SUND
SUND introduces new central procurement function
The Faculty is centralising its procurement activities in a dedicated unit. The goal is to enhance the quality and efficiency of purchasing, while releasing time and resources for core tasks like research and teaching.
SUND is setting up a new, shared procurement function: SUND Procurement. The function will be placed in the Faculty Secretariat and will report to the Head of SUND Finance.
SUND Procurement will be responsible for the majority of the Faculty's purchasing – across both departments and research units.
The central unit will contribute to, among other things:
- better compliance with rules and agreements
- lower shipping and minimum order fees
- stronger professional expertise in the procurement process
- greater negotiating power and better prices
- less administration and fewer invoices
Who is included?
At launch, the following departments and units will be part of the new procurement function:
- Department of Clinical Research
- Department of Molecular Medicine
- Department of Public Health – Health Services Research (Odense)
- Department of Psychology
- Department of Regional Health Research
- Faculty Secretariat
The Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics and the Department of Forensic Medicine are expected to join the scheme in 2026.
The National Institute of Public Health (Copenhagen) and Department of Public Health – Health Services Research (Esbjerg) will be included once the physical facilities for goods reception are in place.
A new network for purchasers across SUND will ensure knowledge sharing – including with departments not part of the first phase.
How SUND Procurement is funded
SUND Procurement is funded via an allocation key that takes into account factors such as the number of transactions and serviced employees.
The model does not involve an increase in staffing. Instead, it is based on the expectation that resources freed up locally can be redirected to other tasks – for example, to support growth in externally funded activities.
In the long term, the aim is also to achieve financial savings. Centralising more purchases creates opportunities to negotiate better deals and get more value for money.
Do you have any questions?
If you have any questions about the upcoming reorganisation of the procurement function, you are welcome to contact Peter Kejser, head of SUND Finance.
Background and decision-making process
Background:
The procurement task at SUND has until now been handled by around 75 employees – without being a core responsibility for any of them. This has led to a lack of consistency, limited compliance with regulations and missed opportunities for economies of scale.
Starting point:
In June 2024, a proposal outlining the need for a new procurement setup was presented to the heads of department. The group gave the green light to continue developing the idea.
Improvement process:
Between June 2024 and March 2025, an improvement process was carried out as part of SDU’s improvement framework. The process focused on user involvement and professional anchoring.
Decision:
At the heads of department meeting on 25 March 2025, it was decided to establish SUND Procurement as a shared function under SUND Finance. The function will be implemented during autumn 2025.