Purchasing refers to the acquisition of goods and services necessary for a company’s operations and/or production processes. Many people lack a clear understanding of what purchasing entails. In industrial, commercial, and public sectors, “purchasing” signifies not only the act of procurement but also the financial responsibility tied to obtaining materials, supplies, and services. While it simply describes the process of buying, in a broader context, purchasing encompasses identifying needs, selecting suppliers, negotiating prices and terms, issuing contracts or orders, and ensuring timely delivery. The core objective is to procure the right materials in the right quantity, quality, price, time, and from the right supplier, ensuring delivery to the appropriate location.

Given the growing importance of purchasing and its ability to enhance corporate profitability, the evolution of this function within organizations has attracted significant interest. Literature highlights the transition of purchasing from a passive, reactive clerical role in the 1970s to a proactive, strategic function, contributing equally to the creation of sustainable competitive advantages (Versendaal et al, 2005). Cavinato and Freeman (1990) pointed out that, in today’s dynamic global markets, companies focused on high-quality production must emphasize strategic purchasing and supply planning. They observed that many organizations’ purchasing departments have developed gradually without a formal plan.

The role of raw materials in ensuring the smooth operation of a manufacturing organization is critical. The availability of raw materials in the right quality and quantity significantly influences the availability, quality, and quantity of finished products. Effective raw material management is essential for optimizing a company’s performance, as factors like demand, competitor actions, and market prices are influenced by how well raw materials are managed. Efficient planning, including determining economic order quantity (EOQ), re-order levels, and stock levels, is vital for effective material management.

Material management, which involves forecasting, planning, inventory control, and disposal, provides crucial information to management regarding procurement and inventory within financial policies. Effective raw material management involves a balanced approach to planning and operations. As global markets expand, companies are under pressure to manage demand and supply efficiently. To reduce production costs, organizations are increasingly setting up production centers in regions with lower raw material and labor costs, requiring dynamic procurement strategies across various suppliers.

Material management, which includes planning, controlling, organizing, and directing efforts toward efficient procurement, transportation, stocking, and utilization of inputs, is central to production. Its effectiveness directly impacts overall organizational performance. As a result, managing raw materials in manufacturing requires focused attention to ensure uninterrupted production and improve operational performance (Khalid, 2008). Furthermore, maintaining optimal stock levels can enhance working capital for investment in other profitable areas.

Uganda Baati Limited, a member of the Safal Group, is Africa’s largest steel roofing company. The Safal Group operates metal coating lines in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and South Africa, with color coating facilities in Kenya and South Africa. Safal was the first in Africa to implement Aluminium-Zinc coating technology. Established in 1964, Uganda Baati became the first company in East Africa to introduce a continuous galvanizing line. With branches in Tororo and Arua and showrooms in Mbarara and Gulu, Uganda Baati is the leading manufacturer and supplier of roofing sheets, offering a wide range of products, including galvanized, aluminium-zinc coated, and pre-painted materials. Uganda Baati also provides customized roofing solutions.

Their product line includes Lifestile, Romantile, Versatile, Covermax, Maxcover, Classicor, Tekdek, Newlok, Saflok700, and DumuZas. Beyond providing quality roofing solutions, Uganda Baati contributes to the sustainable development of surrounding communities through its social responsibility initiatives, such as operating the Chandaria Medical Clinic.

Raw materials form a crucial part of the inventory stock maintained by manufacturing firms at any given time. Every organization holds some form of inventory, and effective inventory management is vital for operational efficiency, profitability, and survival, particularly in highly competitive environments (Kros, Falasca & Nadler, 2006).

Given the growing importance of the purchasing role and its potential to positively impact corporate profitability, the development of the purchasing function within organizations has gained significant attention. The evolution of this function is well-documented in literature. Transitioning from the passive, reactive clerical role of the 1970s, purchasing has the potential to evolve into a proactive, strategic function, contributing equally to creating sustainable competitive advantages as other business functions (Versendaal et al., 2005).

Cavinato and Freeman (1990) noted that in today’s dynamic and rapidly changing global markets, organizations that prioritize high-quality production must focus on planning, developing, and managing their purchasing and supply processes. However, they also observed that many organizations have developed their purchasing departments without a specific strategy, often in a reactive manner.

In response to the current economic uncertainty, many supply managers have adopted a cautious “wait-and-see” approach, being reluctant to spend their companies’ most valuable asset: cash. Since inventory is often viewed negatively in relation to cash, companies continue to aggressively reduce inventory levels. In fact, current inventory management practices have regressed beyond “Lean” principles to what could be described as anorexic levels, leading to potential shortages of popular items, such as electronics and appliances, especially during high-demand periods like the holiday season.