At The Build Chain, we’ve built a digital construction materials procurement platform that increases efficiency, speeds up the process of sourcing materials, and combats ongoing industry challenges, including poor product availability and price inflation
Like many industries, there is some anxiety across the construction sector that technological advancements threaten jobs.
However, we designed our platform to assist people in their tasks, improve working methods, and provide valuable insights.
This allows skilled professionals to focus on the most important parts of their job that digital solutions will never be able to replace.
Overall, we feel that technological innovation will enhance procurement professionals’ abilities to do their jobs and improve how the construction industry works. Here’s why.
How technological innovation is positively impacting the construction industry
Digital is creating new job opportunities, simplifying processes, and enhancing workers’ abilities to perform their roles in the construction industry.
Whilst new technology is certainly reshaping traditional job roles, it is also creating opportunities for employees to adapt, upskill, and find a new place within the evolving landscape.
For example, increasing reliance on technology creates demand for professionals capable of maintaining, managing, and troubleshooting complex systems.
Other benefits of digital solutions can include:
- Increased productivity
- Cost savings
- Improved project planning & management
- Better quality control
- Enhanced sustainability
- Enablement of remote collaboration
- Data-driven insights
Using digital to make materials procurement more efficient
Digital solutions complement the work of buyers, commercial teams, and other procurement professionals by making tasks easier and more efficient.
They can automate time-consuming and repetitive tasks like phoning multiple suppliers to make enquiries.
By improving the process of finding suppliers, procurement teams are then free to focus on the other parts of their role, including strategic and value-adding activities like building positive relationships with their supply chain.
Technological advancements increase transparency for enhanced decision-making
The use of technology in construction procurement can improve the visibility of key information, which in turn enables improved decision-making.
This greatly assists procurement professionals by reducing errors and enhancing their ability to analyse supplier performance and monitor market trends.
Procurement professionals will still be required to truly make the most of this improved access to accurate procurement data.
Although digital data collection and accuracy are much simpler, the human element of interpreting this data and taking advantage of the insights it can provide is invaluable.
Enhancing supplier relationship management with digital
Digital solutions can be used to manage supplier relationships more effectively. By providing a consolidated view of supplier performance, procurement teams have the time to collaborate with suppliers to achieve mutual benefits.
Whilst technology can make some aspects of supplier relationship management easier, it will never replace the buying teams’ ability to engage in complex negotiations and the need for human judgement and understanding of market dynamics.
Futureproofing procurement roles
Because the construction industry is embracing new technologies to enhance its operations, gaining experience in using digital tools will ensure procurement skills remain sought-after in the evolving industry landscape.
Software like our digital procurement platform can promote professional growth by exposing procurement teams to new processes, data-driven decision making, and innovative practices.
The expertise and unique contributions of procurement professionals within the construction industry remain irreplaceable.
Although digital transformation is reshaping procurement, technological innovation will never entirely negate the need for experienced professionals in this area.
Procurement teams that embrace the changes facing the industry and seek to enhance their skillset with digital knowledge will enjoy greater future success and reap benefits like increased productivity, reduced costs, and quicker material sourcing, contributing to the overall success of construction projects.
