Maverick Buying: When employees bypass procurement
by Anna Ullmann on Jun 16, 2026Procurement & Purchasing
Why purchases outside defined procurement processes can lead to high costs and how companies can create more transparency.
What is Maverick Buying?
Maverick buying refers to purchases made outside of a company's defined procurement processes.
Employees order products independently, even though established suppliers, framework agreements, or purchasing guidelines already exist.
Typical Examples
- Ordering from Amazon instead of the agreed supplier
- Purchasing office supplies through private online shops
- Direct ordering without approval
- Using unapproved suppliers
This often happens not out of malice, but because employees need a quick solution.
In short
Maverick buying usually arises because official ordering channels are too complicated or too slow. Clear purchasing guidelines, a simple core assortment, and fast digital ordering processes are the most effective countermeasures, not stricter controls.
Why is Maverick Buying problematic?
At first glance, a single order seems harmless. However, in total, significant costs and risks arise.
Higher Purchase Prices
Framework agreements are often based on quantities and agreed-upon conditions. Those who order outside these agreements often forego price advantages.
Higher Process Costs
Every additional order incurs administrative effort and ties up resources.
Lack of Transparency
Purchasing loses track of suppliers, prices, and order volumes.
Increased Risks
Unapproved suppliers can cause quality, compliance, or data protection problems.
Why does Maverick Buying occur?
The cause often does not lie with the employees. In many cases, existing purchasing processes are too complicated or too slow.
Approvals take too long Products hard to find Suppliers respond slowly Complicated ordering processes Unclear guidelines
In such situations, the easiest and fastest way is often chosen.
How do companies identify Maverick Buying?
Typical warning signs are:
- Many individual invoices
- Numerous suppliers for similar products
- Different prices for identical items
- High number of small orders
- Frequent orders via marketplaces
This problem regularly occurs particularly in the area of office supplies, hygiene articles, and consumables.
How can Maverick Buying be reduced?
Clear Purchasing Guidelines
Employees should know which suppliers are approved and which processes apply.
Define Core Assortments
Standardized products reduce uncertainty and simplify orders.
Simplify Processes
The simpler the official procurement channel, the less often detours will be used.
Optimize Approvals
Excessive approval steps often encourage alternative ordering methods.
Digital Procurement Solutions as a Countermeasure
Modern procurement systems make the desired procurement channel simultaneously the easiest channel.
- Approved assortments
- Individual price lists
- Approval workflows
- Cost center assignment
- Supplier management
The easier official ordering works, the lower Maverick Buying will be.
Practical Example
A company regularly orders its office supplies from five different suppliers. Each employee uses their preferred shop.
The consequences:
- Different prices
- Many invoices
- High administrative effort
- No volume bundling
After introducing a central assortment and a unified ordering portal, the number of suppliers significantly decreases, and procurement becomes more transparent.
Is Maverick Buying always bad?
Not necessarily. Sometimes Maverick Buying uncovers weaknesses in existing procurement processes.
If employees regularly use alternative routes, an analysis is worthwhile:
- Are processes too complicated?
- Are important products missing?
- Are there delivery problems?
- Are approvals too slow?
Maverick Buying can thus also be an indicator of optimization potential.
Conclusion
Maverick buying often leads to higher costs, more administrative effort, and less transparency in purchasing.
The most effective solution is usually not stricter rules, but simpler processes, clear assortment specifications, and user-friendly procurement solutions.
If the official ordering process is the easiest way, Maverick Buying often decreases automatically.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Maverick Buying illegal?
No, it only violates internal guidelines, not laws, but it can entail compliance risks.
What is the typical percentage of Maverick Buying?
This varies greatly depending on the company; C-items with high order frequency are often particularly affected.
Are stricter controls sufficient to stop Maverick Buying?
Mostly not; it is more effective to make the official ordering process easier than the detours.
Further Wiepa Guides
Approval Processes in Purchasing: How Companies Maintain Control
Core Assortment in Purchasing: Why Less Choice Often Saves More Money
Create more transparency in purchasing?
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