Supplier management is a game-changer for any organization that relies on external partners to get things done. It’s about building and maintaining strong relationships with suppliers to keep operations smooth and costs in check.
- Consistent quality. People don’t want to disappoint their clients. By having a representative in-house a relationship can be built, furthering the desire to perform
- Cost reduction. By witnessing various parts of the supplier delivery process, you firsthand identify unnecessary or over spec’d requirements
- Increase reliability. Many times, cold eyes on a process can see things that an employee close to the fire can’t see. This can catch possible quality issues
- On time delivery. By being present, you get firsthand knowledge of when parts are arriving, and progress is being made. Early identification of issues allow you to compensate
- Mitigate risks. Being in-house allows you to see quality non-conformances in real time and to get input into the resolution.
- Fosters innovation. This opens the door to collaboration. Suppliers might suggest new materials, tech, or processes that give you a competitive edge.
- Improves communication. Regular check-ins and clear expectations mean fewer misunderstandings and quicker resolutions.
In short, supplier management turns vendors into allies. It’s the backbone of a lean, dependable operation that saves money and headaches while keeping quality high.
