“ ONCE WE ’ VE GOT THE DATA , HOW DO WE MAKE DIFFERENT DECISIONS ? HOW DO WE LOOK AT OUR SUPPLIER RESILIENCE AND EITHER HELP THEM TO CHANGE THE WAY THEY OPERATE OR SWITCH TO ALTERNATIVE SUPPLY SOURCES ?”
MARKS & SPENCER
“ ONCE WE ’ VE GOT THE DATA , HOW DO WE MAKE DIFFERENT DECISIONS ? HOW DO WE LOOK AT OUR SUPPLIER RESILIENCE AND EITHER HELP THEM TO CHANGE THE WAY THEY OPERATE OR SWITCH TO ALTERNATIVE SUPPLY SOURCES ?”
ANDREW NEWNHAM DIRECTOR OF GROUP PROCUREMENT AT MARKS & SPENCER
Throughout its decades of supply chain and procurement operations , Marks & Spencer has focused on building an inclusive , tightly-knit culture . As a result , when the UK lockdown started , many thirdparty suppliers stepped up to help M & S through its most difficult months . Said Newnham : “ They were part of the solution .”
From here on out , the company intends to find not just tier-one partners but the right partners . “ Sometimes the tier-two vendors are more flexible ”, Newnham said . “ It ’ s important that our suppliers share our values and are prepared to buy into our values .” How important is this cultural fit at Marks & Spencer ? “ Almost a defining thing ”, Newnham said . “ We ’ re a brand with a lot of heritage and a lot of legacy . Culture — and how we look after our people — is important .”
But successful partnerships take two to tango — and Marks & Spencer is determined to hold up its end of the bargain . Moving forward , the company aims to strengthen its supplier relationships by lending its expertise . “ This isn ’ t just the right thing to do ”, Newnham said . “ We ’ re going to try to change things .” He pointed out that now , ESG supply chain measures affect how consumers buy and shop . “ Our customers are diverse ”, he said . “ Our customers want
122 July 2021