Experts Talk Supply Chain Solutions in Podcast

In the latest Optimas Toolbox Talks Podcast, industry experts discuss a number of supply chain solutions and how a business could incorporate them into their strategies.

For our third installment of the podcast, we were joined by three supply chain experts who shared their wealth of industry experience. Adam Cherry (Vice-President of Strategic Sourcing & Supply Chain, Optimas), Jeremy Clarke (Vice-President of Supply Chain & Procurement, Optimas) and Emma Gosling (UK Supply Chain Director, Optimas) as well as podcast host, Stuart Katz (Marketing Director, Optimas).

Adam Cherry

Vice-President of Strategic Sourcing & Supply Chain, Optimas

Jeremy Clarke

Vice-President of Supply Chain & Procurement, Optimas

Emma Gosling

UK Supply Chain Director, Optimas

Stuart Katz

Marketing Director, Optimas

You can grab a quick segment below of our supply chain solution podcast to get a feel for the discussion, or dive in and listen to the full podcast here.

How can I better enhance my bench strength versus other vetted providers when in times of higher demand and when my customary sources cannot deliver?

“So, I think the first step is really just planning ahead and ensuring that you know what your strategy is from a supply continuity and risk mitigation perspective. This, along with which parts and suppliers are critical from a production perspective,” said Cherry.

“If your answer is that all parts and suppliers are critical, then you probably haven’t gotten to the right level of detail to categorize or segment your portfolio.

“On top of this, ensure the high accuracy of drawings and BOMs (bill of materials) to help you improve the speed of your turnaround when faced with an increase in demand,” continued Cherry.

Continuing on the theme of reacting to demand and production shifts, is there a way for my company to obtain parts more reliably as required to match our production levels?

Clarke took to the mic saying: “Accurate BOMs are the first point to help drive the accuracy into those demand levels and they go through many iterations of change generally through their life cycle.”

Clarke continues: “It’s key to keep on top of these changes, as well as version indexes and making sure that you communicate those changes to your supply base. The more frequently you do that, the more accurate you can get.

“A forecast is only as good as it is at that point in time that it’s generated. Therefore, using all the tools around the BOMs and using all the updates to your vendor base that can support those forecasts are absolutely critical to ensure you maximize the chance of that demand and supply, matching and meeting that on time requirement,” said Clarke.

Throughout the discussion, strong communication was a vocal point throughout the solutions.

“There’s a common theme here about how important good communication internally and externally is, as well as really understanding your supply base and being proactive”

Emma Gosling, UK Supply Chain Director, Optimas

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“Jeremy and Adam, from your own personal perspective what pieces of advice do you think people should bear in mind?”

“I think for myself the biggest tip I would give is to never assume anything,” said Clarke. “Whether it is anything from walking into a vendor to get an agreement and assuming you’re going to walk out with what you want or getting an urgent shipment onto an aircraft. I would always say just follow up on every single step that you do within the supply chain activity because you just get that peace of mind. Then, you can then walk away knowing that it’s absolutely going to happen.”

Cherry added to that saying: “I think for me, what kind of jumps out throughout my career is just making sure that you’re balancing the day-to-day short-term actions that you’re trying to use to drive value within your supply chain and business, alongside the long-term tasks where you’re making sure robust decisions that lead to long term stability and health for the company and supply chain overall. It can be difficult for people to be able to take a step back and try to keep that balance, however it’s very important you have a focus on both.”

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To find out even more actionable insights, listen to it now on Spotify.

Furthermore, if you’d like to ask any questions to any of the members of the podcast, please contact us here to carry on with our discussion.

Plus, get in touch with us if you are interested in Optimas helping you minimize risk and provide you with supply chain solutions to help improve your profitability and efficiency.

At Optimas, we’ve built expertise in sourcing, manufacturing, and engineering design, so companies can find and trust the solution that works best for them.

You can also learn more out about how our supply chain solutions created real results for a leading global construction company.