Supply chains capture the entire process of planning, sourcing, production, and selling a product to customers. A supply chain includes manufacturers who produce and assemble a product, the distribution channels, retail or wholesale sellers, and a host of steps/stakeholders in-between.
The ability to successfully manage an entire supply chain is critical to any company hoping to compete in today’s fast-moving marketplace. Industry leaders are able to successfully manage and integrate each level of the supply chain, all while regularly optimizing it for performance and productivity.
Understanding Supply Chain Management
Managing an entire supply chain can be costly. Outsourcing this process to experts in the field at Stephen Gould can save a business time and money by minimizing operating expenses and maximizing profit margins.
Creating, managing, and continually analyzing a supply chain requires the identification of trouble areas before they are an issue, creating solutions, and implementing an overarching plan.
A supply chain is a complex measure, bringing together the manufacturing, sales, and accounting branches of a business. Implementing an efficient supply chain can be difficult with these competing priorities and a multitude of systems. With industry-leading experts at Stephen Gould, accomplishing this can be simplified.
How to Optimize Your Supply Chain
Optimizing a supply chain occurs when a business has the appropriate processes in place and tools needed to ensure manufacturing and distribution facilities are operating at optimal capacity. This optimization process ensures that a business is in the best position to maximize sales and revenue by ensuring products are made with cost-effective materials, utilizing the right partners and channels, and are available in the right locations for the target audience.
It’s common for businesses to struggle with in-house supply chain management. Outsourcing aspects such as logistics, customer service, and fulfilment can simplify supply chain dynamics and help guide a business on the right long-term path. Stephen Gould is the perfect supply chain partner for businesses of all sizes.
Supply Chain Flows Can Be Both Physical and Informational
The supply chain is often thought of as a physical flow, but it is also an informational flow. The physical flow of a supply chain involves the production, transportation, storage, and sale of a product.
On the other hand, the informational flow of the supply chain is the sharing of information and data along various supply chain touchpoints or partners. Those partners along the supply chain often coordinate their own long-term plans and help control the day-to-day flow of products throughout the chain.
At Stephen Gould, we will work with your team to help manage both the physical and informational flow at each step, from manufacturing to sale.
Transform Your Supply Chain With Stephen Gould
Our supply chain experts at Stephen Gould utilize supply chain management assessments to obtain information, provide insight, and later transform a business’ supply chains.
Sourcing Analysis
Sourcing analysis is the process in which a business works collaboratively with their suppliers to align objectives with purchasing priorities. By leveraging a business’ suppliers, sourcing analysis works with a goal of producing cost benefits over the long term.
Looking at the big picture with a goal of adding long-term value, the focus is to build sustainable, long-term relationships with suppliers and other partners, with the end goal of saving money.
Supplier Selection and Onboarding
Supplier selection and onboarding is the process that enables businesses to collect documentation to qualify, approve and contract suppliers. This is similar to onboarding a new employee: new suppliers are onboarded to understand business practices and information, their processes, and regulations pertinent to their particular industry.
Supply Chain Analysis and Risk Optimization
Continual analysis of supply chain functions, such as operating expenses and gross margin of return on invested inventory, ultimately helps products arrive in the customer’s hands at the lowest total cost and fastest level. At Stephen Gould, we analyze the performance of a supply chain while optimizing the risk.
Our sales offices and trusted partner facilities are strategically placed around the whole, helping the experts at Stephen Gould transform your global supply chain. We offer unparalleled insight into all manufacturing processes and each step along your individual supply chain.
At Stephen Gould, our supply chain management services include sourcing analysis, supplier selection and onboarding, procurement planning, performance analysis and risk optimization. Contact us today for additional supply chain consulting and assessment information.
