Sourcing & Procurement
Physical Goods sources suppliers and coordinates production against the requirements of the product, the budget and the operation that follows.
Scope of work
Suppliers, manufacturers and production.
- Supplier search & evaluation
- Translate the product requirement into a usable supplier brief. Search for suppliers and manufacturers with the relevant capability, compare their responses and clarify samples, minimum quantities, lead times and commercial terms. Evaluation concerns fit for the specific requirement; a supplier list alone is not an operating plan.
- Specifications & procurement
- Coordinate specifications, sampling, purchasing requirements and the information needed for an order. Make assumptions visible before procurement: materials, dimensions, finishes, quantities, packaging and agreed approvals. The company retains approval of the product and purchasing commitments; Physical Goods manages the procurement coordination within the authority agreed for the engagement.
- Production & packaging
- Coordinate manufacturer communication, production schedules and changes affecting the order. Keep samples and approvals connected to the specification being produced. Packaging decisions should consider the product, handling, storage and distribution requirements, so a production choice can work beyond the factory and through the intended physical operation.
- Landed cost & international freight
- Consider unit cost alongside packaging, quantities, freight and the other inputs that affect delivered cost. Coordinate international movement with freight resources and the appointed customs specialist. Estimates depend on the information available and the actual shipment; they should expose assumptions rather than promise a fixed landed cost without a basis.
- Existing supplier management
- A new supplier is not always required. Physical Goods can coordinate existing manufacturers, improve specification control, follow up on production, clarify responsibilities and connect supply to inventory requirements. When a supplier change is necessary, consider the operational consequences of sampling, production timing, commitments and the transition to replacement supply.
Specialist boundaries
Customs, tax, legal advice, product testing and regulated compliance require qualified specialists. Physical Goods can coordinate their inputs and the handoffs needed for the agreed scope, but does not substitute operating coordination for a licensed or accredited function. Product approvals, claims, regulatory obligations and purchasing authority must be assigned clearly. Specialist advice and necessary testing should inform the product requirement before a production commitment is made.
Working questions
- Does the work include finding a manufacturer?
- It can. Supplier search and manufacturer evaluation can be a focused engagement, or part of procurement and production coordination. The requirement, acceptable materials, quantities and timing determine what makes a manufacturer suitable.
- Can sourcing connect to fulfillment?
- Yes. Packaging, shipment timing and receiving requirements can be coordinated with Distribution & Fulfillment. Merchandise & Production applies product selection, decoration and recurring stock management to branded product and garment programs.