational goals will be met, and how much of an impact they'll truly be able to make.
Getting help where help is needed
Thankfully, procurement professionals don't have to do everything on their own. If building out an entire team and delegating categories and tasks isn't feasible, there are other resources available. Utilizing these tools can drastically reduce the stressors that come along with developing and implementing a complete procurement strategy.
Outsourcing certain procurement processes to a third party like a consultant or group purchasing organization has numerous benefits that make it an appealing option for businesses. First and foremost, it allows companies to tap into specialized expertise that may not be available in-house. These third-party providers often have a deep understanding of the industry and supplier landscape, which enables them to negotiate better deals and streamline procurement processes.
Additionally, outsourcing procurement can lead to significant cost savings in the long run. By leveraging the purchasing power and economies of scale of a GPO in particular, businesses can secure better pricing and better terms from suppliers, resulting in lower overall costs for the company. Your valuable time and internal resources are now free to be redirected towards other strategic initiatives.
A group purchasing organization like Una has the ability to take an advisory approach to procurement, helping you secure favorable contract terms and better pricing, while allowing your team to focus on other strategic initiatives.
An advisory approach to procurement
Group purchasing organizations (GPOs) work to negotiate contracts with suppliers to secure group buying discounts for their members. These organizations are typically composed of members from various industries who come together to leverage their purchasing power to secure more favorable terms from suppliers. Originally utilized by hospitals and other public sector entities, the concept of using a group purchasing organization is now making waves within the private sector, as well.
Any business, regardless of size or industry, can take advantage of everything a GPO has to offer. As an added benefit, many GPOs are starting to take an advisory approach to procurement. This means that they are offering a range of services to their members that go well beyond cost savings to include market intelligence, sourcing support, and supplier management services. By providing these services, GPOs can help their members make more informed procurement decisions and achieve better outcomes.
Finding the right GPO partner
It's important to remember that the point of bringing in a consultant or partnering with a GPO is to enhance or complement the work you've put into developing a procurement strategy.
As a GPO, Una understands where we fit in - and where we don't. Group purchasing will most likely not be the best fit for the majority of your direct categories. Your in-house procurement team is probably already focused on building strong supplier relationships and securing best-in-class pricing with those suppliers to effectively manage these larger amounts of spend.
Indirect spend categories, however, are often neglected by procurement teams for various reasons. Depending on company size, this means that tens if not hundreds of thousands of dollars are going left unmanaged. Your organization is also losing out on additional cost savings and value hidden within these categories.
Partnering with the right GPO will help optimize your existing procurement strategy in a way that leads to increased cost savings and better overall spend management.
Partnering with the right GPO will help optimize your existing procurement strategy in a way that leads to increased cost savings and better overall spend management.
The Una Difference
Group purchasing can be a complex process and not all GPO partners are created equal. At Una, our team stands out from the competition with our strong values, community involvement, and commitment to providing outstanding service.
While other GPOs may focus solely on the bottom line, we prioritize our members' success and take an advisory approach to procurement. We pride ourselves on providing personalized solutions to help businesses achieve significant cost savings. Our team of expert professionals has the experience and dedication to build partnerships with businesses and help them thrive.
At Una, we view ourselves as an extension of your procurement team and are here to educate, advise, and enable your success.
When you join Una, here's what you can expect:
Free Membership
Membership is free to join and free to use - always.
No Contracts or Exclusivities
Members are not required to purchase from certain suppliers or commit to a specified purchase volume.
Dedicated Account Managers
Our focis is on building strong relationships with you at a pace that keeps everything moving towards your goals.
Personalized Consulting
We'll identify blind spots within your spend visibility, review spending, and find additional savings opportunities.
Education
We'll provide additional resources to help you understand what a GPO is and how we can save you money.
Spend Analytics & Reporting
We work closely with you to understand your goals and present a strategic plan and long-term strategy unique to your needs.
Unique Contract Offerings
Members have access to over 5,000 contracts and we'll will work to pursue others that may meet your needs.
Supplier Relationship Management
Our suppliers treat our members well, and we are able to accomplish our goals faster, more smoothly, and more efficiently.
Regular Check-Ins
Una provides regular reviews and check-ins regarding your spend to find additional savings opportunities for you.
Speed to Service
Our commitment to responsiveness means we deliver at a pace that sets us apart.
In the end, they way we work together is designed to offer you turn-key procurement solutions that empower you to achieve category quick wins, and then work to establish long-term strategies that make your business more profitable.
Learn more about membership and Una's advisory approach to procurement:
