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ISPnext-5194

The challenge of procurement: making results visible and measurable

11 September 2025

Procurement is playing an increasingly important role within organisations. Whereas transactions and cost reduction used to be the main focus, procurement is now expected to actively contribute to broader business objectives. And rightly so: procurement has a significant impact on business performance. Yet many teams struggle with the same question: how can you make performance truly measurable and visible without getting caught up in endless discussions?

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The discussion: what constitutes a saving?

The problem is familiar. You report a saving or other result, but almost immediately the questions arise: where does this figure come from, who approved it and why is it not yet in the accounts? Without clear definitions and central recording, there will always be room for discussion. The result: results are recognised too late or not at all.  That is why there is a need for an approach that brings transparency and structure.  

Procurement Team Management offers exactly that. All initiatives are recorded as “events”, including a timeline and pre-agreed definitions. This allows you to see at a glance when a performance becomes measurable and prevents confusion between Procurement and Finance. Because definitions and calculations are agreed in advance, there is one truth and no need for subsequent corrections.

What you don't see also counts

It is also important to note that performance is not just about hard figures. Lower prices or volumes are easy to measure, of course, but there are also soft benefits that are just as important. Think of suppliers who deliver more reliably, better contract terms or less liability. These improvements may not be immediately visible in the P&L, but they do contribute to stability, cooperation and the achievement of ESG goals. The well-known Procurement Iceberg model shows how large that hidden part below the waterline is. With Procurement Team Management, you can make that visible. 

Maarten de Ru ISPnext Hexagon
“Without clear definitions and centralised recording, there will always be room for debate.”

- Maarten de Ru, Director Partners & Alliances | ISPnext

Application for different roles

The added value varies depending on the role. For procurement managers, it provides structure and evidence: negotiations are not just about price, but also about delivery reliability, digital processes and contract terms. All these results are recorded and validated, so you always have a strong case to present to Finance and management. For Finance, it mainly means peace of mind and control: managing based on facts rather than assumptions. Because everything is defined and recorded in advance, reports become transparent and the need for endless corrections disappears.

Vendor Management as a foundation

The basis for all this is up-to-date supplier management. Without a reliable overview of suppliers, contracts and performance, insight remains limited. Procurement Team Management links this data in a single system and connects it directly to performance. This not only captures value, but also conveys it convincingly within the organisation. 

Make performance tangible

In short: do you want to make procurement performance tangible and convincingly visible? Then Procurement Team Management offers the structure, transparency and collaboration needed to turn results into more than just figures. 

Vendor Management in 5 steps

Optimise your supplier management! Download our white paper and discover five concrete steps to gain insight into supplier performance, manage risks and realise cost savings.
Mockup_Preview_Vendor Management in 5 stappen (ENG)-1
Maarten-de-Ru

About the author

Maarten de Ru

Director Partners & Alliances

Maarten de Ru is Director Partners & Alliances and responsible for building and strengthening strategic partnerships. With his extensive experience, he ensures the development of valuable partner relationships and the creation of growth opportunities within the network. His expertise lies at the intersection of business development, strategic partnership management and operational optimisation.

FAQ

Did you already know this?

Procurement Team Management enables Procurement to demonstrate how initiatives contribute to broader business objectives such as innovation, sustainability, and risk management. This goes beyond cost reduction: it positions the department as a strategic partner for senior management.
Yes. In addition to financial savings, Procurement Team Management also provides insight into issues such as delivery reliability, contract quality and sustainability. This enables the department to demonstrate how it contributes to long-term value and continuity, even if this is not directly reflected in the accounts.
Because the performance of each team member is made transparent, the procurement manager can substantiate the capacity needed to achieve goals. This transforms Procurement Team Management into a tool for both performance and resource management.
Because all results are centrally recorded and validated, there is no room for discussion afterwards. Procurement can report with confidence and is recognised as a department that delivers demonstrable value. This strengthens its internal reputation and increases support for future initiatives.
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