ToolsGroup

JUNE 2, 2023

Once upon a time, the world of manufacturing was a relatively stable place. So how does a manufacturer navigate this rollercoaster? According to Gartner , these issues can lead to missed manufacturing deadlines and wasted capital. In fact, recent data shows that manufacturer inventory levels are up nearly 10% year over year.

Real-time Visibility 294

Real-time Visibility Manufacturing Procurement Optimal Sourcing Inventory Reduction 294

Supply Chain Shaman

FEBRUARY 18, 2021

Re-implement demand planning, trade promotion management, and revenue/price management together to improve the baseline demand signal. Advanced planning evolved with a focus on modeling manufacturing constraints. Initially, the output was published to procurement to design strategic buying strategies. This has changed.

Supply Chain Planning Software 355

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

SCMDOJO

OCTOBER 30, 2024

As businesses strive to enhance efficiency, resilience, and sustainability, the demand for skilled supply chain professionals has never been higher. This blog explores how MTSS platforms can be strategically utilized to build the competencies necessary for success in supply chain management.

Supply Chain Planning Software 97

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

Supply Chain Brain

JUNE 16, 2025

Without experienced managers in place, truck availability drops, repairs are delayed, and cost control becomes difficult. These individuals are key to maintaining operational efficiency, cost control, and compliance. Strong supplier agreements and pricing structures depend on consistent leadership. Rising costs.

Negotiating Skills 91

Negotiating Skills Supply Chain Planning Software Pricing Training Optimal Sourcing 91

Precoro

JUNE 3, 2025

Businesses often use it in retail and purchasing. Category management isn’t just another procurement trend. It’s a way for companies to group similar goods or services (like IT infrastructure, facilities, or raw materials) and manage them holistically instead of handling every purchase in isolation.

Manufacturing Procurement 45

Manufacturing Procurement Procurement Analytics Procurement Solutions Material Savings 45

Precoro

MARCH 27, 2025

Rising costs, supply chain chaos, and economic swings put businesses under enormous pressure to protect their margins. 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. 

Cost Reduction Strategies 45

Cost Reduction Strategies Price Reduction Expense Reduction Vendor Strategies 45

Supply Chain Opz

JANUARY 7, 2013

To the best of my knowledge, many business schools still use the case study " Apple Computers Supplier Hubs: A Tale of Three Cities " from Stanford University (1996). Interesting point is that Apple Inc has to make the pre-payments to some suppliers to secure the strategic raw materials. 1) Apples Supply Chain Model.

Case Study 279

Case Study Study Negotiating Skills Supply Chain Planning Software 279

QAD

MAY 22, 2025

Rising costs, geopolitical tensions, and tariffs demand a strategic and holistic approach to maintain profitability and competitive advantage. There are many ways an organization can cut supply chain costs. 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

SCMDOJO

FEBRUARY 26, 2025

Introduction As global supply chains evolve, ensuring cost efficiency is crucial. One way to assess the cost performance of any function within the supply chain is through Cost Performance Index (CPI). What contexts can it be used in and how, as well as the benefits of using cost performance index in supply chain contexts.

Negotiating Skills 52

Negotiating Skills Optimal Sourcing Negotiate Pricing Cost Reduction Strategies 52

Supply Chain Shaman

NOVEMBER 15, 2021

Especially grievous are the gaps between finance and operations, manufacturing and procurement, and the operations and commercial teams. We Assumed that Transportation Would Always Be Available And That We Just Needed to Negotiate Price. Lane RFPs focused on cost reduction, but few asked if they had a feasible plan.

Supply Chain Design Software 355

Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning Software Sourcing Strategies Supply and Demand 355

SCMDOJO

FEBRUARY 16, 2025

The Role of Agentic AI in Supply Chains Supply chains are dynamic and complex, requiring continuous decision-making across multiple functions, from procurement and inventory management to logistics and demand forecasting. Automates bidding processes and cost optimization. Here are some leading innovators in this space: 1.

Optimal Sourcing 72

Optimal Sourcing Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Software Sourcing Strategies 72

RFgen

JANUARY 16, 2025

Keeping track of all your moving parts in manufacturing is a tall order. That’s where manufacturing inventory management software comes in. We’re talking real-time tracking, automated purchasing, and a whole lot less stress. Its your single source of truth for inventory, constantly updated and readily available.

Inventory Management Software 52

Inventory Management Software Manufacturing Procurement Supply Chain Planning Software Optimization Software 52

Jaggaer

FEBRUARY 5, 2025

The Power of Source-to-Pay Digital Transformation To put it briefly, source-to-pay refers to the entire process that starts with finding, negotiating with, and contracting the suppliers of materials, goods and services, and culminates in the final payment for those items. Who Should Prioritize an S2P Digital Transformation?

Sourcing Strategies 52

Sourcing Strategies Optimal Sourcing Manufacturing Procurement Negotiating Skills 52

Talking Logistics

JUNE 30, 2015

In the last decade, many companies, especially those with manufacturing operations, have evolved direct materials sourcing from an administrative function to a strategic procurement process. As a strategic process, transportation procurement may still seem very tedious and challenging.

Negotiating Skills 100

Negotiating Skills Manufacturing Procurement Procurement Material Savings 100

Precoro

NOVEMBER 13, 2023

Financial efficiency, cost savings, and profitability undoubtedly fall under the main priorities of upper management, regardless of a company’s industry. However, only 30% of CPOs claim they have achieved their cost-saving targets in 2023. Why Is Purchase Price Variance Important?

Purchasing Skills 98

Purchasing Skills Procurement Analytics Negotiating Skills Negotiate Pricing 98

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. On average a P.O.

Optimal Sourcing 52

Optimal Sourcing Manufacturing Procurement Procurement Analytics Procurement Solutions 52

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.

Manufacturing Procurement 130

Manufacturing Procurement Optimal Sourcing Procurement Analytics Procurement Solutions 130

Silvon Software

APRIL 19, 2022

Procurement is one core process area being focused to better manage today’s fluctuating change, with key performance metrics leading the way to assessing and managing procurement performance. The Basics of Procurement KPIs. Every KPI needs a clearly defined goal.

Optimal Sourcing 124

Optimal Sourcing Procurement Analytics Manufacturing Procurement Negotiate Pricing 124

Precoro

JULY 16, 2023

The purchasing department plays a critical role in the success of an organization. Thought-out practices and well-managed workflows within the purchasing department are crucial for making sure that the company has the necessary resources available at the right time and at a reasonable cost.

Pricing Training 98

Pricing Training Purchasing Skills Procurement Analytics Purchasing Training 98

Silvon Software

APRIL 23, 2019

Companies that focus on strategic sourcing can generate substantial economic value not just by eliminating waste, reducing costs and improving administrative efficiency, but also by building stronger supplier relationships that can make them more competitive, profitable and nimble. AT A HIGH LEVEL ….

Purchasing Skills 90

Purchasing Skills Manufacturing Procurement Procurement Analytics Procurement Solutions 90

Freightos

APRIL 23, 2025

Home Introducing Freightos Enterprise: End-to-End Procurement, Benchmarking, and Management Freightos Enterprise unifies market intelligence, tender management, and shipment operations into one solution, enhancing logistics efficiency for large import-export businesses.

Optimal Sourcing 156

Optimal Sourcing Benchmarking Manufacturing Procurement Procurement 156

Supply Chain Shaman

DECEMBER 4, 2018

For the past five years, the team at Supply Chain Insights identified Supply Chains to Admire Award Winners by analyzing performance by peer group on the key metrics of growth, operating margin, inventory turns and Return on Invested Capital (ROIC). At Rockwell this includes all processes end-to-end except for manufacturing.

Supply Chain Software 34

Supply Chain Software Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software Manufacturing Procurement 34

SCMDOJO

JULY 3, 2023

In today’s fast-paced and competitive business landscape, organizations across industries are realizing the immense value of effective procurement practices. Procurement professionals play a vital role in driving operational efficiency, cost savings, and strategic decision-making.

Purchasing Training 98

Purchasing Training Negotiating Skills Buyer Training Manufacturing Procurement 98

SCMDOJO

APRIL 26, 2023

Category management is a procurement strategy that involves grouping similar products or services together into categories and managing them as a single unit. This approach can help organizations streamline their procurement processes, negotiate better deals with suppliers, and ultimately save money.

Procurement Solutions 108

Procurement Solutions Manufacturing Procurement Procurement Analytics Optimal Sourcing 108

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

SEPTEMBER 2, 2022

For some businesses – usually smaller or with a single-source purchasing flow – it may be sustainable to react to the immediate needs. However, growing organizations that face increasing complexity recognize the value of thoughtfully-planned and managed procurement. Office supplies would be an example of indirect procurement.

Manufacturing Procurement 98

Manufacturing Procurement Procurement Solutions Procurement Analytics Optimal Sourcing 98

Supply Chain Shaman

DECEMBER 4, 2018

For the past five years, the team at Supply Chain Insights identified Supply Chains to Admire Award Winners by analyzing performance by peer group on the key metrics of growth, operating margin, inventory turns and Return on Invested Capital (ROIC). At Rockwell this includes all processes end-to-end except for manufacturing.

Supply Chain Software 30

Supply Chain Software Case Study Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software 30

Talking Logistics

OCTOBER 29, 2013

What is this going to cost? You could answer them with a purchase order (P.O.) Besides providing fast, thorough answers to customers, today’s ERP, cloud-based SaaS, or 3PL-operated systems enable companies to manage the order lifecycle, control information and cargo flows, and reduce the total cost of goods. Sourcing uses P.O.

Pricing Training 163

Pricing Training Purchasing Skills Purchasing Training Supply Chain Planning Software 163

Logistics Viewpoints

JULY 27, 2021

The pandemic taught consumers that the most convenient and safest way to “get that thing” is to order it online and have it delivered, increasing not only the demand for qualified drivers but also the cost to hire. An impressive case study to be sure, but alas, the cost of the technology is still prohibitive for most companies.

Supply Chain Planning Software 246

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Software Predictive Analytics Software 246

Cathy Roberson

JUNE 1, 2025

The report will be available free for paid Substack subscribers but I’ll provide a summary and a link to the report in case you’re interested in either purchasing it separately or paying for an anuual subscribtion to my Substack articles. The topic/report will finally be on the logistics M&A through the end of May.

Purchasing Skills 60

Purchasing Skills Negotiating Skills Retail Manufacturing Procurement 60

Precoro

FEBRUARY 26, 2024

For procurement professionals, systemizing and optimizing cost centers is not just a matter of financial management; it's a strategic task for driving efficiency, controlling costs, and enhancing overall performance. Keep reading about: What Are Cost Centers? Keep reading about: What Are Cost Centers?

Optimal Sourcing 105

Optimal Sourcing Cost Reduction Strategies Optimization Software Negotiating Skills 105

Jaggaer

OCTOBER 24, 2024

The Art of Supplier Collaboration: Best Practices to Build Lasting Partnerships Dynamic market changes and global events seem to create newer demands and greater pressure on procurement professionals. Growth Strategic supplier relationships are vital for supporting business growth.

Optimal Sourcing 52

Optimal Sourcing Cost Reduction Strategies Inventory Reduction Resource Reduction 52

4WL Consulting

JULY 8, 2015

The previous decade has seen many companies, mainly those handling manufacturing operations, change how sourcing of direct materials is executed – from an administrative function to a somewhat strategic procurement approach that has seen the creation of a new position “the Chief Procurement Officer.”

Negotiating Skills 100

Negotiating Skills Manufacturing Procurement Material Savings Optimal Sourcing 100

Supply Chain Shaman

NOVEMBER 15, 2021

Especially grievous are the gaps between finance and operations, manufacturing and procurement, and the operations and commercial teams. We Assumed that Transportation Would Always Be Available And That We Just Needed to Negotiate Price. Lane RFPs focused on cost reduction, but few asked if they had a feasible plan.

Supply Chain Design Software 195

Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning Software Sourcing Strategies Supply and Demand 195

Supply Chain Shaman

NOVEMBER 15, 2021

Especially grievous are the gaps between finance and operations, manufacturing and procurement, and the operations and commercial teams. We Assumed that Transportation Would Always Be Available And That We Just Needed to Negotiate Price. Lane RFPs focused on cost reduction, but few asked if they had a feasible plan.

Supply Chain Design Software 195

Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning Software Sourcing Strategies Supply and Demand 195

Logistics Bureau

SEPTEMBER 4, 2023

Have you conducted a cost-to-serve (CTS) analysis for your enterprise? And that is the sole purpose of cost-to-serve analysis. If you were going to say, “What is a cost-to-serve analysis?” When costs begin to spiral out of control, the result is usually a loss of revenue in proportion to sales.

Negotiating Skills 98

Negotiating Skills Purchasing Skills Cost Reduction Strategies Analysis 98

Supply Chain Game Changer

NOVEMBER 19, 2018

From planning to negotiating to buying, from moving goods to processing goods, and from managing data to managing inventory. While every function must help your company grow and prosper when the heat is on uninformed Executives can view Supply Chain as merely a Cost Centre. Pressures for Cost Reduction in Supply Chain.

Negotiating Skills 95

Negotiating Skills Cost Reduction Strategies Purchasing Skills Inventory Reduction 95