suppliers
A supplier is an individual or organization that provides goods or services to another entity, enabling production, operations, or resale. Suppliers can be manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, or service providers, and they may supply raw materials, components, finished goods, or professional services.
In a supply chain, suppliers are the primary source of inputs. Their performance affects cost, quality, timeliness,
Common classifications include direct suppliers (those providing inputs used in production) and indirect suppliers (goods and
Supplier selection and evaluation involve criteria such as price, quality, capacity, delivery performance, certifications, financial stability,
The procurement process includes supplier identification, requests for information/proposals/quotations, negotiation, contracting, onboarding, and ongoing management. Purchases
Supplier relationship management focuses on collaboration, information sharing, and performance improvement. Key performance indicators include on-time
Risk and compliance considerations include supplier risk assessments, business continuity planning, ethical sourcing, labor and environmental
Emerging trends include digital procurement, supplier portals, automation, data analytics, and supply chain transparency. Effective supplier