Be the Man in Watchtower; Sourcing function beyond firefighting

Often sourcing professionals feel like firefighters in the organization. They are called in to fight the latest fires at the last possible moment. While putting out fires is critical, there is far more to see out in the horizon that is not on fire. And sourcing professionals are in a unique position to view what is happening on the ground in all directions and across many business units at once. At the same time, we are able to see incoming threats and opportunities that others cannot see from their vantage point.

Sourcing is (almost) always in the loop

As successful businesses grow, they identify items needed to support the growth. When department demand increases, supply chain teams respond with increased capacity to support inventory needs and sourcing professionals are called in to execute the plans. Then if there is a decrease in demand, the sourcing organization works to mitigate the risks, work cancellations or reallocate incoming materials or equipment. Nothing happens that savvy sourcing professionals don’t eventually get involved in.

Sourcing has the insight across departments

Work centers may assume they are the only ones using this particular equipment or material... and maybe they are. But, sometimes they are not! Sourcing can attest to that. Connecting the dots for different departments is a value that a sourcing department is rarely asked to do, but highly capable of doing. Departments are not always aware of all the similarities that they share with other departments. They do not have visibility into other business units. Additionally, other areas are blind to the excess that is left in the wake of changing demands. They can't see similar departments undergoing growth spurts in un-synchronized patterns. But Sourcing can!

Connect the dots; Speak up

Sourcing professionals can look across many departments. We can spot what's already available and find duplicates. We can aggregate volume to achieve discounts for all. Whether or not you are asked to serve in this way, the power to affect a company’s bottom line by being matchmakers, problems solvers and internal deal makers exists in the sourcing department. Communicate the patterns you spot, alert departments of these opportunities; be the man in watchtower.