Procurement and cost reduction
Stock you don't need, freight you're overpaying for and supplier terms nobody has looked at in years. I help SMEs and manufacturers cut those costs and put buying processes in place that keep them down.
Book a free intro callIf these sound familiar, there are almost certainly savings to be found.
"Our warehouse is full, but we still run out of the parts we need."
"We've got stock on the shelves that hasn't moved in a year."
"Freight costs keep going up and we just pay the invoices."
"We've used the same suppliers for years and never renegotiated."
"Purchasing depends on one person and their spreadsheet."
"Cash is tight even though sales are good."
In growing businesses, procurement usually happens rather than being managed. Orders are placed when someone notices stock is low, freight is booked with whoever was used last time, and supplier terms are whatever was agreed when the business was half the size.
I look at purchasing, stock, suppliers and logistics together, because a saving in one place often creates a cost in another. The goal is lower costs and more working capital without hurting the service your customers get.
A deep dive into stock holding, purchasing patterns and supplier terms to cut carrying costs and clear dead stock.
A review of logistics spend, carrier agreements and shipping patterns, looking for consolidation, route planning and renegotiation wins.
Supplier scorecards, lead time tracking and qualification, so you know who's performing and who isn't.
Reorder points, approval steps and purchase order processes that don't rely on one person's memory.
Supplier qualification, lead time control and quality assurance for businesses buying or manufacturing abroad.
A look at your supplier base and market to find alternative sources and risks you should plan for.
I've spent 20 years in manufacturing, supply chain and procurement for businesses ranging from family-run manufacturers to OEMs and contract electronics manufacturers. I've also carried sales targets and managed customer relationships.
That means I know which costs you can cut safely and which ones your customers will notice, and I can negotiate with suppliers knowing how they think.
"Nick has a deep understanding of the full sales-to-supply 360 view, which we found unique compared to other consultants. He engaged with our customers' pain points and worked on solutions that actually worked for them."
Clear pricing, agreed up front. If a price is agreed, it won't change.
A free, no-obligation 30-minute call. Tell me how you buy, stock and ship, and I'll tell you honestly where I think the savings are.
Book a free intro callBased in Wokingham, Berkshire. On-site across the South East, remote UK-wide.
Or call 07872 617 397 · nick@clearrouteconsulting.co.uk