Recent Posts
- Round and round we go…where we stop…………?
- Learn the culture
- Companies take steps to curb rising costs in China
- Costs in China increase
- China Doomsayers
- Manufacturing costs and taxes increase in China
- Asian storms damage transportation system
- New Year delays
- China’s growing pains
- China and Asia, land of Chance
Recent Comments
- Walter on Round and round we go…where we stop…………?
- Alan on Round and round we go…where we stop…………?
- wow gold on Asian storms damage transportation system
- Walter on Costs in China increase
- Loggie on Costs in China increase
Most Commented On
- Sourcing Notes from Asia…. China Focus (4)
- Costs in China increase (3)
- Asian storms damage transportation system (2)
- New Year delays (2)
- Round and round we go…where we stop…………? (2)
Archives
- June 2008
- May 2008
- April 2008
- March 2008
- February 2008
- January 2008
- December 2007
- November 2007
- October 2007
- September 2007
- July 2007
- June 2007
- May 2007
Blog
Ideas for a New/Old Purchasing Job in China
June 27, 2007
China is an interesting place to have a PO relationship. I was talking to a Purchasing VP at the recent ISM conference in Las Vegas, and he asked me for some ideas on an organization for an office in China. We discussed the usual Commodity Manager and other positions but then he mentioned his problems getting deliveries from his Chinese suppliers. This is not uncommon and can be actually prevalent in some industries. Though you have a valid PO, it is still a relationship issue, especially if the Supplier is adding new customers and reaching an unplanned capacity restraint. You may or may not get your delivery when you want it.
An interesting thought came to mind…. The old job years ago when I first started in purchasing…. that of the Expeditor… to follow orders as an assistant to buyers, to see if the delivery will be done as promised. Not a bad idea maybe for China. First it is a good way to bring in new English speaking graduates, teaching them purchasing basics, and the idea of supplier relationships and on-site inspection. A starting job here in China that can develop into other buying positions. They could coordinate the inspections and other needs of the PO. Extra labor cost… yes but here in China that is not that big an issue especially for the dearth of university students looking for work. Of course the supplier may keep promising delivery and still not deliver, but the Expeditor will get to know the suppliers and their habits, and can even do local visits to check on future deliveries.
Just a random thought on the organization side here in China.
Posted by Walter E. Buczynski on June 27, 2007 | Comments (0)