Rising Star Interview: Eric Brumfield

Published September 20, 2019

Category: Innovation | Outsourcing

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Written by: Eric Brumfield
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Eric Brumfield

Eric Brumfield is a Manager at ProcureAbility with more than six years of focused advisory and consulting experience covering a variety of industries. 
Eric deploys his expertise to help clients identify and resolve supply chain deficiencies by leading strategic cost-saving initiatives, procurement transformations, technology assessments, and implementations and project management.  
He received a BS in Industrial Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a minor in Engineering & Business.
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How did you get into this field – was it purposeful or by accident?

I fell into this field by chance. I studied Industrial Engineering at Georgia Tech, and a couple of years into my degree, I found my interest in management consulting. I interviewed at different consultancies with a variety of specialties, looking for one that seemed like the right fit. After my interview at ProcureAbility, I knew I found the right organization, and they specialized in the procurement space. 
 

In what ways do you hope to influence or transform the industry?

I hope to continue to bring new and innovative ideas to my clients and help their procurement organizations become best-in-class. By taking on difficult projects, I’m able to think outside the box and develop new ways to approach common problems. By harnessing project outcomes, I can apply concepts and benchmarks at future clients to continue evolving how I approach problems.  
 

Who are the mentors or role models who have guided you in your career?

I have been extremely lucky early on in my career to have had the opportunity to work with some of the most experienced and successful consultants in the procurement space. They not only provided mentorship and helped fine tune my skillsets, they also challenged me and encouraged me out of my comfort zone. Without those experiences, my career progression would have likely stagnated, and I wouldn’t have developed as quickly as I have.  
 

What is something you wish more people knew about the sourcing and procurement industry?

It’s not as boring as it may seem on the surface. It’s exciting to see a project come together and achieve the value you identified. When the outcome of a client project is successful and you’ve generated value for their organization, it is quite rewarding because not only are you helping an organization thrive by impacting the bottom line, you’re supporting jobs and sometimes even the client’s customers. 

Looking ahead, what trends do you think will emerge in the sourcing and procurement space?

Technology has had its place in this industry for some time now. The trend that has already begun to take hold is the emergence of artificial intelligence and the ability to make meaningful insights out of massive amounts of raw data, without the need for heavy human interface. Many of the existing technology companies, and new players, are in a race to see who can develop the most effective technology. It will be very interesting to see how this trend plays out and how these new developments will impact procurement.  
 

What advice do you have for those who are considering a career in sourcing or procurement?

Sourcing and procurement has come a long way, but it is still an underappreciated space. There are many unique opportunities for procurement professionals to make significant impacts, most notably with new and emerging trends. I always recommend staying up-to-date on trends and the importance of thinking outside of the box. Many concepts within procurement remain unchanged, but there are always new and innovative ways to apply these core concepts.

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