Book Summary of Strategic Supply Management: Creating the Next Source of Competitive Advantage This book presents a roadmap and understanding of what it really means to practice strategic supply management. No longer a transactional activity, supply management is about creating and sustaining new sources of competitive advantage. Dr. Trent articulates how to create a supply management organization that you can count on to deliver reliable sources of supply and, eventually, competitive advantage. He purposely presents a holistic approach that focuses on breadth rather than depth so that readers can see how the different elements that comprise strategic supply management come together to create a hard-to-duplicate source of competitive advantage. Strategic Supply Management presents, in a concise manner, the need for supply leadership, the organizational enablers that must be in place, and the strategies and approaches that leading organizations pursue to achieve advantages in price and cost, quality, cycle time, technology, flexibility, and end customer responsiveness.
Key Feature • Explains the four critical enablers underlying strategic supply management • Presents information about specific concepts, processes, best practices, tools, and real company examples • Includes end-of-chapter questions to help facilitate discussion and learning
Table of Contents 1. Understanding Strategic Supply Management 2. Recognizing the Importance of Supply Leadership 3. Creating the Right Supply Organization 4. Measuring Across the Supply Network 5. Using Information Technology to Support Supply Objectives 6. Managing the Human Side of Supply Management 7. Matching Supply Strategies to Supply Needs 8. Contracting for the Longer Term 9. Outsourcing for Competitive Advantage 10. Building a World-Class Supply Base 11. Managing Supplier Performance and Relationships 12. Managing Costs Strategically 13. Involving Suppliers Early 14. Sourcing Globally 15. Creating New Value through Supply Alliances 16. Looking Toward the Future