Case Study:

A global consumer-goods company faced mounting challenges in managing its supply chain and sourcing processes. Inefficiencies, lack of transparency, and inconsistent performance metrics hindered the company’s ability to meet market demands while maintaining cost-effectiveness and sustainability standards. To address these issues, the company embarked on an ambitious transformation programme aimed at driving due diligence across their supply chain performance and sourcing operations.

The transformation programme was designed with the following objectives:

1. Enhance Supply Chain Transparency: Provide end-to-end visibility into the supply chain to ensure ethical sourcing, compliance with regulations, and alignment with sustainability goals.

2. Optimize Sourcing Processes: Streamline sourcing operations to improve cost efficiency, supplier collaboration, and procurement performance.

3. Improve Performance Metrics: Establish consistent, actionable metrics to monitor and enhance supply chain efficiency and reliability.

4. Strengthen Risk Management: Identify and mitigate risks associated with suppliers and sourcing activities.

5. Adopt Advanced Technologies: Leverage existing Source-to-Pay systems, Coupa as the foundation.

To achieve these objectives, the programme followed a structured approach:

1. Diagnostic Assessment

The initiative began with a thorough diagnostic assessment of the company’s existing supply chain and sourcing processes. Key activities included:

• Conducting stakeholder interviews and workshops.

• Mapping the end-to-end supply chain to identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies.

• Analyzing supplier performance and compliance data.

2. Strategy Development

Based on the assessment, a comprehensive transformation roadmap was developed, focusing on:

• Implementation of a centralized supply chain management platform.

• Redesign of sourcing workflows for better alignment with business goals.

• Introduction of supplier scorecards and performance reviews.

3. Technology Integration

To enable digital transformation, the programme deployed:

• Leverage existing Source-to-Pay system Coupa for transparent tracking, and procurement process optimization using existing tools

• Cloud-based solutions for real-time collaboration with suppliers.

4. Change Management

Recognizing the importance of organizational alignment, the programme emphasized:

• Training employees and suppliers on new processes and technologies.

• Establishing a governance framework to oversee transformation efforts.

• Regular communication to ensure buy-in from all stakeholders.

5. Continuous Improvement

Post-implementation, the programme incorporated a feedback loop to:

• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs).

• Identify areas for further optimization.

• Adapt to evolving market and regulatory conditions.

The transformation programme delivered measurable improvements across multiple dimensions:

1. Increased Transparency: End-to-end supply chain visibility enabled the company to track products’ origins, ensuring compliance with ethical sourcing standards.

2. Improved Supplier Performance: Regular scorecards and performance reviews fostered stronger supplier relationships 

3. Reduced Risks: Enhanced risk management capabilities minimized disruptions and ensured continuity during global crises.

4. Sustainability Goals: The company met its sustainability targets ahead of schedule, including a 30% reduction in carbon footprint across the supply chain.

This case study underscores the value of a strategic, technology-driven approach to transforming supply chain and sourcing operations. By aligning processes with advanced tools and fostering a culture of continuous improvement, the consumer-goods company not only achieved its immediate goals but also positioned itself for long-term success in a competitive and dynamic market.