Keelvar, the leading global provider of autonomous sourcing and sourcing optimization solutions, today released the results of its 2023 Voices of Sourcing report. Keelvar’ s research found that 91% of supply chains have been impacted by inflation, which has increased pressure on procurement teams to cut costs. Despite the urgency to control spending, only 12% of procurement and sourcing teams plan to cut budgets for technology and innovation, which shows the criticality of enabling technology in uncertain markets.
“The future of work will be enabled by automation and driven by investment in people, and organizations that can’t see this will lose talent and get hit hard when the market abruptly changes.”
Automation and artificial intelligence will be key drivers for procurement teams in 2023, given many organizations are operating with reduced manpower. Keelvar’ s research found that:
The combination of heavy workloads and fewer resources is leading to an increase in risky behavior: 24% of procurement teams are cutting corners to ensure supply, and 22% are purchasing outside of approved supplier lists.
“Global volatility and inflation have placed procurement teams in the center of volatility,” said Alan Holland, founder and CEO of Keelvar. “Something needs to give -- organizations can’t keep cutting headcount and resources and expect their supply chains and bottom lines to remain intact. Instead of cutting back, leading organizations are investing in AI, workflow automation and other emerging technologies to enable existing teams to navigate the unexpected and be more productive.”
Additional highlights from Keelvar’ s research include:
“Procurement and sourcing teams were short staffed before the market chaos. Leaders must invest in their people and equip their teams with technology to automate tasks and drive better outcomes,” said Holland. “The future of work will be enabled by automation and driven by investment in people, and organizations that can’t see this will lose talent and get hit hard when the market abruptly changes.”
Keelvar’ s research dives deeper into a number of critical topics affecting procurement and sourcing leaders, including disruption, automation, sustainability, and risk. The 2023 Voices of Sourcing survey represents feedback from procurement leaders in industries including retail, consumer goods, pharmaceutical products, industrial manufacturing, automotive manufacturing, shipping, transportation/warehousing and more. Nearly all of the respondents work for supply chain-driven companies, and over 60% for large enterprises.
To read Keelvar’ s 2023 Voices of Sourcing report, visit: http://www.keelvar.com/resources/2023-the-year-of-autonomous-sourcing