Strategic Procurement Objectives and Examples for Educational Organizations
Here’s a stark warning from your peers: According to Strata, 56% of senior leaders in higher education believe their academic institution won’t be viable in the next five to 10 years. They simply don’t believe the current business model is sustainable. That’s frightening. As colleges and universities face unprecedented (and increased) pressure to reduce costs, […]
Strategic Sourcing vs Procurement: Understanding the Key Differences
In higher education, two terms are often used interchangeably: strategic sourcing and procurement. On the surface, they appear very similar. After all, both involve suppliers, contracts, and purchasing decisions. It’s no wonder many say that strategic sourcing is almost the same as procurement. So, let’s define both and discuss when to use each approach. Defining […]
Strategic vs Tactical Procurement: When to Use Each Approach
While we’re seeing some moderation in inflation, prices are still significantly higher in most cases. Coupled with budget cutbacks, it makes procurement more challenging than ever. Consider this: The University of California has one of the largest university systems in the country, with 10 campuses and nearly 300,000 students. In a 2025 survey of UC’s […]
Strategic Sourcing and Procurement Integration for Supply Chain Success
That to-do list on your desk seems to grow longer every day: Reduce costs Manage compliance Advance institutional priorities Source innovative solutions Analyze data and report Improve risk management Develop deeper supplier relationships In reality, we could probably fill this page with what the expectations are and still not capture everything you need to […]
The Complete Guide to Strategic Procurement: Solutions, Planning, and Best Practices
We’ve entered unprecedented territory. According to Deloitte, two-thirds of higher education finance professionals believe the current business model will become unsustainable over the next 5 to 10 years. Despite best efforts, there are challenges to the status quo, requiring a more serious look at spending and planning. It’s not theoretical, and some academic institutions aren’t […]
What is a Supplier Inclusion Program? A Reference Guide for Educational Institutions
Procurement teams work extra hard these days, balancing budget constraints, compliance, and institutional missions. Despite shifting political winds, building a diverse supplier base remains part of the mix by strengthening supply chain options, procurement teams can broadening supplier bases to avoid future supply chain disruptions and provide economic impact to local communities by adding local, […]
Sustainable Procurement Best Practices: Requirements and Implementation Guide
Procurement teams play a pivotal role in environmental stewardship for their colleges and university students, faculty, and staff. Their decisions shape campus carbon footprints, grant competitiveness, and institutional reputations. In this article, we’ll look at the benefits of promoting sustainability and sustainable procurement best practices in higher ed. What Is Sustainable Procurement? Sustainable procurement integrates […]
Building Inclusive Supply Chains: Diversity and Inclusion Programs
Colleges and universities face a procurement environment that’s shaped by inflation, political scrutiny of a variety of campus initiatives, and ongoing supply chain disruptions. Building resilience and agility has become essential. One strategy increasingly recognized as both mission-aligned and pragmatic is developing supplier inclusion in supply chains. A strong focus on supplier inclusion ensures you […]
Why Supplier Inclusion Matters: Understanding Importance and Benefits
The political climate these days is in flux. In response, nearly 90 colleges and universities have rebranded their DEI offices. Nearly 80 have closed them altogether in response to the current sentiment in DC. In procurement, however, supplier inclusion is not DEI and DEI is not supplier inclusion. They are two entirely separate concepts that […]
A Guide to Building Sustainable Procurement and Supplier Inclusion Programs
Higher education is under significant pressure these days to reduce costs while addressing climate change, equity, and compliance requirements. Procurement teams are at the center of these challenges and often under the microscope to meet a long list of demands, some of which conflict with each other. It’s a challenge, especially in the current environment […]