Unit 4 Assignment: Strategic Role of the Purchasing Function
In this assignment, you will execute some of the steps involved in developing a supply management strategy that will support your organization’s overall goals.
This assignment will assess your knowledge based on the following Outcome:
Evaluate the strategic impact and significance of the purchasing function.
Instructions
Address the following in your paper:
1. What is a high-level strategy or strategic goal of your organization that could be supported through better supply management?
2. Describe the key stakeholders when developing your strategy. Why are these people particularly important?
3. Evaluate the four sample supply management objectives on page 197 under the heading “Engaging Stakeholders to Build Category Strategy Objectives.” Which would you select as the most appropriate goal to pursue with your supply management strategy? Justify your answer by tying this goal to the objectives of your organization.
4. Analyze the various supply management strategies that are discussed beginning on page 230 under the heading “Types of Supply Management Strategies.” Which of these would be most relevant for what you are trying to accomplish? Explain how you would use that type of strategy to support the strategic goal of your organization that you identified earlier.
Db5
Supplier Evaluation
Supplier evaluation is difficult: A lot of different factors will ultimately determine whether the relationship will be successful. Some of these can be measured quantitatively, and some cannot, which makes evaluation even more complicated. Chapter 9 has examples of both types of factors to be considered.
For this Discussion, use your work experience and suggest one quantitative and one qualitative factor that you think your organization should use to evaluate its suppliers. If your work experience is not suitable, you can also select a well-known company and base the suggestions on their situation. Explain why the factors you select are important determinants of a successful supply relationship.
Reading
GLOBAL SUPPLY NETWORK
You will cover one of the keys to successful supply networks: going global. With ever-growing global competition, companies increasingly rely on expansive networks of dedicated suppliers all over the world in order to meet their business objectives. Worldwide sourcing of raw materials, components, finished goods, and services will continue to increase. Because of this, supply management personnel at all levels must become familiar with the nuances of worldwide sourcing.
Journal
1) Among the concepts you have learned, which do you think is most useful to you or your organization?
2) Which concept(s) caused the most confusion in this unit?
3) Which concept(s) did you wish went into further detail, either because you are interested or because it’s too complex for the coverage it received?