09.04.2026
09.04.2026
Andy Freund Senior Growth Manager
Orders that are placed outside of standardized procurement processes are commonplace in many companies. However, this phenomenon, known as maverick buying, can have far-reaching negative consequences - from unnecessarily high costs and compliance violations to a weakened negotiating position for purchasing. In this article, you will find out what exactly maverick buying is, what causes it and which tried-and-tested solutions you can use to effectively get a grip on this "wild purchasing" and strengthen your procurement strategy in the long term.
Maverick buying, often referred to as "wild buying" or "rogue buying", describes the procurement of materials or services by employees who bypass the established procurement processes and channelsspecified by the purchasing department. Instead of ordering via approved suppliers and negotiated framework agreements, specialist departments make their purchases on their own authority. A classic example is an employee who orders office supplies from an unlisted online retailer because it has to be done quickly, instead of using the official process via the ERP system.
The most common causes of maverick buying
To get a handle on maverick buying, it is crucial to understand the roots of the problem. Employees rarely act out of malicious intent. Rather, it is often procedural or organizational hurdles that tempt them to go it alone. The causes of maverick buying are manifold:
- Inefficient procurement processes: If the official purchasing process is perceived as too slow, bureaucratic or complicated, employees look for faster alternatives in order to respond to deadline pressure.
- Lack of transparency: Employees often do not even know which suppliers, framework agreements or conditions exist for certain product groups. A lack of or inadequate communication of procurement guidelines encourages uncontrolled purchases.
- Urgent or specific needs: Sometimes departments need specific products or services that are not available from preferred suppliers or would take too long to procure.
- Lack of user-friendly tools: Outdated or complicated ERP systems and order forms are a deterrent. Modern e-procurement systems that offer a simple ordering experience similar to online stores are often lacking.
- Corporate culture: A lack of appreciation for the strategic importance of procurement can lead to compliance with guidelines being seen as secondary.
The serious consequences: Why maverick buying gets expensive
Independent procurement by employees may seem harmless at first glance, but it causes considerable direct and indirect costs and risks for the entire company. The negative effects not only affect the budget, but also the strategic direction of purchasing.
The biggest disadvantages include higher procurement costs, as negotiated discounts and economies of scale remain unused due to the bundling of requirements. Every purchase that bypasses management weakens the central negotiating position of the purchasing department vis-à-vis suppliers. This is compounded by high process costs due to more time-consuming invoice verification and accounting. There are also considerable compliance and quality risks. Orders placed with unchecked suppliers can lead to quality problems, delivery failures and breaches of legal or internal company guidelines. The lack of transparency over these procurement processes also makes it difficult to analyze spend accurately and reduces efficiency throughout supply chain management.
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Read nowRecognizing and measuring maverick buying: How to create transparency
The first step in combating maverick buying is to make it visible. Many companies are not aware of the extent of the problem. To identify maverick buying, you can analyze various data sources. A good place to start is accounts payable. Check invoices from suppliers for which no framework agreements or purchase orders are stored in the system. Employee expense reports can also contain indications of unauthorized purchases.
A key indicator is the maverick buying rate. This key figure compares the expenditure for non-contractual orders to the total expenditure for a specific product group or the total procurement volume. A high ratio signals an urgent need for action and helps to identify problem areas in a targeted manner. Modern e-procurement solutions can often carry out this analysis automatically and provide valuable insights into purchasing behavior within the company.
Strategies and solutions: Combat maverick buying effectively
Once you know the extent of the problem, you can take targeted measures. It's not about punishing employees, but about designing processes in such a way that the official route is the easiest and most attractive. Sustainable procurement is based on a combination of technology, clear rules and communication.
- Introduction of e-procurement systems: Modern platforms digitize and simplify the entire purchasing process. They offer employee-friendly catalogs in which only approved products from preferred suppliers are available at the right conditions. This is particularly important in C-parts management.
- Optimize and communicate processes: Analyze and simplify your approval workflows. Ensure that all employees understand the procurement guidelines and their benefits through clear communication.
- Centralized supplier management: Consolidate your supplier base and conclude framework agreements. Make these contracts and conditions transparent and easily accessible to all employees.
- Use spend analysis: Rely on data-driven analysis of your spend to quickly identify variances and continuously improve your procurement strategy.
The challenges in procurement are real, as a study by the Fraunhofer IML on the Purchasing Barometer shows. However, by using the right tools and having a clear strategic focus, procurement can become a real value driver.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What is the difference between maverick buying and strategic purchasing?
Maverick buying is the exact opposite of strategic purchasing. While strategic purchasing aims at long-term planning, supplier evaluation, bundling of requirements and optimization of the total cost of ownership, maverick buying is a reactive, uncoordinated and process-remote procurement that undermines these strategic goals.
Are small companies also affected by maverick buying?
Yes, absolutely. Even if the processes in smaller companies are often less formalized, uncontrolled purchasing leads to the same problems here too: missed savings potential, lack of spending control and unnecessary administrative effort. This is precisely where lean e-procurement solutions can quickly provide structure and efficiency.
How can an e-procurement system help in concrete terms?
An e-procurement system channels all orders via a central, user-friendly platform. It stores approved supplier catalogs and framework agreements, automates approval processes and creates full transparency across all procurement processes. This makes the official route the easiest and quickest for employees, effectively preventing maverick buying.
Andy Freund Senior Growth Manager
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