Sponsor's Corner

December 2016

The 2016 calendar year is nearing an end. It was only a few months ago that we celebrated attaining our P200 goal and pondered if a new plateau, SC500, was achievable. The SC500 assessment is now complete and has validated the $500MM target. To achieve this goal, twenty or so opportunities have been identified, some of which we can drive within Procurement, and some that will involve other Supply Chain functions. These actions are based on industry best practices, AT Kearney’s recommendations and input from over 150 stakeholders.

The top recommended actions include:

• Integrating a Plan-Source-Delivery-Pay processes
• Establishing a dedicated role on campus for proactive customer engagement at the campuses
• Implementing a proactive, transparent,  integrated campus and systemwide Procurement “pipeline”
• Establishing “Category Councils” to provide user-level oversight
• Continuing planned technology investments with selected additions (i.e. pipeline, asset management)

The assessment also told us that readiness for this change varies by campus. While there is support for the recommendations, the challenge will be designing a detailed plan of how and when to implement the recommended actions.

The recommendations have been vetted by the PLC/PMB and I have met with each of the Advisory Group members to obtain their feedback and support. We are currently working with the executive sponsors to review and discuss the proposed roadmap and associated costs and obtain approval of next steps.

Effective and constant communication will be key as we move forward. Keeping in mind that change readiness varies between campuses, we plan to balance unique campus needs with systemwide objectives. We will work hard to maintain open lines of communication through 1:1 sessions, information sharing, and steady updates.

I look forward to seeing what the New Year brings for UC Procurement and beyond. In the meantime, rest and enjoy your holidays and we’ll greet 2017 with renewed energy.