Strategic sourcing is the practise of evaluating and selecting suppliers based on their potential to provide high-quality products and services at the most affordable costs. Establishing long-term relationship with important suppliers, negotiating contracts, and continually evaluating and improving those suppliers’ performance are common steps in this process. Strategic sourcing aims to enhance an organization’s procurement procedures and assist it in obtaining the best value for its plutocrat.
Planning and strategy are essential when sourcing goods from China or any other nation. There is paperwork, documentation required, goods managed, and a planned strategy for product sourcing. However, due to the complexity, everyone cannot adopt a strategic sourcing strategy. Strategic sourcing consultants can help with it.
Strategic Sourcing Consultant is an expert in procurement or purchasing who assists firms in adopting a strategic sourcing strategy. From the initial concept until delivery, every element of the procurement cycle is considered in this role. Strategic sourcing consultants assist organisations in getting the greatest value for money rather than settling for the lowest-priced goods.
Responsibilities of Strategic Sourcing Consultant
To satisfy the needs of the business and its partners.
Sourcing complicated materials is one of the first liabilities of a strategic sourcing consultant. The consultant will also negotiate over the product’s best value for it to satisfy the corporate requirements.
Participate in the cross-functional process of the organization.
A strategic sourcing consultant should bargain to win the contract for services or products by taking part in cross-sectional teams. He/she will create the Request for Proposals (RFPs) using his/her knowledge of commercial expenses, criterion research, and plans. Additionally, the consultant serves as a point of contact for both clients and suppliers during the RFP process.
Preparing documentation and following legal protocols.
Creating the paperwork and documents is the key duty of all strategic sourcing consultants. These materials reflect the interests of the businesses in the market and are based on company policy. The consultant will discuss the risks while reviewing the contracts with the stakeholders. also, he/she will draught the contract with suggested terms and conditions.
Role of subject matter expert
Strategic sourcing consultants are also subject-matter experts. They make an estimate of the issues with completed specifications, supplier requests, and procurement contracts. Moreover, they will provide solutions to all problems so that the group can accomplish its goals without too much difficulty.
Bridge between vendors, suppliers, and customers
The strategic sourcing consultant initially serves as the first point of contact for both suppliers and clients. In other words, if the suppliers run into any problems with import paperwork or product manufacturing, they will inform the sourcing consultant. He/she will respond to queries from the sourcing unit or customs officers and provide answers to queries about executed contracts.
Added Value of Strategic Sourcing Consultant
Save Money
They will assist you in handling your procurement processes using strategic sourcing. They’ll assist you in estimating suppliers so you can find the most economical price bid. This indicates that the buyer is seeking services of the highest calibre at the lowest cost.
Less Risk
Businesses are advised to commence quality, supply, finance, and client support risk assessments as part of strategic sourcing. With their assistance, you can lessen your chances of running into obstacles as you move through the procurement process.
Maintaining Customer Delivery
Costs associated with transportation and delivery are another area where businesses may have additional issues while importing. Freight transit is costly and takes longer than expected. It might also result in new issues like submitting defective orders, the arrival of partial orders, etc. A professional sourcing consultant should be in charge of delivering the products to the final customer and be accountable for their flawless condition.
Strategic Sourcing Consultants deliver a range of solutions for the procurement process. They ensure that each process is commenced successfully without any problems/. Thus, the help of a sourcing consultant is important if you want to develop a cost-saving strategy.