The Client
A medium-sized food producer based in southern Germany was struggling with rising raw material prices, unreliable suppliers, and inefficient purchasing processes. The internal purchasing organization was operationally overloaded and strategically underdeveloped. To ensure security of supply, reduce costs, and realign the purchasing strategy, an experienced interim purchasing manager with in-depth industry knowledge and expertise in interim management was brought in.
The Challenge
The purchasing department was highly reactive and unable to meet the demands of a dynamic raw materials market. There was a lack of structured processes, uniform contract standards, and a strategic view of supplier development and price negotiations. The lack of transparency regarding purchasing volumes and conditions led to unnecessary costs and risks in supply. The goal was to stabilize the purchasing organization in the short term, professionalize it in the medium term, and establish a robust purchasing strategy for the food market in the long term.
The Solution
The interim head of purchasing worked with the internal team to implement the following measures:
- Introduction of centralized supplier management with an evaluation system and regular audits.
- Bundling of purchasing volumes to leverage economies of scale,
- Introduction of digital contract management for better control of terms and conditions,
- Optimization of price negotiations through market analysis and benchmarking,
- Development of strategic purchasing planning with a focus on critical raw materials and seasonal fluctuations.
At the same time, internal processes were documented, responsibilities were redefined, and cooperation with production and quality assurance was intensified.
The Results
The following results were achieved within nine months:
- 6% reduction in purchasing costs through targeted negotiations and volume bundling,
- Improved supply security through structured supplier management,
- Introduction of transparent purchasing controlling with monthly reporting,
- Strengthening of internal cooperation between purchasing, production, and quality assurance,
- Development of a strategic purchasing roadmap for the coming fiscal years.
The food producer was able to professionalize its purchasing organization in the long term and now has a resilient structure in place to proactively respond to market changes and ensure competitiveness in the SME sector.
Looking for experienced interim leaders to drive transformation and ensure business success? Contact Dr. Thorsten Dörr, Managing Partner at Boyden Interim Management, to explore tailored solutions for your organization.
