Lean Supply Chain Management: A Handbook for Strategic Procurement

Rating:
Summary: Using the book
Review: After reading Lean Supply Chain Management, we began adopting the practices in our operations in the U.S. and in England. We immediately saw improvements that we expected would take months to achieve. Without a doubt, we will continue to implement the improvements Mr. Wincel writes about in his book.

Rating:
Summary: A Practical Guide to Collaborative Supply Chain Success!
Review: With a 'no holds barred' approach to a complex topic, Jeffrey 'tells it like it is' in his first book, Lean Supply Chain Management: A Handbook For Strategic Procurement. Based upon his career as a procurement executive, he shares his thoughts and strategies in this insightful book combining theory and practical tools in an easy-to-read format. The case study interspersed throughout the book provides the real world, 'tools-in-action' perspective.

With 60% to 70% of the cost of a company's manufactured product now residing within the value chain of suppliers (i.e., bought out), he champions the creation of a Chief Procurement Officer to underscore the vital contribution that purchasing makes to corporate profits.

His book's underlying theme is the collaborative approach to supply chain management - working with the suppliers to improve designs and processes, optimize costs and reduce lead times while surprising and delighting the customer. Encouraging companies to put away the big sticks when they deal with their suppliers, he provides solid advice for supply chain management in standard as well as crisis environments. He demonstrates how sound principles of lean theory and action can be coordinated with enlightened supply chain management practices to add value to bottom-line profits.

This book puts the strategic focus back into the purchasing function. I highly recommend this book.