A recent report featured in Knowledge argues that supply chain managers are being increasingly appreciated not just for their logistical abilities but their ability to save a business money, it has been claimed by one healthcare supply chain analyst.
Eugene Schneller, professor of health care supply chain management at the W. P. Carey School of Business in the USA, said in a Knowledge article: "For a long time [supply chain managers] were seen as a transactional function down in the basement where you just make sure everything is there on Monday morning."
Supply chains have been steadily brought out in to the front of a company, however, as a result of the need for businesses to prove their green credentials, and now that cutting costs is high on business' priorities the supply chain manager is becoming increasingly visible.
However, as supply chain management moves quickly from logistics management to a balance of cost-cutting and logistics, while simultaneously focussing on developing green methods of transportation, a third-party supply chain management company may be a worthwhile investment.
Contracting a third-party supply chain management company could ensure a business has the most experienced members of staff working on a supply chain at any time, to ensure they are best-prepared to take on the ongoing recession this year.
Best Practice:
Is your supply chain following best practice? Check it out here.
