Introduction
Suppliers play a critical role in cost, quality, service, and business continuity. When supplier management is handled poorly, organizations face delays, quality issues, cost overruns, and supply risk. Managing suppliers well is not about control alone, it is about partnership, performance, and accountability. This program focuses on how to manage suppliers strategically, not just operationally. Participants learn how to select the right suppliers, manage performance, reduce risk, and build long-term value through clear processes and professional relationships.
Course Outline
- Module 1
- Module 2
- Module 3
- Module 4
- Module 5
- Course Objectives
- Target Audience
Supplier Value
- Why suppliers matter to the business.
- Different types of suppliers.
- Cost, quality, and service impact.
- Risks of poor supplier management.
- Moving from buying to managing.
- Setting clear supplier expectations.
Selecting and Onboarding the Right Suppliers
- Supplier selection basics.
- Evaluating capability and reliability.
- Commercial and risk considerations.
- Contract basics and expectations.
- Onboarding suppliers effectively.
- Avoiding common selection mistakes.
Managing Supplier Performance
- Supplier performance measures.
- Service levels, quality, and delivery.
- Monitoring and reviewing performance.
- Handling underperformance.
- Continuous improvement with suppliers.
- Keeping relationships professional.
Managing Supplier Risks & Issues
- Identifying supplier risks.
- Dependency and concentration risks.
- Financial, operational, and compliance risks.
- Managing disputes and problems.
- Contingency and backup planning.
- Responding to supply disruptions.
Building Long-Term Supplier Partnerships
- Strategic vs tactical supplier relationships.
- Collaboration and value creation.
- Governance and communication routines.
- Ethics, transparency, and trust.
- Reviewing and renewing supplier strategies.
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Explore the role of supplier management in business performance.
- Identify strategic vs transactional suppliers.
- Improve supplier performance and accountability.
- Reduce supplier-related risks and disruptions.
- Build professional and effective supplier relationships.
- Support management with clear supplier strategies.
This course is ideal for:
- Procurement and sourcing managers.
- Supply chain management professionals.
- Contract management professionals.
- Operations and quality managers.
- Vendor and supplier relationship managers.
- Professionals involved in supplier oversight.
