Logistics Viewpoints

APRIL 10, 2025

Resilience is the ability to respond to disruption while maintaining core operations, and more companies are shifting their strategies accordingly. Sudden tariff increases can quickly make a cost-optimized procurement strategy untenable, leaving companies scrambling to adjust. Procurement is another area seeing change.

Optimal Sourcing 222

Optimal Sourcing Modeling Supply Chain Optimization Cost Reduction Strategies 222

RFgen

DECEMBER 19, 2024

Scaling manufacturing operations is crucial for business growth but presents unique challenges. Balancing increased demand with consistent quality and controlled costs is difficult but essential for manufacturers looking to expand. Successfully scaling manufacturing requires more than just adding resources.

Material Savings 92

Material Savings Sourcing Strategies Resource Reduction Inventory Reduction 92

Supply Chain Shaman

DECEMBER 13, 2021

Yes, a time when well-meaning supply chain leaders share their strategy decks for the upcoming year and ask me for an opinion. How do we design work systems to align organizations and ensure that there is the right balance of reward systems with metrics? In the design of the digital program, spend time on metrics and reward systems.

Cost Reduction Strategies 413

Cost Reduction Strategies Price Mitigation Strategies Supply Chain Strategy Supply Chain Design Software 413

Supply Chain Shaman

JUNE 17, 2025

This is amplified across the supply chain into an exponential impact on inventory and planned orders for manufacturing. When we measure the bullwhip impact (in my class on outside-in process thinking), the bullwhip between manufacturing and procurement is 2-3X. With the unabated growth in complexity, the bullwhip effect grew.

Supply Chain Planning Software 195

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Planning Supply Chain Software Scenario Planning 195

Supply Chain Game Changer

JUNE 24, 2025

Simply by searching for a pair of shoes within an intuitive user interface, users are given a seemingly limitless amount of choices each with prices, photos, measurements, and any other metric a shopper could desire. To manufacturing professionals, this may seem natural, even inevitable.

Manufacturing Procurement 75

Manufacturing Procurement Procurement Solutions Procurement Analytics Optimal Sourcing 75

Enchange Supply Chain Consultancy

JUNE 10, 2025

Now for the Do’s & Don’ts In the dynamic world of FMCG, your Route to Market (RTM) strategy and distributor partnerships can make or break your brand’s success. Do Set Clear KPIs and Governance Structures : Establish transparent metrics for sales, coverage, and service levels. Ensure margins are fair and sustainable.

Waste Reduction 165

Waste Reduction Vendor Strategies Inventory Reduction Cost Reduction Strategies 165

SCMDOJO

JANUARY 9, 2025

Strategic sourcing and innovative solutions are often viewed as two distinct procurement tools, but they should not be seen in isolation. 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.

Optimal Sourcing 98

Optimal Sourcing Manufacturing Procurement Procurement Solutions Negotiating Skills 98

Logistics Viewpoints

APRIL 6, 2023

Procurement and Supply Chain Management are essential functions that can help companies navigate these challenges, but they are often siloed and operate in separate departments. Their metrics are often misaligned as well – supply chain focuses on service and procurement focuses on the cost of acquiring materials and services.

Optimal Sourcing 246

Optimal Sourcing Sourcing Strategies Manufacturing Procurement Material Savings 246

ivalua

JUNE 26, 2023

Blog » Procurement on the Thames: Ivalua’s London Summer Symposium June 26, 2023 | | Thought Leadership by Eloise Barnum As businesses navigate through supply chain disruptions, high inflation, and sustainability initiatives, procurement, and supplier management has taken center stage in driving change.

Optimal Sourcing 244

Optimal Sourcing Manufacturing Procurement Procurement Sourcing Strategies 244

Jaggaer

NOVEMBER 14, 2024

In today’s dynamic market, procurement is far more than just a buying and purchasing center. Forward-thinking organizations have transformed the department into an untapped gold mine that creates value for the entire end-to-end manufacturing process—from design and sourcing to production and delivery.

Manufacturing Procurement 52

Manufacturing Procurement Optimal Sourcing Procurement Solutions Procurement Analytics 52

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.” Layering CRM and SRM on top of ERP made sales and procurement more efficient but less effective in working with trading partners and serving the organization.

Manufacturing Procurement 397

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

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. In the automotive sector, manufacturers are simultaneously reducing inventory costs and delivery times.

Sourcing Strategies 96

Sourcing Strategies Inventory Reduction Waste Reduction Expense Reduction 96

Supply Chain Shaman

FEBRUARY 18, 2021

Advanced planning evolved with a focus on modeling manufacturing constraints. 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.

Supply Chain Planning Software 355

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

Supply Chain Shaman

APRIL 18, 2023

For organizations layered in functional metrics and driving a cost agenda, this is a tough nut to crack. In the face of variability, this is two-to-six weeks too long to make allocation or procurement decisions. Rationalize global strategies to focus on building markets based on in-market sourcing. Tougher than most understand.

Supply Chain Planning Software 417

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software Optimal Sourcing Supply Chain Software 417

RFgen

DECEMBER 19, 2024

That’s the power of manufacturing data collection. Manufacturing data collection is your secret weapon for boosting efficiency, cutting waste, and staying ahead of the competition. Manufacturing data collection is your secret weapon for boosting efficiency, cutting waste, and staying ahead of the competition.

Manufacturing Procurement 98

Manufacturing Procurement Optimization Software Supply Chain Planning Software Inventory Reduction 98

Supply Chain Shaman

SEPTEMBER 3, 2018

Second, they adapt over time as market structures and strategies evolve. 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.

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

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.) Supply chain excellence was largely defined as manufacturing excellence.

Procurement Analytics 369

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

Supply Chain Shaman

DECEMBER 28, 2020

The first story is about a large regional food manufacturer. The second story is about a regional beverage manufacturer. George’s stated goal was an “end-to-end supply chain strategy,” but the verbage rambled in a non-sensical cycle of monosyllabic industry slang when asked to define it. The answer?

Supply Chain Planning Software 418

Supply Chain Planning Software Forecasting Forecasting Software Modeling 418

Supply Chain Brain

JUNE 22, 2025

Bowman, SupplyChainBrain In the rush to adjust sourcing strategies in line with current trends in international trade, the answer might be to think small. manufacturers have spent the last few decades consolidating production at gigantic offshore plants, especially in China. Enter the concept of the “microfactory.”

Manufacturing Procurement 76

Manufacturing Procurement Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Design Optimal Sourcing 76

Supply Chain Shaman

JANUARY 7, 2015

Tomorrow, I have a call with a manufacturing company to answer the question, “ What is the most important concept in the book?” While Joe is trying to balance the feedback from Filipe and Frank, he is often asked to change his metric targets by his CFO named Lou. Achieving Balance in Metrics. I have three.

Metrics 150

Metrics Agile and Lean Supply Chain Manufacturing Procurement Modeling 150

Supply Chain Brain

JULY 1, 2025

First Insight, which works with major retailers like Gap, Under Armour and Marks & Spencer , to optimize their pricing, merchandising and inventory strategies, has turned its attention to making sure retailers can take control of their pricing and inventory strategies using real-time customer insights and predictive scenario modeling.

Price Reduction 87

Price Reduction Inventory Reduction Cost Reduction Strategies Resource Reduction 87

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

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. You can refine as you go! Inventory Turns and Sales-to-Inventory Ratio.

Manufacturing Procurement 111

Manufacturing Procurement Metrics Gartner Supply Chain Planning Software 111

Supply Chain Shaman

JUNE 5, 2013

Manufacturing is designed and planned in isolation. Management and planning of the entire network against a value network strategy. Integration of corporate social responsibility metrics in planning. Recognition of asset strategies in go-to-market plans. Manufacturing. Tactical Supply. Focus is on a feasible plan.

Supply Chain Planning Software 255

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Planning Supply and Demand Supply Chain Design Software 255

Supply Chain Shaman

OCTOBER 1, 2013

As I work with companies, I often contrast the strategies, approaches and outcomes within a peer group. Both companies provide packaging materials to the food manufacturing industry. They were unclear on their supply chain strategy and the role of supply chain planning. The decision was a political tug of war.

Illinois 253

Illinois Waste Reduction S&OP Supply Chain Planning Software 253

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. Alex Zhong, Director Product Marketing at GEP.

Supply Chain Network Software 310

Supply Chain Network Software Manufacturing Procurement Procurement Analytics Optimal Sourcing 310

Logistics Viewpoints

JUNE 29, 2023

By fostering collaboration across all stakeholders, including suppliers, manufacturers, and logistics providers, companies can enhance visibility, streamline processes, and proactively address disruptions. Configure to Order: This strategy involves customizing standard products based on customer specifications.

Manufacturing Procurement 270

Manufacturing Procurement Procurement Analytics Material Savings Inventory Reduction 270

Supply Chain Shaman

MARCH 21, 2024

During the 1980s, I was on a management team for a large manufacturer. The Company was attempting to gain economies of scale by grouping manufacturing technologies within a common infrastructure to reap the benefits of a co-generation facility, a centralized warehouse, and a talented administrative team. Lack of aligned metrics.

Inventory Reduction 434

Inventory Reduction Supply Chain Planning Software Cost Reduction Strategies Supply Chain Design Software 434

Jaggaer

OCTOBER 24, 2024

Supplier Collaboration: Fundamental to Elevating Manufacturing Performance Supplier relationships are at the heart of manufacturing performance. That’s why supplier collaboration—that consistent, trusted, and responsive interaction between supplier and manufacturer—is pivotal to manufacturing success.

Manufacturing Procurement 52

Manufacturing Procurement Optimal Sourcing Sourcing Strategies Supply Chain Planning Software 52

Taulia

NOVEMBER 8, 2024

This blog highlights key strategies from these recent forums on sustainable procurement and practical tips to achieve impactful results. In addition, the EU Green Deal provides an overarching strategy for climate action, while the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) aims to address carbon leakage.

Supply Chain Planning Software 98

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

RFgen

NOVEMBER 27, 2024

Supply chain optimization software tracks items as they move through your supply chain and generate alerts at important points to improves decision-making and enhance visibility across the supply chain by integrating various capabilities like procurement, inventory, and customer relationship management.

Optimal Sourcing 98

Optimal Sourcing Supply Chain Optimization Modeling Inventory Reduction 98

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

GlobalTranz

DECEMBER 29, 2014

We’ve already listed the top 10 manufacturing blog posts and the top 10 supply chain blog posts last week. When a manufacturer’s product normally moves through the supply chain network, it is to reach the distributor or customer. Any process or management after the sale of the product involves reverse logistics.

Logistics Network Optimization Software 321

Logistics Network Optimization Software Reverse Logistics Manufacturing Procurement Logistics 321

Supply Chain Brain

JUNE 17, 2025

That includes everything from raw materials and manufacturing to packaging and logistics. Tesco and Walmart have announced procurement policies aimed at reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainability throughout their extended supply chains. Known as Scope 3 emissions, these are also the most difficult to measure and manage.

Rail Software 91

Rail Software Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Software 91

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

Supply Chain Shaman

DECEMBER 13, 2021

Yes, a time when well-meaning supply chain leaders share their strategy decks for the upcoming year and ask me for an opinion. How do we design work systems to align organizations and ensure that there is the right balance of reward systems with metrics? In the design of the digital program, spend time on metrics and reward systems.

Sourcing Strategies 195

Sourcing Strategies Cost Reduction Strategies Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning Software 195

Supply Chain Brain

JUNE 17, 2025

Koganti urged the procurement audience to look for whats referred to as “foresight function” in planning tools, which is capable of enhancing data analysis, scenario generation and trend identification , allowing for more informed and proactive decision-making, albeit with human oversight.

Supply Chain Planning Software 100

Supply Chain Planning Software Optimal Sourcing Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Software 100