Supply Chain procurement : Sourcing and Purchasing

Supply chain purchasing and sourcing are both crucial components of the procurement process, but they have distinct roles and functions:

•  Supply Chain Sourcing: Sourcing, on the other hand, is the strategic process of identifying and selecting the most appropriate suppliers for a company's procurement needs. It involves evaluating potential suppliers, analyzing their capabilities, assessing their quality standards, and negotiating contracts. Sourcing aims to identify reliable and cost-effective suppliers that can meet the organization's requirements in terms of quality, quantity, price, and other criteria. It focuses on building and managing supplier relationships to ensure a reliable supply chain. 
  
  
• Supply Chain Purchasing: Supply chain purchasing refers to the actual act of buying goods or services from suppliers. It involves issuing purchase orders, negotiating prices and terms, coordinating deliveries, and managing the financial aspects of the procurement process, such as invoicing and payments. Purchasing focuses on executing the procurement activities and ensuring the timely and cost-effective delivery of materials to meet the organization's needs. 

Supply chain purchasing is the operational aspect of buying goods or services, while sourcing is the strategic process of identifying and selecting the right suppliers. Both functions are essential for effective procurement management and ensuring a smooth and efficient supply chain.

Supply chain sourcing 

It refers to the process of identifying and selecting suppliers for the various components or raw materials needed to manufacture a product or deliver a service. It involves determining the best sources of supply, evaluating potential suppliers, negotiating contracts, and managing relationships with suppliers to ensure a reliable and cost-effective supply chain.

The sourcing process typically involves the following steps:

1. Supplier Identification: This involves identifying potential suppliers who can meet the company's requirements for quality, cost, delivery, and other criteria. This may involve conducting market research, attending trade shows, or leveraging industry contacts.

2. Supplier Evaluation: Once potential suppliers have been identified, they are evaluated based on various factors such as their capabilities, financial stability, quality standards, production capacity, and ability to meet delivery schedules. This may involve site visits, quality audits, and reference checks.

3. Negotiation: After evaluating suppliers, the next step is to negotiate terms and conditions, including price, quantity discounts, payment terms, delivery schedules, and quality requirements. The goal is to secure the best possible terms while ensuring a mutually beneficial relationship with the supplier.

4. Contracting: Once negotiations are complete, a formal contract is developed outlining the terms and conditions agreed upon by both parties. The contract may include provisions for quality control, dispute resolution, intellectual property protection, and other relevant clauses.

5. Supplier Relationship Management: Managing supplier relationships is an ongoing process that involves monitoring supplier performance, resolving issues or conflicts, and fostering collaboration and continuous improvement. This may involve regular performance reviews, communication channels, and joint problem-solving initiatives.

Effective supply chain sourcing is essential for ensuring a reliable and efficient supply chain that meets the company's requirements for quality, cost, and delivery. It requires careful supplier selection, effective negotiation skills, and proactive supplier relationship management.

Supply chain purchasing 

It is the process of acquiring goods or services from suppliers to meet the needs of an organization. It involves various activities such as:

1. Identifying requirements: Determining the goods or services needed by the organization based on demand, production plans, or customer orders.

2. Supplier selection: Researching and evaluating potential suppliers based on criteria such as reliability, quality, cost, delivery time, and compliance.

3. Request for Quotation (RFQ): Sending RFQs to selected suppliers to obtain price quotes and other relevant information.

4. Negotiation: Negotiating with suppliers to secure the best possible prices, terms, and conditions.

5. Purchase order issuance: Creating and issuing purchase orders to selected suppliers, specifying the quantity, price, delivery date, and other relevant details.

6. Order tracking and expediting: Monitoring the progress of purchase orders, ensuring timely delivery, and resolving any issues or delays.

7. Receipt and inspection: Receiving the goods or services from suppliers, inspecting them for quality and accuracy, and resolving any discrepancies.

8. Invoicing and payments: Verifying supplier invoices, reconciling them with purchase orders and receipts, and processing payments.

9. Supplier performance evaluation: Assessing the performance of suppliers based on factors such as on-time delivery, quality, responsiveness, and overall satisfaction.

10. Continuous improvement: Identifying areas for improvement in the purchasing process, supplier relationships, and overall supply chain performance.

Effective supply chain purchasing helps organizations optimize costs, streamline operations, ensure reliable supply, and maintain quality standards. It requires collaboration with internal stakeholders, such as production, logistics, and finance departments, as well as effective communication and relationship management with suppliers.