ASAP!!

Journal 1

With the ever increasing numbers of world-class competitors, domestically and internationally, that are forcing organizations to improve their internal processes to stay competitive, purchasing and supply management has come to the forefront as much more than a supporting function. You begin with an overview of purchasing and supply management.

Read the following chapters in your book.

· Chapter 1: “Introduction to Purchasing and Supply Chain Management”

· Chapter 2: “The Purchasing Process”

Chapter 1 provides an introduction to the topic of purchasing and supply management, including a historical overview of the field. Chapter 2 covers the major types of activities and responsibilities that supply managers follow in conducting their duties. Other topics included are: purchasing objectives, purchasing responsibilities, e-procurement and the procure-to-pay process, types of purchases, and purchasing process improvements.

Journal 2

Well-formulated policies and procedures support efficient, effective, and consistent purchasing operations. On the other hand, policies and procedures that are out of date, require unnecessary actions, or do not address current issues or topics will not support effective purchasing operations. Another point of emphasis needs to be integration with various groups to improve efficiencies.

Read the following chapters in your book.

· Chapter 3: “Purchasing Policy and Procedures”

· Chapter 4: “Supply Management Integration for Competitive Advantage”

Chapter 3 focuses on purchasing policies and mechanisms and the impact they have on effectiveness.

Chapter 4 discusses the need for supply management to develop closer relations with internal and external groups. To accomplish this, supply management professionals must develop a working knowledge of the principles of engineering, manufacturing, cost-based accounting, quality assurance, and team dynamics.

Journal 3

Careful attention to assessing and selecting the structure and formal systems of communication, division of labor, coordination, control, authority, and responsibility will make the attainment of supply management objectives more likely.

Read the following chapters in your book.

· Chapter 5: “Purchasing and Supply Management Organization”

· Chapter 6: “Category Strategy Development”

Chapter 5 is all about having a properly designed organizational structure along with the right people, systems, and performance measures in place is critical to purchasing success.

Chapter 6 focuses on category management, which is perhaps one of the most important ways that supply managers create value for their stakeholders. Effective category strategies also create the foundation for cost management, contract frameworks, and ongoing supplier performance management metrics and relationships.