A supply chain is the chain of suppliers that deliver goods and services to a final consumer. When you have three suppliers, you can see which is slow and which one is fast. This will allow you to determine which supplier to use more frequently and to negotiate a better price. In this way, your company will get the right products and services at the right time, and will always remain competitive. Similarly, you can see where a bottleneck may occur and how to avoid it.
The supply chain is an ecosystem that links all these entities, from the raw materials extraction to the final consumer's purchase. It involves every step of a company's production process, from product design to production, moving and storage to distribution and sales. With the right planning and communication, a supply chain can mitigate risks and strengthen relationships. For example, it helps companies understand their business ecosystem and what their customers and vendors expect. It also helps them understand their customers' expectations.
A supply chain chief should have both technical and strategic leadership skills. The most successful supply chain chiefs are good at both. However, they are rarely good strategic thinkers. Many companies choose to hire an outside source to become the supply chain chief, but it is important to understand that most companies will need to groom internal CSCOs. This way, they can develop the skills and experience that they need to be a successful CSCO. You will be able to distinguish yourself from the competition.
