Shipping costs are rising and supply chains are more complicated than ever. Old ways of choosing carriers don’t work anymore. To stay competitive, companies must get better at procurement strategies in supply chain management.

Smart freight procurement decisions save money and get deliveries on time. Companies that do this well get ahead of the competition. They handle disruptions better and keep customers happy.

The best logistics procurement strategy balances cost savings with service. Here are six ways to strengthen your shipping operations and protect your business when markets shift.

6 Freight Procurement Strategies in Supply Chain Management

Ready to acquire ideas for the six best freight procurement strategies for your business? Learn about them below. 

1. Defining the Goals 

Strong freight sourcing strategies start with clear goals, like improving sustainability or expanding your supplier network. Your procurement team must know what’s important. Cost savings are important but so are on-time deliveries.

Think about your company’s bigger picture. Do you want faster deliveries for customers? Are you looking to cut costs by 10%? Do you want eco-friendly shipping options? Write it down.

Make sure service quality is part of your goals. Cheap shipping is useless if goods arrive late or damaged. Set clear standards for delivery speed, safety and reliability.

When your goals align with your company’s vision, your procurement team can make better decisions. It also makes it easier to measure success later.

2. Use Automated Tools 

Technology has changed everything about freight sourcing. Automation handles comparing carriers and finding the best deals. In fact, automation reduces tendering cycle times and improves carrier compliance rates.

Transportation Management Systems (TMS) like ShipperGuide make it faster. These platforms compare hundreds of carriers in seconds. They look at the price, delivery time, and quality of service.

Once set up, automation can tender loads to the right carrier, track shipments in real time, and flag issues before they escalate. Most importantly, it bases decisions on data rather than guesswork.

3. Leverage Data Analytics 

Data is the key to a smarter logistics sourcing strategy. It shows you the truth about carrier performance and shipping costs. Use data to negotiate better.

Look at your shipping history to see patterns. Some carriers may perform better on certain routes and costs may drop at certain times of the year. This helps with planning.

Benchmarking shows you how you compare to the market. This gives you an advantage when negotiating with carriers. You know if you’re overpaying or getting a fair deal.

Analytics tools also predict problems before they happen, like peak season delays or shortages. Track metrics like delivery speed, damages and complaints to choose the best partners.

4. Keep Up with Market Trends

The freight market changes fast. Fuel prices go up and down, and new rules affect carriers. A flexible logistics procurement strategy adapts to these changes.

Watch fuel prices closely since they impact shipping costs. Plan for these changes when negotiating contracts.

Capacity changes with demand. During peak seasons truck availability tightens, driving up rates. Knowing these patterns helps you schedule shipments wisely.

Stay up to date on new regulations that impact shipping costs and service. Subscribe to reports, join trade groups and stay in touch with multiple carriers to understand market shifts.

5. Build Carrier and 3PL Relationships

Strategic carrier sourcing is about more than buying shipping services—it’s about building strong, long-term relationships that create resilience in your supply chain. Reliable partners give you priority service when capacity is tight and work harder to solve problems quickly. Long-term contracts reinforce these relationships, often providing better pricing and more stable service.

At the same time, don’t rely on just one carrier. Working with multiple partners spreads risk, so if one fails, others can step in seamlessly. Meet with carriers regularly to review performance, discuss challenges openly, and set clear expectations. Always have backup carriers lined up with pre-negotiated rates, ensuring your operations can continue smoothly even in unexpected situations.

6. Disruption Planning

Disruption is part of freight sourcing. Bad weather, market shifts or a carrier shutting down can be a big problem. Smart companies plan for these problems.

Create backup plans for different scenarios. Keep updated lists of emergency contacts and backup carriers. Know who will inform customers of delays.

Test these plans regularly to find weaknesses. Add buffer time to shipping schedules to absorb delays. This planning reduces the impact of the unexpected.

Frequently Asked Questions About Procurement Strategies 

These FAQs answer common questions about freight sourcing solutions and help you make better decisions.

What are the Most Important Freight Procurement Strategies for Shippers?

The top strategies include leveraging automation for freight execution—like tendering, tracking, and auditing—using data to inform smarter decisions, and building strong relationships with reliable carriers.

How Can Data and Technology Improve Freight Procurement?

Data shows real performance and expenses, while technology automates carrier comparison. Together they help you make faster, fact-based decisions.

Why are Strong Carriers and 3PL Partnerships Important in Procurement?

Reliable partners give you priority service when capacity is tight and work with you to solve problems instead of pointing fingers.

Fuel Your Procurement with ShipperGuide

Today’s freight sourcing requires modern, easy to use technology. ShipperGuide offers automation, data driven insights and carrier connections to help you build procurement strategies in a fast changing logistics market. Schedule a demo today to view the platform in action!