The traditional purchaser would focus on price, cost, quality and performance. However, as far as South Africa Inc. is concerned, there is a very strong requirement to include Supplier Development, Malcolm Farrell, Director of the Supply Chain Network, tells SmartProcurement.
Procurement professionals in the South African economy have a huge responsibility on their hands. Why?
Because they are the ones who are required to channel billions of Rands in expenditure towards the SMMEs to help Government boost the sector.
The DTI Codes of Good Practice, the various Industry Charters, the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act, and, more recently, the Local Procurement Accord, each require, in one way or another, the growth of the small business sector as a means to stimulate economic and employment growth.
However, there are many challenges facing procurement professionals to succeed, beginning with – “Where will we find all these suppliers that will help us meet our requirements?”
Similarly, SMMEs are frustrated as they struggle to gain access to the approved vendor databases of the leading South African companies and state entities.
Industry is collaborating to solve the challenges of supplier discovery
Supply Chain Network hosts technology through which suppliers are able to create a comprehensive profile of who they are, what they do, where they are located, what their empowerment credentials are, and share trade references, amongst others.
Professional purchasers are able to use the technology quickly to search for, find, research, filter and discover potential new suppliers.
The buyer and the supplier have access to tools to connect the buyer and supplier.
To register visit www.scnet.co.za
