Supply Chain Shaman

MAY 15, 2023

Use of Supply Chain Descriptors Most organizations are locked into functional silos driven by functional metrics. Stuck in a rut, supply chain leaders try to punch their way through a set of conflicting metrics and priorities each day. The metrics defining success in manufacturing and procurement do not align.

Manufacturing Procurement 468

Manufacturing Procurement Optimal Sourcing Agile and Lean Supply Chain Supply Chain Planning 468

Precoro

DECEMBER 24, 2024

Traditionally, procurement has been a process weighed down by manual tasks, fragmented systems, and endless paperwork. Today, procurement is undergoing a transformation. While procurement teams have long worked to add strategic value, Artificial Intelligence (AI) amplifies their impact.

Price Reduction 105

Price Reduction Sourcing Strategies Cost Reduction Strategies Expense Reduction 105

SCMDOJO

OCTOBER 28, 2024

Procurement People should learn the Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) Process. Procurement professionals can contribute significantly to the S&OP process by providing valuable insights into supply chain dynamics, identifying potential risks, and optimizing sourcing strategies.

S&OP 97

S&OP Optimal Sourcing Supply and Demand Material Savings 97

Logistics Viewpoints

APRIL 10, 2025

Sudden tariff increases can quickly make a cost-optimized procurement strategy untenable, leaving companies scrambling to adjust. For example, AI-enabled systems can monitor global trade activity, policy changes, and even weather patterns to flag emerging risks before they impact operations. Procurement is another area seeing change.

Optimal Sourcing 216

Optimal Sourcing Modeling Supply Chain Optimization Cost Reduction Strategies 216

Logistics Viewpoints

SEPTEMBER 4, 2023

Procuring transportation for freight is much different than any other procurement category. Transportation procurement needs to support both customer service and a company’s internal supply chain goals. One master of freight procurement is Kyle Masters. Procurement ran a request for proposal event.

Procurement Solutions 283

Procurement Solutions Procurement Analytics Manufacturing Procurement Optimal Sourcing 283

Precoro

MAY 19, 2025

Companies often push aside procurement compliance to focus on more pressing issues. No wonder—procurement often gets tedious and burdened with time-consuming processes. However, ignoring procurement compliance is like ignoring a ticking time bomb. Scroll down to find out: What is procurement compliance?

Procurement Analytics 45

Procurement Analytics Procurement Solutions Manufacturing Procurement Examples 45

Precoro

JUNE 3, 2025

Category management isn’t just another procurement trend. What procurement teams need is a clear view of their spend, tighter control, and a strategy that delivers lasting value—exactly what category management provides. Examples include office supplies, IT infrastructure, and facilities.

Manufacturing Procurement 45

Manufacturing Procurement Procurement Analytics Procurement Solutions Material Savings 45

Supply Chain Shaman

FEBRUARY 18, 2021

Initially, the output was published to procurement to design strategic buying strategies. Procurement became an island–isolated from the demand signal except for MRP. Watermelon Metrics Don’t Drive The Right Results. I love the metaphor of watermelon metrics. What are functional metrics?

Supply Chain Planning Software 355

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software Supply and Demand Procurement Analytics 355

ivalua

JUNE 12, 2025

If you’re evaluating procurement technology or exploring ways to drive more value from existing systems, chances are you’re looking beyond tactical fixes – you want a smarter, scalable strategy. Misaligned priorities across finance, legal, and procurement create friction that delays decision-making and reduces impact.

Cost Reduction Strategies 130

Cost Reduction Strategies Material Savings Expense Reduction Negotiating Skills 130

Logistics Viewpoints

AUGUST 15, 2022

GEP and the North Carolina State University (NCSU) Supply Chain Resource Cooperative surveyed supply chain, procurement and IT professionals across a range of industries to gain insight into their priorities and strategies regarding supply chain resilience and optimization. For example, are you still a minority owned company?

Supply Chain Network Software 309

Supply Chain Network Software Manufacturing Procurement Procurement Analytics Optimal Sourcing 309

RFgen

DECEMBER 4, 2024

Supply chain efficiency is the cornerstone of success and involves the effective management of processes, resources, and technologies from procurement to production, transportation to warehousing. Let’s break down these key components: Procurement: This is where it all begins.

Sourcing Strategies 96

Sourcing Strategies Waste Reduction Inventory Reduction Expense Reduction 96

Supply Chain Shaman

JANUARY 8, 2014

Interview for Metrics That Matter. My kitchen table is piled high with interviews for the upcoming book, Metrics That Matter. He is responsible for manufacturing, procurement, supply chain planning, logistics, quality, social responsibility and final product engineering. ” Supply Chain Leader. I am behind. The heat is on.

Procurement Analytics 279

Procurement Analytics Manufacturing Procurement Metrics Procurement Solutions 279

Supply Chain Shaman

APRIL 27, 2022

At each company, there is a relationship between the metrics of growth, margin, inventory, customer service, and asset strategy. For the purpose of this article, I will use Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) as the proxy metric to discuss asset utilization.) Let’s take P&G as an example. A Case Study. My learning?

Procurement Analytics 369

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

Unleashed

MARCH 9, 2021

What is procurement? In simple terms business procurement is the process of locating and acquiring goods and services from external sources for the business to use. Procurement activities include planning, sourcing, and negotiation, along with risk management, legal and value analysis. Procurement in 2021 and beyond.

Procurement Analytics 104

Procurement Analytics Procurement Solutions Optimal Sourcing Material Savings 104

Supply Chain Shaman

SEPTEMBER 3, 2018

We consistently see that companies focused on functional excellence–a focus within a functional silo like manufacturing, transportation or distribution– or singular metrics– like inventory or costs– underperform against their peer groups. Let me give you example. Reward teams for cross-functional metrics.

Supply Chain Planning Software 377

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software Agile and Lean Supply Chain Supply Chain Software 377

Supply Chain Shaman

DECEMBER 28, 2020

Let me make my point by sharing some financial data using client examples from the last decade. An example for this client would be to use 2017 and 2018 history to forecast 2019. In short, his vision of an end-to-end supply chain was transactional: better processing of order-to-cash and procure-to-pay.

Supply Chain Planning Software 418

Supply Chain Planning Software Forecasting Forecasting Software Modeling 418

Precoro

MAY 13, 2025

  In this guide, we’ll explore what cost efficiency is, examples, and best practices on how cost efficiency can make your company more competitive and profitable in today's fast-paced economy. Example of cost efficiency A TechRepair Company operates two service plans: Plan A costs $6,000 monthly and services 1,200 devices.

Sourcing Strategies 45

Sourcing Strategies Cost Reduction Strategies Purchasing Skills Negotiating Skills 45

Logistics Viewpoints

JANUARY 31, 2024

As regulations across the globe strengthen, the pressure to collect, report, and organize emission-related metrics has never been higher. Across the globe, requirements for stricter reporting on complex metrics are increasing.

Report 313

Report Data Material Savings Manufacturing Procurement 313

ivalua

NOVEMBER 29, 2022

In recent years, the overall state of Procurement has been bolstered by increased proficiency, expanding engagement, and a growing direct impact on operations. And they’re not the only ones—other department heads are also increasingly budget-conscious, creating a new opportunity to partner with procurement for better budget management.

Procurement Analytics 130

Procurement Analytics Metrics Manufacturing Procurement Optimal Sourcing 130

SCMDOJO

OCTOBER 30, 2024

Conversely, a student who quickly grasps procurement strategies can be challenged with advanced case studies and leadership projects. For example, a student might work on a project that involves analyzing sales data to predict future product demand, thereby learning how to adjust procurement strategies accordingly.

Supply Chain Planning Software 97

Supply Chain Planning Software Analytics Software Forecasting Software Predictive Analytics Software 97

Supply Chain Shaman

SEPTEMBER 17, 2014

There are three reasons why: Vertical excellence—having the best manufacturing, procurement or transportation function—has not worked. Aligned Metrics. An investment in SAP ERP improves transactional effectiveness in order-to-cash and procure-t0-pay. Take General Mills and Kellogg an example. ” Yes, I said.

Optimal Sourcing 365

Optimal Sourcing Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning Software Manufacturing Procurement 365

GlobalTranz

APRIL 25, 2016

3 Key Metrics for Measuring Supply Chain Performance Beyond Cost Reduction. Inventory measurement is critical and it is money after all in that it took a capital expense to procure. 10 Soft Metric Considerations in Measuring Supply Chain Performance. The goal is to keep inventory levels at a minimum to meet customer needs.

Procurement Analytics 120

Procurement Analytics Supply Chain Performance Metrics Supply Chain Software 120

ivalua

NOVEMBER 25, 2020

In August 2020 Gartner published this report “4 Tactics Procurement Can Use to Sustain Influence as Economic Conditions Improve” This blog summarizes the key points of the report which you can read in full, here. Procurement Teams Step-up. A Blueprint for Demonstrating the value of Strategic Procurement.

Optimal Sourcing 130

Optimal Sourcing Procurement Gartner Agile and Lean Supply Chain 130

Taulia

NOVEMBER 8, 2024

This blog highlights key strategies from these recent forums on sustainable procurement and practical tips to achieve impactful results. Procurement teams have a particularly important role in supporting companies’ sustainability goals. As such, procurement is the biggest lever companies can use to control greenhouse gas emissions.

Supply Chain Planning Software 98

Supply Chain Planning Software Optimization Software Supply Chain Software Optimal Sourcing 98

Supply Chain Shaman

JUNE 3, 2013

In the height of the e-commerce craze, the marketplace offerings started with a focus on e-procurement. The widely-held view was that the e-procurement market would fuel the next generation of marketplace applications. The rebirth of marketplace offerings is not on the back of e-procurement or ERP. The debates were heated.

Supply Chain Design Software 321

Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning Software Procurement Analytics Manufacturing Procurement 321

QAD

MAY 22, 2025

Depending on the nature of your business, your trading partners or your location, this could include procurement strategies, demand planning, logistics, and global trade management among others. Mastering Direct Spend Management Procurement teams generally do not report to the chief supply chain officer.

Cost Reduction Strategies 52

Cost Reduction Strategies Expense Reduction Price Reduction Waste Reduction 52

Silvon Software

JUNE 23, 2020

As I mentioned in my previous post, Sales Dashboards – 16 Metrics for Manufacturers , a strategy for measuring business performance should also incorporate metrics that focus on the supply chain and other operational areas of the enterprise. Nevertheless, measuring supply chain performance is critical for a manufacturing concern.

Manufacturing Procurement 111

Manufacturing Procurement Metrics Gartner Supply Chain Planning Software 111

Supply Chain Shaman

JUNE 6, 2013

Take the General Mills and Kellogg example in figure 1. Closing the gaps happens when there are aligned metrics, clarity of vision and aligned planning processes. Metrics Alignment. ” Planning leadership is a problem for most organizations. My focus here is to answer this second question. They lack cohesion.

Supply Chain Planning Software 330

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Planning Optimal Sourcing Scenario Planning 330

o9 Solutions

APRIL 8, 2025

This article is derived from our newest SRM White Paper, “One Platform, One Vision – The Benefits of a Unified AI-Driven Supply Chain Planning & Procurement Decision-Making Platform” Ask a procurement leader and a supply chain planner about their biggest priorities, and you’ll likely hear two very different answers.

Supply Chain Planning Software 52

Supply Chain Planning Software Optimal Sourcing Supply Chain Planning Cost Reduction Strategies 52

Precoro

NOVEMBER 11, 2024

In this article, we’ll explain what centralized purchasing is, the challenges it tackles, the benefits of centralized procurement, and the types of companies that can benefit most from it. That’s when a centralized procurement organization structure proves beneficial.

Pricing Training 105

Pricing Training Expense Reduction Price Reduction Purchasing Training 105

Jaggaer

APRIL 24, 2025

Supply chain management typically does not fit very well with procurement, which is a challenge at the best of times, and can be a disaster in difficult times. Then they became regional: for example, a North American supply chain and a European one. Procurement must adjust accordingly. Our thinking is still siloed.

Optimal Sourcing 52

Optimal Sourcing Manufacturing Procurement Procurement Analytics Demand Planning Software 52

Jaggaer

MAY 8, 2025

I am a big believer in procurement getting involved as early as possible in new product development based on all the market knowledge available. The worst-case scenario is product engineering developing a new product, selecting a supplier and then telling procurement to get on with negotiation.

Optimal Sourcing 52

Optimal Sourcing Manufacturing Procurement Procurement Analytics Procurement Solutions 52

GlobalTranz

JULY 28, 2021

That means identifying areas of waste, overlap and large volumes and enabling continuous improvement through the use of transportation metrics to track performance. Using an offshore vendor to manufacture a component for a larger automotive assembly is a typical example.

Optimal Sourcing 317

Optimal Sourcing Optimization Software Network Optimization Supply Chain Optimization 317

ivalua

AUGUST 17, 2021

What does Procurement mean? An organization’s Procurement function is responsible for managing spend, in other words the buying goods and services that are used to make the products sold to customers as well as the purchasing of products and services used to run the organization on a day to day basis. What is Direct Procurement?

Manufacturing Procurement 130

Manufacturing Procurement Optimal Sourcing Procurement Analytics Procurement Solutions 130

Precoro

MARCH 27, 2025

According to McKinsey & Company, procurement accounts for 50% to 80% of a company’s cost base. That’s why organizations zero in on strategies to achieve procurement cost reduction.    The key thing to remember is that cost reduction in procurement isn’t just about slashing expenses.

Cost Reduction Strategies 45

Cost Reduction Strategies Expense Reduction Price Reduction Vendor Strategies 45

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. per unit, reducing the actual cost to $90,000.

Purchasing Skills 69

Purchasing Skills Negotiating Skills Negotiate Pricing Procurement Analytics 69

Precoro

MAY 19, 2023

To monitor supply chain performance, stakeholders of successful companies typically define supply chain metrics that are relevant to the given business and track these KPIs regularly. By setting benchmarks for metrics, analysts can recognize unsettling trends and take preventive measures on time.

Procurement Analytics 98

Procurement Analytics Metrics Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Software 98