Harnessing Value in the Supply Chain

"Done properly, Strategic Sourcing breaks down the traditional barriers between users, buyers, and suppliers so the company achieves maximum value from its supply chain."

"As people experience real participation in decision making, problem solving, and changing the business, teams will step up to the demands for leadership."

"The most important work of the Strategic Sourcing selection process is finding the right supplier partner for the company. It may be just as important for suppliers to find the right customers."

"Strategic business planning encompasses analyzing the business and its environment as they are today in order to create a formal program for guiding development and success tomorrow."

"The overall program architecture should be in place before the first sourcing teams are launched."

"Expand the thinking about supply chain possibilities. Analyze initial data to identify potential opportunities and surface issues."

"Two main categories are analyzed when conducting an assessment of materials and services: suppliers and their respective processes; other companies utilizing the materials/services, both within the relevant industry and from other industries."

"The purpose of this phase is to develop an understanding of how internal behaviors, attitudes, and operations may be impacted or need to change in order for the recommended sourcing strategy to be successfully implemented."

"Supplier selection is the single most important outcome of the Strategic Sourcing process."

"Adoption of the plan represents agreement between the company and the supplier(s), as well as management's support for the upcoming tasks."

"Follow-up and attention to detail are key to successful implementation."

"With the magnitude of change occurring and the growing interdependence between suppliers and the company, we recognized that relationships needed to be built at all levels."