Guideline "Strategic Supplier Management"

Professional supplier management has become more and more important in recent years. However, consistent implementation in the company often fails due to the lack of standardization of work processes. As a result, the suppliers are not optimally controlled, the necessary transparency is missing and significant cost potentials remain undiscovered.

The right selection of the future supplier and in particular the development from a simple supplier to a partner on an equal footing can uncover enormous potential for innovation and savings. In addition, strict supplier management can minimize the risk of failure and ensure high delivery quality. Well-established supplier management is also important in public procurement. The professional structuring of supplier management is therefore a decisive lever for the future viability of the company.

Against this background, the BME founded the BME specialist group “Supplier Management” in 2016. The central idea is the exchange of knowledge and experience among purchasing experts from all industries.

The present BME guideline "Strategic Supplier Management" is the result of the specialist group's work. It helps buyers with the selection of future suppliers and their development from a simple supplier to a partner on an equal footing. The BME publication thus supports readers in improving their supplier structures.

The guideline is structured as follows:

• General information on supplier management (including understanding of terms)
• Supplier management cycle
• Management systems in supplier management (risk and quality management)
• Sustainability in procurement