Supply Chain Shaman

MAY 13, 2024

Observations on What It Takes In the Mea Culpa post, I wrote that I used to believe that excellence in S&OP was a ratio of 60/30/10. (60% One of my favorite stories was his initiative to reduce the number of cuts of carrots in soups from 33 to three. Clearly Define an Operating Strategy. Measure to Improve Value.

S&OP 393

S&OP Supply and Demand Inventory Reduction Expense Reduction 393

Supply Chain Shaman

AUGUST 14, 2016

The client leaned across the table and asked, “Is a customer-centric supply chain strategy the same as a demand-driven supply chain strategy?” Drawing from the Whiteboard: Building Customer-Centric Supply Chain Strategies. Cost-to-Serve. It had been a long night. However, I had little time to be tired.

Material Savings 246

Material Savings Inventory Reduction Price Reduction Cost Reduction Strategies 246

Logistics Viewpoints

DECEMBER 2, 2021

There will be little relief in 2022 unless the factors driving the increased import volumes—a strong economy and the fundamental shift in consumer behavior to purchase more goods and less services—change. Near or re-shoring sourcing strategies will be evaluated to “shorten” supply chains and gain greater control of supply chain performance.

Predictive Analytics Software 354

Predictive Analytics Software Predictive Analytics Waste Reduction Cost Reduction Strategies 354

RFgen

DECEMBER 19, 2024

But between rising costs, complex logistics, and the constant struggle to optimize space and labor, staying ahead can feel like an uphill battle. By maximizing space utilization, improving inventory control , and boosting workflow efficiency, you can unlock significant cost savings and elevate your customer service game.

Optimal Sourcing 97

Optimal Sourcing Optimization Software Waste Reduction Inventory Reduction 97

SCMDOJO

JANUARY 9, 2025

Think of them as apples and gearseach essential and effective on its own, yet when combined; they create a formidable mechanism for achieving procurement excellence. This article delves into how these two elements, working together, can transform procurement strategies into long-term competitive advantages.

Optimal Sourcing 98

Optimal Sourcing Manufacturing Procurement Procurement Solutions Negotiating Skills 98

Supply Chain Shaman

MAY 21, 2024

In follow-up qualitative interviews, one of the largest issues with organizational alignment was metric definition and a clear definition of supply chain excellence. For example, a cost improvement in one function could raise the costs in another. For example, a cost improvement in one function could raise the costs in another.

Procurement Analytics 393

Procurement Analytics Metrics Optimal Sourcing Supply Chain Planning Software 393

DELMIA Quintiq

NOVEMBER 17, 2020

From raw material procurement to final product sales, these supply chains’ ability to minimize inventory through product life cycle controls and facilitate prompt product supply is every bit as important as product differentiation strategies. To achieve this, having the right planning solution is crucial.

Optimal Sourcing 296

Optimal Sourcing Manufacturing Procurement Supply Chain Optimization Supply Chain Planning Software 296

Supply Chain Shaman

DECEMBER 27, 2022

In a recent research project, we found that 2/3 of companies had a digital supply chain transformation strategy; however, those that were evolving their strategy performed better during the early months of the pandemic than those that were “clear” on the project plan for a digital transformation. I know, a head-scratcher.

Supply Chain Software 418

Supply Chain Software Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software Inventory Reduction 418

Supply Chain Shaman

OCTOBER 4, 2018

In most value networks, downstream partners have progressively pushed costs and waste backwards in the extended supply chain. I wanted to say, “You let the consultants influence you to buy the wrong technologies based on IT standardization. Gaps in Inventory Strategies. Most planning happens in Excel Spreadsheets.

Inventory Management Software 337

Inventory Management Software Inventory Reduction Inventory Management Supply Chain Planning Software 337

RFgen

DECEMBER 27, 2024

This prevents stockouts, reduces waste from overstocking, and optimizes your warehouse operations. Financial Management: Integrate your financial data with your production processes for a comprehensive view of your costs and profitability. This allows for accurate costing, streamlined accounting, and better financial reporting.

Supply Chain Planning Software 98

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software Manufacturing Procurement Inventory Management Software 98

Procurement Academy

APRIL 24, 2025

When you look behind the scenes of a global business operation, procurement strategy and supply chain management are usually top priorities, though theyre not always working in sync. But the truth is, when these two functions join forces, the results can be game-changing: lower costs, faster responses, and a more resilient operation overall.

Optimal Sourcing 52

Optimal Sourcing Negotiating Skills Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software 52

Logistics Viewpoints

DECEMBER 1, 2022

The only bright note is that shipping costs will be a fraction of what they were over the last several years. Theme 2: Online buying will fuel home delivery growth, challenges and new strategies. 2023 call: Consumers will focus on home delivery performance and retailers will focus on home delivery cost reduction or recovery.

Predictive Analytics Software 301

Predictive Analytics Software Logistics Network Optimization Software Cost Reduction Strategies Resource Reduction 301

Logistics Viewpoints

JUNE 8, 2023

Technology for All In a retail era dominated by e-commerce giants, customer expectations have shifted towards instant product delivery at no cost. Previously, only large companies such as Amazon and FedEx possessed the network and scale required for cost-effective same-day and next-day shipping.

Modeling Software 278

Modeling Software Optimization Software Supply Chain Network Software Logistics Network Optimization Software 278

SCMDOJO

MARCH 24, 2025

Introduction Gardner, (1954) and Huntzinger, (2007) define Purchase price variance (PPV) as a metric used to measure the effectiveness of cost-saving efforts by calculating the difference between the planned cost (standard pricing) allocated for purchasing activities and the actual cost incurred.

Purchasing Skills 58

Purchasing Skills Negotiating Skills Negotiate Pricing Procurement Analytics 58

Logistics Viewpoints

APRIL 25, 2024

Yards are a choke point between transportation and warehousing — and wherever you have choke points, you have a higher risk of inefficiencies that drive up labor costs, detention fees and delivery commitments. Create a facilities “Center of Excellence.” The returns on these kinds of efforts will be swift and tangible.

Expense Reduction 316

Expense Reduction Cost Reduction Strategies Supply Chain Design Software Inventory Reduction 316

Supply Chain Shaman

JANUARY 9, 2024

How Do You Define Excellence? In retrospect, I find that technology is an enabler, but only if we are clear on what defines supply chain excellence. Many believe that an ex-supply chain exec knows the definition of supply chain excellence. Similarly, a focus on cost of goods seldom translates to improved operating margin.

Supply Chain Planning Software 386

Supply Chain Planning Software Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Planning Gartner 386

Logility

JULY 22, 2024

As Raheel Hussain, Director of the Supply Chain Center of Excellence at Reynolds Consumer Products notes during a recent webinar , a level of synchronization is critical to systemically share information and cut down the constant offline back-and-forth (conversations) between different functions.

Continuous Improvement 207

Continuous Improvement Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Software Cost Reduction Strategies 207

Supply Chain Shaman

DECEMBER 17, 2018

Nick Lynch is the Global Excellence Manager at Shell Lubricants, a division of Shell Global. The lubricants are oils and greases to reduce friction and prevent moving machine parts from grinding. What can often look like compliance in APO could actually be numbers calculated in Excel and posted into the SAP system.

Demand Planning Software 322

Demand Planning Software Supply and Demand Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software 322

Supply Chain Shaman

APRIL 29, 2024

The investment in these outdated concepts is an opportunity cost to improve outcomes. In 2012, when I started Supply Chain Insights , I believed that I could revolutionize the purchase of supply chain planning solutions by initiating a rating and review process across trading partners. Buying supply chain planning software is hard.

Supply Chain Planning Software 417

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Software Forecasting Software 417

Supply Chain Shaman

DECEMBER 15, 2022

When reviewing strategy decks for supply chain teams, I often see statements like “move from a functional-silo’d focus to a drive a more holistic response.” ” Or “push a shift from a focus on cost to drive value?” And, how do you tie functional excellence to corporate value?”

Manufacturing Procurement 397

Manufacturing Procurement Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning Software Procurement Analytics 397

Supply Chain Shaman

JUNE 28, 2021

” Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater “ is an idiomatic expression for an avoidable error where something good is eliminated when trying to get rid of something bad, or in other words, rejecting the favorable along with the unfavorable. Consumers constantly change the mix preferences in purchases.

Supply Chain Planning Software 322

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning Supply Chain Software 322

Supply Chain Shaman

APRIL 27, 2022

Supply chain excellence is easier to say than to explain. At each company, there is a relationship between the metrics of growth, margin, inventory, customer service, and asset strategy. Keith was an undisputed leader in building talent to drive manufacturing excellence. Business leaders are action-oriented and competitive.

Procurement Analytics 369

Procurement Analytics Manufacturing Procurement Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software 369

DELMIA Quintiq

DECEMBER 2, 2019

Sixty-one percent of consumers said the availability of same-day delivery would make them more loyal to a retailer, yet only one percent would be willing to pay for full delivery costs. Supply Chain Dive reports that the last leg of a journey can account for up to 28 percent of a product’s total transportation costs.

Eliminating Excel in Purchasing 45

Eliminating Excel in Purchasing Supply Chain Planning Software Purchasing Skills How To 45

Logistics Viewpoints

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022

Second, the pandemic kicked online buying and home delivery into “high gear” as many consumers embraced its convenience and dramatically expanded the scope of their online purchasing. Consumers are making purchasing decisions based upon environmental impact. What are your sustainable delivery strategies?

Sustainability 278

Sustainability Eliminating Excel in Purchasing Cost Reduction Strategies Resource Reduction 278

Logistics Viewpoints

APRIL 21, 2022

On one hand, consumers expect to increase their online purchases post-pandemic. Retailers and delivery services companies that can break through today’s cycle of mediocre home delivery performance stand an excellent chance of improving customer loyalty and growing market share. Here are three charts that paint the whole picture.

Optimal Sourcing 278

Optimal Sourcing Eliminating Excel in Purchasing Purchasing Skills Sourcing Strategies 278

SCMDOJO

DECEMBER 29, 2024

Key takeaways Importance of Procurement Procurement vs. Purchasing Key Functions Departmental Structure Role Descriptions The blog emphasizes the significance of a well-structured procurement department with qualified personnel to achieve organizational objectives. Read In Detail About Procurement Department Here 2.

Negotiating Skills 93

Negotiating Skills Purchasing Skills Purchasing Training Buyer Training 93

Supply Chain Shaman

SEPTEMBER 27, 2021

Unloading times are double and costs are triple. As a result, most projects are not clear in scope, with the implementation of visibility as a “functional extension to existing process” lacking a holistic outside-in approach/strategy to sense, respond, and act. Design an Over-Arching Strategy and Building Blocks.

Supply Chain Planning Software 390

Supply Chain Planning Software Sourcing Strategies Manufacturing Procurement Supply Chain Design Software 390

Supply Chain Shaman

JUNE 30, 2023

Each executive has a different perspective on the definition of supply chain excellence, but they are never discussed and aligned. His organization purchased an advanced planning technology from well-known best of breed provider, and the implementation should have been successful, but it was not. What Is The Ring of Fire?

Supply Chain Planning Software 387

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software Agile and Lean Supply Chain Eliminating Excel in Purchasing 387

Supply Chain Shaman

NOVEMBER 11, 2020

Today, supply chain excellence matters more than ever. Until there are clear answers, business leaders should avoid buying software from companies with deep investments by venture capitalists. Kinaxis Purchase of Rubikloud. The purchase of Rubikloud by Kinaxis shows just how little the Kinaxis team knows about demand management.

Supply Chain Design Software 362

Supply Chain Design Software Procurement Solutions Manufacturing Procurement Supply Chain Planning Software 362

Jaggaer

MARCH 24, 2025

Top 3 Procurement Technologies to Embrace in 2025 Staying ahead of key procurement technology and advancements is essential for CPOs who want to improve spend cost reduction, drive strategic value, and navigate the increasingly complex procurement landscape.

Optimal Sourcing 52

Optimal Sourcing Procurement Analytics Procurement Solutions Negotiating Skills 52

Supply Chain Shaman

JULY 6, 2020

Ed argued that instead of buying new packaging equipment that we should work with R&D to have a base flavor and add the color and flavoring at the head of the machine. He felt that inventory was no problem, he would just cut it at the end of each quarter to make the balance sheet goals. Please do not email bomb my inbox…).

Agile and Lean Supply Chain 362

Agile and Lean Supply Chain Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Strategy 362

Supply Chain Shaman

NOVEMBER 15, 2023

In the PWC survey, the focus for the supply chain leader for the next 12-18 months is cost reduction, which raises questions for me and makes me sad. Based on the Supply Chains to Admire analysis, the first question is: Why do the cost reduction strategies not translate into operating margin improvement against peer groups?

Supply Chain Planning Software 418

Supply Chain Planning Software Optimal Sourcing Modeling Forecasting Software 418

The Logistics of Logistics

OCTOBER 30, 2023

Over his 30+ year career in the supply chain, Richard has worked with manufacturers around the world in operations, supply chain, and lean strategy roles to develop systems that can manage complex supply chains on a global scale. Richard previously founded and led Factory Logic, Inc. acquired by SAP). The Greenscreens.ai

Optimal Sourcing 278

Optimal Sourcing Inventory Reduction Supply Chain Design Software Manufacturing Procurement 278

SCMDOJO

FEBRUARY 20, 2023

To get ahead in today’s competitive marketplace, distributors must remain on the cutting edge of innovation and stay up-to-date on new developments. Therefore, evaluating performance and creating a comprehensive digitalization strategy are essential for a distributor’s success.

Inventory Reduction 119

Inventory Reduction Cost Reduction Strategies Resource Reduction Supply Chain Planning Software 119

DELMIA Quintiq

DECEMBER 28, 2020

Working with Excel spreadsheets does not contribute the efficiency, speed and agility necessary for planning teams to bring the best plans to the company. On the contrary, it eliminates the possibility of creating integrated scenarios, excluding the possibility of the best choice.

Supply Chain Planning Software 296

Supply Chain Planning Software Scenario Planning Modeling Prescriptive Analytics Software 296

SCMDOJO

APRIL 11, 2025

Economic downturns can disrupt the flow of goods, increase operational costs, and reduce profit margins. In this blog post, well explore the importance of robust supply chains, the key risks they face during economic downturns, and practical strategies. Recession-proofing a supply chain doesn’t mean eliminating all risks.

Supply Chain Planning Software 58

Supply Chain Planning Software Inventory Reduction Waste Reduction Cost Reduction Strategies 58

The Logistics of Logistics

MARCH 16, 2022

Esther is the Chief Revenue Officer at Flowspace , an ecommerce fulfillment platform that helps brands meet their customers’ post-purchase expectations. Flowspace is an ecommerce fulfillment platform that helps brands meet their customers’ post-purchase expectations. About Esther Kestenbaum Prozan.

Supply Chain Network Software 245

Supply Chain Network Software Supply Chain Planning Software Network Optimization Network Optimization Software 245