A group purchasing organization (GPO) leverages the collective buying power of its members to secure discounted prices on the goods and services needed to run a business. Implementing a GPO partnership typically involves seven steps: establishing procurement objectives, connecting with a representative, accessing pre-negotiated contracts, gaining spend visibility, strengthening supplier relationships, educating internal stakeholders, and optimizing continuously.
But not all GPOs are created equal.
When you choose OMNIA Partners as your ally in the purchasing process, you gain more than access — you gain a partner. With value-added solutions, procurement technology like OPUS, data tools like Spend Path, and ongoing support, we help you take a more strategic and efficient approach to buying.
Here are some frequently asked questions to help you better understand what implementation looks like, step by step, with OMNIA Partners.
How to Partner with a GPO: OMNIA Partners' Step-by-Step Roadmap
From onboarding to optimization, see how we guide your procurement journey step by step.
1. What Should You Do Before Joining a GPO?
Your Next Step:
Establish objectives. Start by identifying procurement pain points and assessing your organization’s spend visibility. These findings will assist your team in setting new goals and priorities — whether it’s savings, efficiency, solution access, compliance, or all the above.
“Spend visibility is step one or, rather, step zero in starting and running a sourcing organization. It’s mandatory because it’s your playbook. Without it, it’s like trying to get somewhere without a roadmap; you’re just lost in the dark.”
— Reginald Holden, Chief Procurement Officer, Leonard Green & Partners
2. How Do I Connect with the OMNIA Partners Team?
Your Next Step:
If you’re already a member, connect with your OMNIA Partners representative to begin selecting the solutions best suited to your business.
If you’re ready to become a member, fill out this short form and we’ll be in touch. Need more information or not sure where to start? Contact us and we’ll connect you with a dedicated representative to guide you through the process.
“GPOs can act as an extension of my team... we’ve taken advantage of riding the coattails of larger companies that are members of a GPO.”
— Eric Buckner, Senior Director, Purchasing, Sinclair Broadcast Group
3. How Does OMNIA Partners' Contract Library Work?
Your Next Step:
Leverage our comprehensive suite of savings tools and contract solutions:
- Contracts: Visit our website to explore our range of leading national supplier contracts. Sort contracts by industry, category, and keywords to customize your experience.
- OPUS: OMNIA Partners OPUS is the only free platform that provides access to hundreds of negotiated contracts from trusted suppliers. Utilize the QuickConnect feature to instantly contact a knowledgeable supplier representative.
- Subject Matter Experts: Use our team of industry experts to help you make informed buying decisions within categories like Food, MRO & Facilities, IT & Telecom, Furniture, HR & Contingent Workforce, and Freight & Logistics.
“Utilizing OMNIA Partners has helped us take our purchasing decisions to the next level... they saved us hours and hours of time!”
— Brenda Barrett, President of Property Management Operations, AMC
4. How Do GPOs Improve Spend Visibility and Data Insights?
Your Next Step:
OMNIA Partners provides a data & spend analytics solution that empowers organizations to make informed decisions about their purchasing strategy. Our team will clean, categorize, and analyze your data, allowing you to identify areas for better contract compliance, category management, and alignment with company initiatives.
“With membership, you receive access to internal analysts who compare your supplier costs confidentially. In just 15–20 days, we had a full category analysis—it’s like adding new category managers to your staff.”
— Mark Trowbridge, Principal, Strategic Procurement Solutions, LLC
5. How Do I Leverage OMNIA Partners' Strong Supplier Relationships?
Your Next Step:
Our history of building lasting relationships and delivering exceptional service has driven value for our members for nearly 30 years. Watch as your supplier relationships deepen in three key ways:
- Achieving Power & Scale: A GPO partner leverages collective business purchasing power for improved pricing, service levels, and supplier representation.
- Managing Total Cost of Ownership (TCO): Relying on your GPO’s supplier relationships can reduce risks and ensure TCO management in your transactions is guided by experts.
- Monitoring Relationships: Amidst market challenges and shortages, continuous communication between the GPO and suppliers fosters problem-solving, innovation, and product development.
“It’s way more than just pricing with the suppliers. OMNIA Partners comes with additional resources. When it comes to supplier performance management or building relationships with suppliers, they know exactly what to do. It feels like the GPO is part of our procurement team.”
— Russell Bennett, Caliber Collision
6. How Do I Educate My Internal Team on This Partnership?
Your Next Step:
Organization-wide GPO buy-in is key to success. Ensure stakeholders understand why you are using a GPO and how to utilize the available solutions. Explore our resources library for proven tips and success stories on making the most of your GPO relationship — and how organizations like yours have thrived alongside OMNIA Partners.
“OMNIA Partners helps tackle challenges head on... allowing my organization to tackle more procurement initiatives annually, resulting in improved efficiency and effectiveness.”
— Mark Chaplin, VP of Supply Chain
7. How Do I Continuously Optimize My GPO Partnership?
Your Next Step:
Collaborating with a GPO not only expands your team but simplifies and enhances the purchasing process. Even after implementation, stay connected with your OMNIA Partners representative to monitor contract performance, identify savings opportunities, and adapt to your evolving needs. Our team is committed to being your ally through the entire process to ensure you feel confident in the procurement decisions you make daily.
“OMNIA Partners has been essential for our team with cost and time savings. Our properties have found it to save a significant amount of time — not only in one-stop shopping but through their team’s support.”
— David M. Soule, Regional Vice President, KMG Prestige, AMO