The year 2023 has arrived, and with it, a new era of supply chain management trends. Businesses must be ready to adapt to these changes to remain competitive in the global market.

As we continue to recover from the pandemic, the supply chain has become even more critical, and many organizations are investing time and resources in supply chain management to mitigate the disruptions of early 2022. 

Notably, a recent McKinsey report highlights that 67%⁽¹⁾ of respondents have adopted digital tools for end-to-end supply chain visibility. 

This article discusses some key supply chain management trends to watch for in 2023.

Digital Revolution of Supply Chains: The Future is Now

The shift toward digitization may be the most significant trend in supply chain management in 2023. As the world becomes more connected, companies will embrace digitization on a large scale to stay ahead of the competition.

Digitization of supply chains requires implementing the internet of things (IoT), cloud-based networks, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. These digital tools help businesses to track, monitor and analyze every aspect of the supply chain management process. 

By adopting these tools, companies can streamline their supply chains, develop new revenue streams, and tap into new markets.

Green is the New Gold: Prioritizing Sustainable Supply Chains

With the rising global emphasis on environmental sustainability, businesses will prioritize sustainable supply chains. Investors, including private equity firms and venture capitalists, are increasingly opting for sustainable organizations in their portfolios.  

Thus, companies will look to demonstrate a commitment to sustainability to gain a competitive edge in funding and attracting investors.

To achieve sustainable supply chain operations, businesses will adopt green logistics practices that are environment-friendly. This can include investing in energy-efficient technologies and utilizing sustainable packaging materials. 

Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) focused procurement decisions will also gain momentum for implementing sustainable supply chain management processes. 

Don’t Fall Behind: How Partnerships are Changing the Supply Chain Landscape

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to stay ahead of the competition by harnessing the power of supply chain integrations. The year 2023 is expected to witness a proliferation of supply chain components due to many companies pursuing cost reduction and enhanced customer service. 

As a result, companies that fail to integrate with third-party service providers risk falling behind.

In 2023, integration with third-party service providers will become common for reducing overall freight expenses and optimizing the supply chain. 

Moreover, companies will seek partnerships with other enterprises that leverage digital solutions to improve delivery estimation accuracy and minimize administrative work. This would further enhance the overall efficiency of supply chain management.

Future-proofing Your Supply Chain: Building Risk and Resilience

In today’s complex and unpredictable business environment, managing supply chain risks and building resilience has become a critical priority for companies. These risks can emerge in various forms, from natural disasters that disrupt the flow of goods to cyber-attacks that jeopardize sensitive data. 

To address these risks, companies will embrace an array of strategies including the following:

• Supplier diversification– Companies will adopt strategies to mitigate the risks of overreliance on a single supplier. Supplier diversification will become a key priority as companies seek to avoid the impact of supply chain disruptions.
• Localizing production and transportation– Businesses will seek to reduce the distance between the manufacturing plant and end customers and transport goods through local channels, such as short-haul trucking or rail transport.
• Forging non-traditional partnerships– Companies will seek to expand their network of partners to tap into new sources of innovation, secure access to specialized talent, and access new markets. 

A robust supply chain design will be adopted to enable quick recovery from adverse events, provide superior customer service, and increase the market share.

Big Data, Big Benefits: Leveraging Big Data and Analytics

Big data and advanced analytics will power the future of the global supply chain. The ability to collect and analyze vast amounts of data will provide greater visibility, synchronized planning and execution, data-driven decision-making, and profitability. 

By leveraging these technologies, companies can optimize their supply chains, improve delivery times, and enhance the overall customer experience by identifying patterns and trends. Implementing algorithms and robotics will further drive efficiency and productivity, making big data and analytics the cornerstone of future-proof supply chain operations.

Cybersecurity for the Win: Protecting Your Supply Chain from Modern Threats

As businesses continue to expand their digital footprint, the threat of cybercrime becomes more prevalent. The supply chain, in particular, is increasingly vulnerable to attacks from cybercriminals seeking to gain access to sensitive data.

To safeguard against these threats, companies are adopting a proactive approach to cybersecurity. This includes investing in anti-hacking systems, implementing firewalls, providing employee training, and building stronger relationships with supply chain partners. 

Through collaboration and coordinated efforts, businesses are protecting their assets and people from cyber threats, ensuring the resilience of their supply chains.

Reshaping the Map: The Rise of Domestic Self-Sufficiency

Geopolitical tensions have promoted domestic self-sufficiency in material supply and manufacturing. 

As nations grow more skeptical of cooperation and interdependence, governments seek to secure the supply chain. They’re exploring domestic production capabilities and ‘friend-shoring’ relationships with like-minded and geographically proximate countries. 

This approach provides a more secure supply of goods and mitigates the risk of material unavailability or supply chain disruption due to geopolitical tensions. Thus companies may have to restructure their supply chains in 2023.

Capitalizing on Supply Chain Management Trends 2023

The trends in supply change management in 2023 will transform how businesses operate. At Moglix, we are well-equipped to help companies to navigate these changes, capitalize on opportunities and stay ahead of the curve. 

We understand the challenges businesses may face as they seek to adapt to these changes in the supply chain landscape. Contact us to learn more about how we can help your business optimize its supply chain management strategy.

Additional Reading:

1. https://mck.co/3mGoXEE

Over the past few years, the procurement industry has experienced a significant transformation due to the widespread adoption of e-commerce and the advancement of the internet. As a result, nearly 68%⁽¹⁾ of B2B buyers now purchase goods online. 

More specifically, the procurement preference of B2B buyers has shifted towards dedicated solutions rather than relying on the procurement modules of traditional ERP systems. This shift is happening due to the unique advantages offered by dedicated e-procurement solutions, such as enhanced transparency, increased efficiency, and improved supplier relationships. 

This blog will delve deeper into the benefits of using e-procurement solutions.

Competitive Advantages of e-Procurement Solutions

E-Procurement solutions have become increasingly popular among businesses due to their significant competitive advantages over traditional ERP systems. While an ERP system integrates business processes and is generally built for finance departments, it lacks the specialized features required for effective procurement management. 

In contrast, an e-procurement solution is designed specifically to manage procurement functions.

So what are the competitive advantages of e-Procurement solutions?

1. Procure Smarter, Not Harder: Leverage Automation with e-Procurement Solutions

Procurement operations can be made more efficient and cost-effective with automation. Unlike ERP systems, which often involve manual processes, e-procurement solutions offer fully integrated and automated processes. 

By utilizing the benefits of automation, you can accelerate the procurement process, minimize errors, and streamline the entire digital procurement value chain. 

2. Unlock Flexibility with e-Procurement Solutions 

Traditional ERP tools can handle basic procurement, but for a broader range of procurement strategies, e-procurement solutions offer more adaptability. These solutions make managing complex proposals that involve multiple geographies, stakeholders, and suppliers easier. 

With an e-procurement solution, you can customize and tailor the tool to suit your specific procurement needs.

3. Maximize Cost Savings with Analytics

A recent study by Deloitte found that e-procurement can result in a 60% reduction in operational costs. 

4. One Stop Shop for Business Insights: Benefits of Data Consolidation

With the help of a procurement analytics tool in-built into an e-procurement solution, you can transform your organization’s spending practices by obtaining real-time tracking of costs. Better cost monitoring can help allocate resources toward more strategic initiatives.

An e-procurement solution can streamline your business by consolidating key areas such as purchases, sales, inventory, and finance. With all your business data in one place, you can quickly gain valuable insights and make informed decisions without sifting through multiple reports.

Unlike ERP tools, which lack comprehensive data presentation, e-procurement solutions offer a holistic view of your business operations.

5. Stronger Supplier Relationships 

An effective e-procurement system can lower transaction costs, decrease supply chain risks, and enhance supplier collaboration and transparency. With better supplier management, your organization can build stronger strategic partnerships while reducing overall risk.

Embrace the Future of Procurement with e-Procurement Solutions 

As a result of these advantages, a survey conducted by McKinsey⁽³⁾ found that CPOs believed that digital procurement could lead to a 40% increase in annual savings, 30-50% less time spent on sourcing, and a 50% reduction in value leakage.

Businesses can unlock numerous benefits by selecting dedicated procurement solutions that enable them to optimize procurement processes, make informed decisions, and build stronger strategic partnerships.

An ideal sourcing solution can help achieve better visibility over the supply chain, reduce procurement costs, and drive business growth. Learn more about Moglix to understand how our sourcing solutions can lead you into the future of B2B commerce and supply chain management.

Additional resources:

1. E-Procurement: Its Future in the Digital World

2. https://www2.deloitte.com/hu/en/events/esemenyek/2021/a-beszerzes-jovoje-2022.html

3. https://mck.co/404R9PX

Almost 68%¹ of CPOs state that supplier management will be their top priority going forward for achieving strategic business outcomes. This makes most sense, as effective supplier relationship management (SRM) enables businesses to get deeper insights into pricing trends, raise profitability, and improve their cost baselines—at times, by 5–10%²—by innovatively collaborating with their suppliers.

Yet, nearly 49%³ of procurement managers have failed at transforming their supplier relationships. So, how can you avoid their fate and gain greater visibility into your suppliers’ relationships to ensure long-term success?

The Problem With Supplier Relationships

Regrettably, supplier relationships are often marred by an over-emphasis on cost-cutting and a lack of trust. To add fuel to the fire, communication gaps and misalignment of goals worsen this relationship further. 

So to effectively deal with these challenges and ensure greater supply chain continuity, firms must focus on building strategic and value-based ties with their suppliers.

5 Strategies for Building a Resilient Supplier Management Framework

Strong supplier relationship management (SRM) entails a structured approach to evaluating diverse vendors and their strategic importance to the firm. Firms can configure successful supplier relationship management by adopting the following strategies:

Segment Your Suppliers Per Their Relative Importance

• Supplier segmentation, i.e., the practice of classifying suppliers into different categories based on their strategic importance to the firm is the most fundamental step of effective supplier management. 

• Generally, managers default to the Kraljic Matrix for undertaking supplier segmentation. It assesses suppliers on their profitability and risk, classifying dealers with a high-profit impact and higher risk as strategic and relegating others as transactional.

• Alternatively, you can also opt for the Pareto principle, which necessitates that 20% of suppliers must account for 80% of buyers’ spending. 

• Essentially, the goal is to direct your resources to the suppliers with the highest impact. 

Create A Supplier Management Framework 

• To foster solid collaborative relationships, firms must design a governance framework, which clearly defines the goals, objectives, and responsibilities of both the suppliers and the buyers. 

• Clear communication lines should also be established to ensure all parties are on the same page at all times.

• Moreover, you must develop detailed contracts that clearly outline your expectations about quality parameters, lead times, and payment terms. 

• Finally, you should have a risk management plan in place to help tide over unforeseen circumstances, such as supply chain obstructions (like COVID-19) or supplier failures.

Establish KPIs for Monitoring Supplier Performance

• The key to efficacious supplier performance management lies in establishing key performance indicators (KPIs), such as defect rates, order accuracy, cost savings, etc. 

• These KPIs can vary per segment and must be continuously monitored to remain cognizant of any supply chain risk (cue-Suez canal crisis). 

• You can, additionally, arrange periodic meetings at various executive levels to discuss strategy and goals, track performance, and clear roadblocks.

Be A Good Customer, Pay Your Suppliers on Time

• Supplier relationship management is not exclusively restricted to what suppliers can and should do for you. 

• It also entails buyers keeping their end of the bargain by making payments as per the agreed terms. 

• Firms must strive to pay on time unless constrained by exigencies—in which case, effectively communicating your limitations is the path to tread.

Leverage Technology for Better SRM

• Tech-driven solutions, like SRM software, aid supplier management by offering a comprehensive overview of suppliers and their risks. 

• They can further augment your supply chain and digitize procurement by automating daily operations, simplifying onboarding, and providing extensive inventory management visibility.

Unlock the Potential of Your Supplier Relationships with Moglix

Effective supplier relationship management is indispensable for firms looking to cut costs, improve bottom lines, and add value to their supplier relationships. And Moglix is the perfect go-to collaborator that can help you achieve this and more—as it has done already for an automotive OEM. 

Moglix’s supplier consolidation solution assisted the OEM in resolving the difficulties of a fragmented supplier base, bad credit terms, and working capital blockages, resulting in a colossal 2% cost savings! Download the case study to learn the finer details.

Additional resources:

1. https://mck.co/3FnivJr

2. https://procurementleaders.com/content/supplier-collaborations-success-research