What makes a Procurement Professional?

In the process of planning for 2010 procurement (read:  recession-related cost containment) strategies several of my colleagues and I are asking our business partners for ideas.  You know, voice of the customer.  I am amazed at the emerging list of great opportunities, even though we have focused on aggressive targets for several years running.   As we progress our ideas become more sophisticated, more valuable.  The need for expert procurement is as strong as ever, but I see the role changing and maturing.

Many talented people play a role in the field of procurement.  We have sourcing pros, buyers, negotiators, contract managers, vendor managers, the list goes on.  But what makes a true procurement professional?  Knowing what to do in your job is simply a ticket for admission.  Knowing how to help your company succeed and really deliver value is different.  Our profession is in the business of enabling sound decisions and managing using great tools and processes.  Our job is people.

Take a moment to reflect and assess the last six months.  How much of your time was spent working projects?  How much did you devote to engaging people?  Did you dedicate time to teaching others what you know?  Do you feel successful in your efforts to influence the company’s procurement-related decisions? Are you happy with how your time was spent?
Many of our colleagues have ties to, and dependencies on, vendors.  Are you equipping those around you to be successful with those dependencies?  Comment here and share your strategies and successes with helping those around you build procurement-related skills.  What methods help you help those around you?  Do you have amusing experiences with strategies that didn’t work?  What did you learn from successful or failed strategies?

It’s time for procurement experts to lead, let’s focus on investing in those around us.  Step one is to share with ourselves.  All comments are welcome.