In today’s volatile global marketplace, procurement and supply chain silos are no longer tenable. For mid-level and senior professionals, effectively bridging these gaps isn’t just about cost savings, it’s about unlocking responsiveness, agility, and long-term resilience. This blog explores how you can do exactly that, strategically, collaboratively, and with clarity.

Forge alignment with shared objectives

Misalignment often stems from differing KPIs. Procurement may focus on cost and supplier performance, while supply chain emphasizes delivery reliability and agility. Aligning these through shared metrics, like “total cost of fulfilment,” “supplier-inbound lead time,” or “supply resilience index”, creates mutual ownership and strategic cohesion.

Develop cross-functional “Bridge” roles

Consider embedding roles like Supply Chain Liaison within procurement teams, or vice versa. These professionals act as translators and coordinators, ensuring:

• Sourcing strategies align with logistical realities (e.g., packaging constraints, lead-time buffers)
• Inventory decisions reflect supplier reliability and risk profiles
• Communications between departments remain continuous, transparent, and proactive

Cultivate collaborative supplier partnerships

Cost is important, but over-reliance on transactional supplier relationships can amplify risk. Mature partnerships, on the other hand, foster agility and innovation.

• Invite strategic suppliers into joint planning, like demand-forecast reviews or risk-workshops.
• Develop mutually beneficial KPIs, such as “on-time in-full,” “innovation contribution,” or “sustainability metrics.”
• Jointly plan for contingencies and capacity ramp-ups.

Lead change with strategic communication

Communication bridges gaps, only when structured, meaningful, and transparent.

• Establish regular “Procurement-Supply Chain Roundtables” featuring leadership, planners, buyers, and logistics.
• Share performance dashboards, risk maps, and improvement initiatives transparently.
• Frame these gatherings as opportunities for shared strategy, not blame.

Institutionalise continuous improvement

Bridging gaps shouldn't be a one-time fix, it should evolve relentlessly.

• Run periodic retrospectives post major events (e.g., key launches, disruptions) to analyze what worked and what didn’t.
• Use insights to refine processes, adjust KPIs, and update systems.
• Celebrate successes, like improved fill rates or cost avoidance, as tangible wins.

For mid-level and senior professionals, bridging the procurement and supply chain gap is less about tactics and more about culture, alignment, and shared foresight. By:

• Harmonizing KPIs,
• Embedding liaison roles,
• Elevating digital transparency,
• Nurturing supplier partnerships,
• Leading through structured communication, and
• Embedding continuous improvement

you’re not just bridging a gap, you’re building a resilient, forward-looking organization. That’s the kind of collective leadership that stands out and endures.

Ready to bridge the gap in your procurement and supply chain teams?
If you’re looking to align objectives, strengthen collaboration, and build resilience across your function, our team is here to help. Get in touch with Will Terry to explore how we can support you in turning cross-functional challenges into long-term strategic wins.

E: Will.terry@procurement-people.com | UK: 0121 450 5000 | US: +(512) 410 52311