Maverick spend, sometimes Rogue Spending, Non-compliant Purchasing, Off-contract Buying, Ad-hoc Purchasing or Independent Sourcing, refers to the practice of purchasing goods or services outside of the established procurement policies, procedures, and controls of an organization. This can include purchases made without proper authorization, outside of approved supplier contracts, or without the use of preferred suppliers.
Maverick spend can lead to a range of negative outcomes for an organization, including higher costs, reduced process efficiency, decreased compliance, and increased risk. When purchases are made outside of the established procurement process, it can be difficult for procurement professionals to manage supplier performance effectively, negotiate favorable pricing, or identify opportunities for cost savings.
To address maverick spend, organizations typically implement policies and procedures to promote compliance with procurement policies, and specialized software to help monitor and manage procurement activities. This can include the use of spend analytics, supplier management systems, and e-procurement platforms to streamline the procurement process and improve visibility into purchasing activities.
By reducing maverick spend and increasing compliance with procurement policies, organizations can improve their financial performance, reduce waste and inefficiency, and better manage risk.