Handout Case

Susan Wilks

Executive Assistant

To: William VanDyke

From: Susan Wilks

Subject: Strategies to address non-compliance with procurement directive

Dear Mr. VanDyke,

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share my thoughts on how we can reverse the current situation of non-compliance by the materials managers.

I believe that we can use a short-term and long-term approach to effectively achieve the reporting standard expected of the materials managers to help us streamline procurement within Fletcher.

In the short-term, we need to design a procurement reporting template for the materials managers to use for reporting any negotiations for materials above $100,000.

I believe if we give the materials managers a 2-week reporting time instead of a 1-week deadline, they will be able to plan better and report on time.

In the long-term, we can draw a half-year schedule for visiting the various Fletcher plants to meet the materials managers. This will be a great opportunity for them to know you and your vision for procurement as well as get to know their challenges.

I believe that this tour of the various plants will help us draw on some success stories in the various locations. We can share the best practices in the company newsletter and name the materials managers who are making a difference to encourage their colleagues.

I know that materials managers communicate amongst themselves and as soon as you sell the first few managers on your vision, word will travel fast and convincing the rest will be easier.

These strategies will make the materials managers feel more a part of our procurement team. I believe that we can successfully achieve high reporting standard, low materials cost and still allow the materials managers to enjoy some level of autonomy.

Best regards,

Susan Wilks

Executive Assistant