A program that aggregates purchasing power across portfolios allows owners to achieve heightened financial and operational performance. For example, JLL's global sourcing and procurement platform centralizes purchasing across $34.5 billion in managed spend, offering clients greater control across more than 71,000 vetted suppliers and 56,000 contracts. Clients purchasing direct goods through the JLL Marketplace can expect cost savings of 10–15%.

The platform combines global scale with dedicated support:

• 900+ sourcing professionals across the globe 
• Corporate category managers and account-based teams 
• Strategic supplier onboarding via the Aravo portal 
• Performance oversight through KPIs and SLAs 
• Innovation programs like SYNERGY and supplier workshops 
• Sustainable product sourcing
   

JLL’s supplier relationships are built on long-term collaboration, shared performance goals and speed to market through pre-established agreements and aligned expectations. Preferred suppliers receive training, share best practices and participate in continuous improvement initiatives. This strengthens responsiveness, raises service quality and speeds issue resolution.

This approach enables early identification of issues and facilitates benchmarking across portfolios. By consolidating these insights, sourcing teams can advise clients on broader market trends—such as the impact of new tariffs, labor agreements, or shipping delays—before they disrupt service.

“The height of COVID is a good example of how a sourcing program supports agility,” said Tracy Hrebik, Director of Sourcing at JLL. “Our sourcing network worked closely with suppliers to secure critical items like masks and cleaning supplies. Real-time communication and performance tracking ensured essential deliveries continued, even amid global shortages.”

Rather than encouraging stockpiling in response to economic uncertainty, a strategic sourcing partner can monitor market intelligence reports and implement cost planning strategies for those categories prone to fluctuation. 

Strategic sourcing plays a frontline role in mitigating operational and legal risk. A procurement team can manage certificates of insurance (COIs), ensure rigorous supplier vetting and evaluate contractors against compliance with labor laws and modern human rights standards.

This is especially critical in high-risk categories like janitorial and security services, where improper hiring practices have led to legal challenges across the industry. By embedding due diligence into onboarding and maintaining documentation throughout the supplier relationship, sourcing teams help reduce exposure for owners and operators.

Vague vendor contracts can also be a significant source of risk. Too often, inherited contracts lack specificity, which can create confusion around deliverables and accountability. One misread line can change an entire operational flow, resulting in a significant loss of time and money. 

Strategic sourcing is both an art and a science—requiring not only deep vendor relationships and nuanced category knowledge, but also the discipline of clear performance benchmarks. JLL develops scope-specific contracts using an outcome-based model that enables:

• Customized KPIs tied to portfolio goals 
• Greater legal clarity and enforcement capability 
• Proactive supplier performance conversations 
   

This model ensures expectations are clearly defined, measurable and enforceable, helping to align service delivery with long-term operational and financial outcomes.