Tail spend, characterized by low-value, high-volume purchases, is often overlooked as procurement teams traditionally focus on key suppliers. This leaves tail spend fragmented and unmanaged despite its potential to unlock value through cost reduction, enhanced compliance, and improved operational efficiency. In today’s age of economic uncertainty, supply chain disruptions, and inflationary pressures, neglecting tail spend is no longer an option.

Managing tail spend presents challenges such as noncompliance due to weak policy integration, siloed purchasing practices, and data fragmentation that limits visibility. Direct tail spend management is further complicated due to supplier qualification requirements and intricate processes. However, emerging technologies such as AI, analytics, and autonomous sourcing are transforming how organizations address these issues.

This report highlights the importance of tackling tail spend, persistent challenges, and strategic approaches for optimization. It demonstrates how digital solutions can revolutionize tail spend management, enabling streamlined processes, improved user experiences, and significant cost savings. The report also identifies key success factors to ensure sustainable improvements, helping organizations unlock the full potential of managing their tail spend.

Scope

All industries and geographies

Contents

In this report, we examine:

• Tail spend management’s importance
• Modern procurement design principles to effectively manage tail spend
• Unlocking value through technology in tail spend management
• Key factors for successful tail spend programs

Membership(s)

Procurement and Supply Chain

Sourcing and Vendor Management