Track 2 Session 2

10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Supplier Management: Key to Reliability Success Means Understanding the Supplier's Capability

It is not practical to expect that the delivery of the product (as you want it and need it) will happen simply because you signed a contract. Yet this is often how it seems businesses want to handle supplier management. Hands-off supplier management – without accounting for the needs of expertise, time, communications and collaboration tools – means you are doomed to fail! Or, at best, you are subject to random chance and occasionally hitting the target. It is possible (and necessary!) to account for supplier weaknesses. However, this becomes increasingly difficult under time and cost pressures. If the supplier is missing any key attributes, then those must be developed and that will lead to time impacts. This presentation will discuss how you can push your way into the supplier selection process to avoid being left to the mercies of the purchasing department. You will see the key areas you must pay attention to, as well as the trade-offs.

Key Words: Supplier Evaluations, Supplier Management, Risk and Supplier Process Tools for Collaboration

Jon M. Quigley

Value Transformation LLC

Lexington, North Carolina

Kim H. Pries

Value Transformation LLC

El Paso, Texas