Role of Women in Procurement

SAROJ KOUL

PROFESSOR OF OPERATIONS AND SCM, JINDAL GLOBAL BUSINESS SCHOOL- INDIA

• LinkedIn

• Background – Women in the Procurement domain
• Advocating their Role in Procurement
• Spotlight your achievements in this Field
• Opportunities and challenges that a woman faces in this role
• Mantra for women to join the procurement domain as a career

Background – Women in Procurement

• Past few years witnessed renewed efforts at greater gender equality in executive positions. Data is limited, but recent surveys suggest action within the procurement profession (Medland, 2016).
• A 2018 US Fortune 500 survey found 7% of executive procurement positions were filled by women. Globally, the figure is reported as 14%. These low levels come despite women accounting for 37% of university procurement students and 41% of global purchasing institute members (Procurement Leaders, 2018).
• What is also noticeable is that low levels in procurement are not merely low, but lower than in other professions. For example, 21% of US accounting-firm partners, 23% of UK marketing directors, 24% of UK law firm partners, and 55% of US human resource executives are reported to be female (Office of National Statistics, 2018; Burjek and Rafter, 2017).  Extremely low levels in procurement are visible in India.
• Lack of diversity, can cause a loss of organization-specific knowledge (basis high female employee turnover) and adversely affect the wider economy (Krawiec, 2016).  Within the specific procurement context, a case for diversity can also be made. 
• While a contingent approach is required when managing expenditure with suppliers, with a considerable segment of expenditure (often the most critical) requiring long-term collaborative relationships (Kraljic, 1983);  this does not align with the quantitative evidence regarding female attributes flexibility of approach and work preference (McCarty et al., 2014).
• Providing a study is important for two main reasons:
  • existence and causes of low female representation in procurement positions need to be recorded in the procurement literature. It is not only low but lower than in other professions.
  • evidence in the procurement context is necessary to guide remedial action by procurement functions and national procurement institutes.

• Senior Level Positions:   Lead procurement team, Manage Budgets, Develop organization’s purchasing policies, Review Supplier Contracts and manage relationships; Maintain knowledge of market, Analyze bids and quotes with potential suppliers, service agreements and contracts; company budget and streamlining costs
• Mid-level managerial positions:  Identifying potential supplier sources; Managing supplier and vendor contracts; Testing products, Negotiating supply contracts, Creating cost reports; Maintain excellent communication with all business stakeholders, Manage contract development through all lifecycle stages, Provide ongoing assistance to staff on contract development and compliance issues,  Evaluate records for retention in compliance with Board-approved policies
• Business controller: Analyzing and controlling the development of purchase prices, impact from cost down projects and R&D projects, Monthly reports and KPIs regarding procurement, Forecasting the impact with procurement activities and development in purchase prices
• Legal counselor: Provide Legal Guidance, Conduct Legal Research, Draft Legal Correspondence, Ensure compliance with the law

Ample opportunity globally and nationally. Role becoming focused and primary.  

World Bank,  for FY20, lists India as: 

• Procuring Borrower (1^st at 16%)
• Supplier Country (2^nd at 17%)
• Consulting Services (2^nd at 8%) 

Nationally, India spends 1/3 GDP on public spending.  All Sectors positioning  (PSU’s & Private sector) for procurement officers. Minimum qualification:  BE;  MBA; Law

Your essential qualities:

• Passion
• Attitude
• Willingness
• Drive
• Focus

Your important skills:

• Prioritize
• Be responsive to the needs of different agencies
• Practice active listening
• Be objective