Procurement and Supply Chain Management Made Simple
Increasing sales, profitability and customer service through the eradication of commercial costs, waste and risks.
About Procurement and Supply Chain Management Made Simple
Our Mission
Procurement and Supply Chain Management Made Simple: our mission is to become the leading thought-provoking knowledge hub. We aim to achieve this by delivering exceptionally high-quality content for people involved in procurement and supply chain management.
Our Expertise
At Procurement and Supply Chain Management Made Simple, our aim is to provide thoughtful business articles based on common sense, without political bias, to assist those working in procurement and supply chain management to deliver best-in-class service.
Procurement and Supply Chain Management Made Simple
Supply Chain Management
Supply Chain Management
Supply Chain Management
Supply chains can vary in length and complexity depending on the specific industry and sector they operate in and the end user's demands. By allowing supply and demand to function independently, supply chains reduce costs, expedite economies of scale, and maximise productivity. Within the supply chain, organisations specialise in value-adding activities that provide a competitive advantage in the supply of products and services essential for their mutual existence.
Procurement
Supply Chain Management
Supply Chain Management
Procurement negotiate terms with suppliers to eradicate commercial, legal, and safety risks, to maximise customer satisfaction and service. A procurement function operates a negotiating process that has the authority to procure products and service on behalf of an organisation, and may operate as a separate, discrete function but are often dispersed within operational teams throughout the supply chain to manage the risk aspects of purchasing.
Logistics
Supply Chain Management
Warehousing
The concept of "efficiency" in logistics requires further clarification. Some interpret it as reducing costs, waste, and time in material flow. In contrast, others see it as maximising customer service, with cost management being essential but not at the expense of customer satisfaction. It is crucial for the logistics strategy to align with the organisation's mission statement, sales policy and customer service strategy, to meet customer needs efficiently and effectively at a reasonable cost.
Warehousing
Inventory Management
Warehousing
The primary function of warehousing is to regulate and effectively manage the flow of goods, ensuring that demand is met without any disruptions in supply. The size, scope, geographic location and functionality of warehouses varies significantly, ranging from massive structures capable of handling a high volume of inbound and outbound consignments to smaller, privately owned facilities.
Inventory Management
Inventory Management
Inventory Management
A proactive inventory management system ensures a smooth flow of raw and subassembly materials throughout production and finished goods to reduce missed sales opportunities. An organisational-wide inventory system is adept at handling unexpected delays in supplier deliveries, preventing inventory shortages and extended lead times and allowing production schedules to remain on track.
Risk Avoidance
Inventory Management
Inventory Management
Management risks can threaten an organisation's ability to achieve its goals. Commercial and operational risks are centred on an organisation's trading plans that may not turn out as originally planned. The risks refer to the possibility of an organisation needing to be more efficient in using its financial resources due to the uncertainties brought about by its failure to manage risk.
Procurement and Supply Chain Management Made Simple
Change Management
Supplier Management
Change Management
Organisations operate within an ever-changing environment and must constantly adapt and evolve to meet these changes. Low-performing organisations react to change least effectively, as they prefer to hire extra staff, rather than high-performing organisations, who look at how they operate to improve efficiency to negate the need to hire additional staff. Hiring staff is expensive and can lead to further inefficiencies if those staff add little organisational efficiency and profitability.
Leadership
Supplier Management
Change Management
An organisation's most prominent issue is translating its strategic intent into the tactical and operational plans required to establish and achieve its goals and objectives. There is a perception that leaders only exist at the higher levels of management. However, a truly effective organisation understands that leaders exist at all levels of the management structure, critically translating a strategic vision into something the rest of the organisation will “buy” into.
Supplier Management
Supplier Management
Supplier Management
To succeed in supplier relationships, it is essential to have a mindset of collaboration and be ready to tackle any obstacles that prevent organisational/supplier relationships from developing to their full potential. Through a proactive and cooperative problem-solving strategy, both parties can guarantee the delivery of best-in-class products and services that cater to their organisations' requirements. Supply issues must be resolved to benefit all stakeholders.
Product Management
Product Management
Supplier Management
Throughout a product or service's lifecycle, it is essential to adapt management strategies to suit the evolving market landscape. By understanding the unique demands of each phase, organisations can make informed decisions to maximise profitability and ensure long-term success. Effective lifecycle management involves continuous monitoring, analysis, and adjustment to meet the changing needs and demands of the marketplace.
Purchasing
Product Management
Quality Management
A team that purchases products and services on behalf of organisations to maximise customer service. Purchasing teams work to minimise the commercial risks of having excessive levels of capital tied up in inventory, whilst ensuring that the organisation meets its customer service strategy obligations. Purchasing maximises inventory availability and stimulates product and service innovation through supplier partnerships for the mutual benefit of its customers.
Quality Management
Product Management
Quality Management
A quality management system (QMS) comprises processes and procedures to ensure services and products meet and exceed customer expectations. These systems are typically replicable and quantifiable and focus on ongoing enhancements. ISO 9001 illustrates a quality management system. QMS systems can deliver various advantages but take time to install. Introducing a QMS cannot fix an organisation lacking quality-focused leadership.