Companies most often turn to interim procurement professionals when they face challenges or situations that call for high-level expertise and an experienced outside perspective at short notice. An interim procurement expert brings expertise and experience into the organisation in situations such as periods of change, during projects, or in tasks that require specialised know-how.
For some companies, interim experts are also a longer-term strategic choice that lightens the organisational structure formed by permanent headcount and the administrative burden that comes with it. The most important qualities for the work of an interim procurement professional relate to the ability to deliver added value quickly and to adapt to changing circumstances.
In this blog post, ValueSource's interim procurement expert Hannu Surakka shares his own story, talks about the qualities the role demands, and lists the kinds of situations where bringing in an interim expert has been the best solution for the client.
The Interim Expert Integrates Into the Client Organisation
Surakka's procurement background is in construction, where he worked as a procurement engineer at a large construction company on new-build projects. His area of responsibility covered the contract and material procurement of projects, and through that work, project procurement became thoroughly familiar over several years. The procurement work was also planned, meaning split out and scheduled, largely by him.
"My current role on a ValueSource client engagement as Project Procurement Manager has been a natural continuation of what came before. The engagement sits within industrial capital investment projects, which has brought interesting variety compared with my previous experience. My role focuses strongly on procurement planning and on securing the baseline information needed for a smooth procurement process. The sheer number of projects means there are many stakeholders around me, which is what keeps the work meaningful to my mind; good interpersonal skills are central to a well-functioning procurement function."
An interim role on a client engagement is typically understood almost without exception as a fixed-term and relatively short period with clear goals.
In Surakka's case, however, the definition of the interim role can be stretched at least to some extent, because to date he has been in the role for around a year and a half. The role is more about integrating as part of the client's own organisation than about delivering a single project in a straight line and then moving on to the next challenges.
"This model has suited me well, and it makes it possible to develop more deeply within the procurement and project work of the sector. With a long engagement, I can focus fully on the client company's day-to-day work, without constantly having to get up to speed on new processes and systems as engagements change. This way the model also delivers added value to the client, as the interim expert keeps developing within the role."
Top 8 Situations Where an Interim Expert Gets the Job Done
1. Periods of Change and Organisational Restructuring
Companies often turn to interim professionals when going through changes such as mergers, acquisitions, or reorganisations. Experts in change management and strategic planning can support these processes and help manage the risks that come with change.
2. The Sudden Loss of a Key Person
When a key person, such as a manager or senior expert, leaves the company or is away temporarily, an interim expert can fill the role and ensure business continuity until a permanent solution is in place.
3. Crisis Management and Problem-Solving
In unexpected crisis situations, such as financial difficulties, supply chain issues, or reputational crises, interim professionals can bring crisis management expertise, stabilise the situation, and propose corrective actions.
4. Project Delivery and Initiatives That Require Specialised Expertise
When a company kicks off a project that calls for specialised know-how, an interim expert can bring along exactly the right expertise, for example in IT system overhauls, production efficiency programmes, or international expansion projects.
5. Building a Growth Strategy or Establishing a New Business Area
When a company is planning growth, expansion into new markets, or the launch of new products, an interim professional can bring along experience from similar situations and help define both the strategy and the action plan.
6. Process Development and Efficiency Improvement
Many companies use interim professionals to streamline processes and develop operations, such as Lean or Six Sigma experts who help improve performance and cost efficiency.
7. Coaching and Development of Employees
Interim professionals can also be used as coaches or mentors when an organisation wants to develop the skills of a team or key people and help them prepare for new roles or responsibilities.
8. Stabilising the Business and Changing Direction
If a company is in a challenging financial situation, or in a market that calls for rapid action to stabilise operations, an interim expert can assess the situation objectively and design a realistic recovery plan.
These situations often call for capabilities that combine experience, strategic thinking, and the ability to deliver tangible results in a short timeframe. That is why interim professionals become a trusted solution for many clients in situations where rapid response and impactful expertise are critical.
For an Adaptable Interim Expert, the Opportunities Are Wide-Ranging
An interim role almost always demands strong adaptability to a shifting environment and the twists that come with it. A new client engagement most often also means new processes, systems, sectors, stakeholders, and often a new workplace culture as well.
In an interim procurement role, collaboration and communication skills take centre stage. With these, taking on the challenges listed above, or rather the variables, generally doesn't become a problem. From time to time, even longer-term engagements can start with a very hectic situation or project, so at least the requirements for getting going are very much the same.
"From an interim expert's perspective, there are several possibilities just in terms of the client project model. At its extremes, an interim role can consist of short-term leadership and development assignments, longer-term engagements that offer opportunities to develop within a particular industry or with a particular client, and of course everything in between. I personally recommend that anyone considering this model should give it a try, precisely because of the huge variety on offer," Surakka says.
The Qualities an Interim Expert Needs
- Rapid adaptability: Interim professionals often work in new environments, so the ability to take on new processes, cultures, and teams quickly is essential. They must be able to rapidly analyse the current situation and identify the development areas needed.
- Strong experience and capability: An interim professional is often required to have deep expertise and broad experience, so they can take on challenges immediately without lengthy onboarding. This experience gives them the readiness to solve problems quickly and effectively.
- Goal-oriented working style: Because interim assignments are temporary by nature and often tied to projects, it's important for the expert to be able to work to clear goals and achieve results within deadlines.
- Leadership and change management: Interim experts often work in leadership or accountable roles and may have to guide a team through challenging change. Skills in change management and motivating teams are especially valuable in keeping staff committed and productive in the middle of change.
- Solution focus and problem-solving: Interim professionals need to be able to view situations with a solution focus and develop practical solutions quickly. This quality is particularly important in short-term projects where time is limited.
- Strong communication skills: Effective communication is central, because an interim expert often has to communicate with many different stakeholders, such as leadership, the team, and clients. The ability to express ideas clearly and intelligibly is an important part of the work.
- Commitment and professional ethics: Even though an interim professional works in a temporary role, they still need to be fully committed to the assignment and to represent high professional ethics, in order to build trust within the organisation and deliver lasting added value.
Interim procurement experts often operate in demanding conditions, and the expertise they bring, their readiness for change, and their ability to work in a results-driven way make them valuable resources for organisations in different kinds of transitions and periods of change.