Interim management in purchasing

Every company is familiar with transition phases, change, and crises in procurement or other business areas that may be foreseeable but still need to be addressed. Common challenges include cost considerations, supply chain resilience and sustainability, flexibility in the face of industry changes, global market knowledge, data analysis, cross-functional collaboration, and scenario planning. The short-term absence or loss of human resources can also cause considerable difficulties. In these situations, management and HR managers must ask themselves crucial questions: What is the extent and timeframe of the necessary changes? Do we have enough time to hire a suitable manager, or are there urgent problems that need to be solved now? What would be the consequences of a delay in solving the problem? Is our requirement profile for the position already clearly defined, or are there critical transitional issues that must be resolved before a permanent solution can be sought? Does our management level have the expertise to address specific change management issues?

If you answer “no” to several of the questions or conclude that the solution to the problem cannot be postponed, the use of an interim purchasing manager (or interim manager, of course) may be light on the horizon.

Do you need advice or someone to get the job done?

This question is not meant to be disrespectful, but it is necessary. Even if interim managers can provide valuable advice due to their experience and skills, their work differs significantly from that of consultants. In consulting, projects are usually entrusted to people who are external to the company and propose overarching strategies. In contrast, interim managers are temporary executives within the company. They have the operational authority to implement the measures within acting projects directly. Consultants can suggest operational steps necessary for real change, but they need to implement them. Whether a company should use a management consultancy or interim management depends on its specific needs and objectives.

Advantages of Interim Management

Working with temporary procurement managers brings numerous benefits to companies. They can

• be deployed quickly and are often available at short notice.
• take on management tasks such as the management of procurement processes.
• take on several projects at the same time.
• handle critical situations with high pressure.
• contribute their experience and knowledge from other projects and other clients as a valuable addition to existing know-how.
• relieve staff shortages at short notice.
• ensure the achievement of departmental targets.
• and enable a smooth transition to a long-term successor.

The use of interim managers can have a significant impact on the development of a company. Whether it’s bringing in new perspectives or navigating through times of change, using procurement professionals with a wealth of experience is essential not only for the company’s short-term future but also for long-term success, as they can train other team members to drive a business forward successfully.

You can find our services around Interim Management Procurement here. Feel free to book a call with Division Manager Interim Management, Kornelia Jovicic.