Profile of travel procurement professional shows value of expertise
By Susan Avery -- Purchasing, 1/12/2009 1:35:00 PM
Purchasing’s new profile of the travel procurement professional shows that management values these individuals for their negotiating and supplier relationship management skills at a time when managing travel costs is a top priority.
Seventy-five percent of respondents to the reader survey have had responsibility for the travel spend at their companies for more than one year. Thirteen percent have been involved in the buy for more than 10 years.
Travel procurement professionals say their companies value purchasing for its skill set. Says one survey respondent, “Procurement involvement is important to the travel category because of the broad and encompassing view of the total company spend, advanced knowledge of the market so as to effectively negotiate, as well as overall sourcing expertise in supplier evaluation, selection and performance management.”
Negotiating contracts with suppliers of travel services is the number-one job for 91% of survey respondents. Another 87% say they are responsible for selecting suppliers. Managing relationships with suppliers is a third area that comes under purchasing’s purview, says 84% of respondents.
Travel procurement professionals manage suppliers of these travel services: car rental companies (98%), hotels (97%), airlines (96%), travel management companies (82%), T&E cards (59%), meetings and events planning companies (46%) and expense reporting software (36%).
See also:
NBTA 2008 presents an opportunity for travel procurement to make a difference
Now Playing: 