SUPPLY CHAIN: Redefining the sourcing strategy in a post-pandemic world

The uncertainty that COVID-19 brought with it has impacted the world economy, dragging with it the largest generators of wealth that are made up of the conglomerate of companies from all sectors. On the one hand, they had been leading the markets in their different segments. They have suffered a considerable decrease in their profits. While on the other hand, medium and small companies that are struggling to survive have had to innovate disruptively in order to offer solutions that allow products to be transferred to the consumer through a service platform. This focuses on providing confidence and tranquility to a population sheltered by uncertainty to the unknown product of:

● Long and fluctuating quarantine periods

● Partial and / or temporary closure of cities and countries

● Air traffic limitation

● Port closure

● Social distancing

● Anguish in the population

● Forced change in consumption patterns

However, the organizations that have understood the current dynamics and the variables that affect the direction of logistics operations are those that have been able to face the challenges caused by the pandemic with great success. Receiving in the same way the least possible negative impact, both financially and in terms of positioning within the market.

Among the that must be implemented to counteract the winds in this era of Covid-19 we can highlight:

● Cultural change - Top-down and bottom-up approach.

● Set the guidelines and trace the path that allows the redesign of the entire logistics strategy.

● Implementation of innovative strategies that arise in response to changes in the population's consumption patterns, the discretionary power to determine the ways to receive goods and services, the value willing to pay for them, as well as the portfolio of services offered.

● Have the entire portfolio of products and services ever closer to the consumer.

● Make adjustments in distribution centers.

● Redesign of logistics processes - Intelligent engineering.

● Reduction of waiting times.

● Minimization of cycle times.

● Headcount cost reduction.

● Guarantee of efficiency and productivity through 6 Sigma processes that minimize variations and allow service levels ever closer to “perfection” to be reached.

● Detailed attention to the Customer Voice.

● Discovery of a world of possibilities for those willing to lead transformation projects, capable of promoting the changes that the post-pandemic world requires, embracing technological innovations that will lay the foundations for companies to remain and grow in their different markets.

How flexible and agile are we to positively manage the chaos of the pandemic and the news that we face daily after the 180-degree turn that the world has taken?