A roadmap to supplier excellence

Abstract

This thesis examines how an SME company in manufacturing can improve their supplier development functions to match the increased requirements. First, a current-state analysis is done by mapping the functions and tools used by the company. In the second step a goal-state is defined: supplier excellence. In order to understand what the goal is and why it is important, a qualitative study is done by mapping the needs of both internal and external stakeholders. A literature study and benchmarking of best practices are done to find the most suitable process framework matching the case company's current and projected scale of operations. The third step is a gap-analysis between the current-state and goal-state to reveal where the development needs are. The fourth step aims to answer the question of how the case company can fill the gaps and rise to the desired level. This is done by using literature to find suitable solutions to achieve the needed features or functions of the supplier management process. The result of this work in a roadmap to supplier excellence that can be used for the case company but also similar companies in the same development phase.