Building Global Supply Chain teams at Dodo Brands: key principles

In my previous article, I briefly described the supply chain strategy and vision of Dodo Brands where emphasized the importance of a strong team.?

In this article, we will further explore the principles that guide us in building robust and high-performing supply chain teams

At Dodo Brands, we believe in a customer-centric approach, where we pay attention to the needs and requests of both internal and external stakeholders. Our supply chain professionals act as internal consultants, bringing value to colleagues and partners, and actively seeking feedback for continuous improvement. We work closely with R&D, marketing, QA, and franchisees to understand their requirements and incorporate them into our supply chain operations.

Proactivity is a one of the main pillar of our supply chain function. We strive to anticipate challenges and take action before they arise. By leveraging market signals and analytical reports, we make timely decisions, such as creating sufficient stocks to keep the purchase prices on competitive level or to eliminate the logistics risks

Transparency and openness are crucial to our supply chain management approach. We believe in real-time sharing of purchasing and logistics information, such as consumption, quality parameters, and delivery time, to promote transparency among our suppliers and partners. We also engage in open tenders and share best practices with other market participants. This fosters trust and collaboration in our supply chain operations.

Teamwork is a key aspect of our supply chain management approach. We encourage a collaborative and inclusive environment where supply chain specialists work together, openly sharing ideas and insights on process improvement. Regular team meetings and a culture of respect and support are vital for effective supply chain management. We believe that teamwork enhances communication, coordination, and decision-making, leading to better overall supply chain performance.

Empathy and consideration of cross-cultural differences are essential in our supply chain operations. We understand that different markets may require different approaches, and we adapt our negotiation strategies and change management approaches accordingly. We strive to understand cultural nuances and respect diversity, which enables us to build successful business relationships and partnerships in diverse markets.

Data-driven decision-making is a core principle of our supply chain management approach. We rely on relevant data and analytics to inform our decision-making processes. Data helps us identify trends, patterns, and opportunities for improvement, enabling us to make informed decisions and drive continuous improvement in our supply chain operations.

Upholding ethical principles is fundamental to our supply chain management approach. We are intolerant of violations of sustainable development norms and principles, such as child labor, corruption, and discrimination. We expect our suppliers and partners to adhere to ethical standards and promote responsible and sustainable supply chain practices. We believe that ethical behavior is crucial for building trust, maintaining brand reputation, and contributing to a better society.

We also recognize the complexity of supply chain operations and the interdependencies among various functions. We take a holistic approach to supply chain management, considering the broader implications of our decisions on other functions, potential additional investments, and the interests of all stakeholders. Coordination and collaboration across functions are vital to ensure seamless supply chain operations.

People often ask me: "How can you attract attention such talented people to Supply Chain of Dodo Brands?" It looks like that since 2019 we have built a strong brand of our Supply Chain among professional communities. At the same time, for many really cool professionals, it is really important to quickly implement great things without organizational difficulties, lengthy approval procedures from headquarters, and non-transparent rules. It seems that with the help of the Dodo culture, we managed to avoid these restrictions. At the same time, the company is growing rapidly and it is important for us to maintain our cultural identity and remain relevant to business challenges. I believe that the principles described in this article allow us to do this.