The year is winding down and what a year it has been! You’ve completed your self-appraisal and sent it to your boss. Your stakeholders are starting to check out for the holidays, either physically on vacation or mentally. Now is the time for a little self-care. But what does TLC look like for a procurement / sourcing manager?
- Take a vacation from savings. Yes, we’re primarily measured by savings and year-end is typically the time we compute the grand total. However, once you’ve done the math, stop thinking about savings. Sourcing isn’t just about the money. It’s also about helping stakeholders achieve their goals more efficiently and effectively. Make a list of all of the qualitative ways you provided value to stakeholders, such as helping the lab avoid an experiment delay, stretching a protocol budget farther, or saving the day by procuring a back-ordered item.
- Enjoy those baskets. You know the gift baskets I’m talking about. They’re the deliveries that start coming in around Thanksgiving from grateful suppliers or stakeholders, filled with yummy goodies and treats. People send them to your department for you to enjoy, so go and help yourself. Calories don’t count at the holidays, didn’t you know?
- Clean your desk. It sounds silly, but turn on your favorite music or podcast and thoroughly clean and organize your workspace, including the files on your computer and shared drive. It is amazing how good it feels to kick off a new year from a calm, ordered place. While you’re at it, splurge on some new knick-knacks and accessories for your desk. You spend a lot of time there, so give it a little makeover.
- Use your vacation as actual vacation time. Many pharma companies close for two weeks to give their hard-working employees time off. And many of those employees continue to work throughout those two weeks. We’re not saying to shirk responsibilities or leave anyone in the lurch, just realize that time “wasted” is not always wasted time. Spend as many holiday vacation days as possible not answering emails, checking project plans, or reviewing contract terms. They really can wait, and some down-time will do wonders for your productivity when it’s time to jump back in.
Let’s face it, it’s tough out there for sourcing and procurement right now and it’s not getting easier anytime soon. With shippaggedon and supply chain issues, it is a seller’s market where buyers are willing to pay a premium for products that actually arrive somewhat on time and spec. So, take some time to take care of yourself at the holidays. The savings can wait.
