by Janice Marquardt | Nov 18, 2025 | Definitions, Org Chart, Processes
I once had a supervisor who was obsessed with what he called “the 4-box model” of procurement. His version graphed supply chain complexity/risk on the y-axis and supply chain cost on the x-axis, classifying suppliers into one of the four resulting quadrants. Low cost...
by Janice Marquardt | Nov 4, 2025 | Supply Chain Career
So you are (or have) a new supply chain leader. Congratulations, opportunity abounds! And so do pitfalls. Traps. Challenges. Whether you are part of a team with a new leader, managing a new leader, or you are the new leader, today’s post is for you. I have led new...
by Janice Marquardt | Sep 23, 2025 | Savings, Uncategorized
I like conferences. Even when I’m still recovering from a cold and wedging a conference in between personal and client trips, they’re a good chance to expand my network, learn what’s “hot” and what’s “not,” and step a little outside my standard routine. For many years...
by Janice Marquardt | Jul 29, 2025 | Creative Solutions, Processes
There comes a time in every supply chain team when a spend analysis is useful. It happens much sooner in the supply chain maturity model than most people realize, and it’s an incredibly useful thing. A spend analysis gives you a good view of your top suppliers, their...
by Janice Marquardt | Jul 22, 2025 | Contracts
After a hard-fought battle, you finally have contract terms and conditions with a supplier. Awesome! But now you want to use that same supplier for a different material or different scope of work, and the idea of renegotiating that contract again is daunting. It’s...
