Client:
A $1 billion, Outdoor Lifestyle Product Manufacturer
Challenge:
Following rapid expansion through M&A, this organization faced growing pressure to streamline and standardize supply chain operations across its brand portfolio. Procurement processes, supplier performance management, data governance, and supply chain analytics lacked consistency and clarity. The client needed to build cross-enterprise alignment, eliminate inefficiencies, and enable faster, data-driven decisions.
Without bandwidth internally, they turned to Waypost to add a dedicated resource with expertise in supply chain process improvement, procurement, analytics, and network optimization.
Strategic Objectives:
- Serve as interim Continuous Improvement Lead across the enterprise supply chain.
- Execute a prioritized roadmap of supply chain improvement initiatives spanning procurement, supplier management, finance, and digital transformation.
- Conduct gap analyses and facilitate implementation of identified improvements.
- Build frameworks and documentation to support sustainable process execution.
- Perform a Network Optimization analysis to evaluate logistics, inventory, and manufacturing alignment.
Approach:
Waypost placed an Advisor in the interim role for 15 months to lead supply chain improvement projects and serve as the Procure-to-Pay subject matter expert. The Advisor brought structure and momentum to scattered initiatives by combining technical process mapping with cross-functional collaboration.
Each sub-project began with discovery interviews, documentation of the as-is state, and the creation of clear current-state visuals. From there, a roadmap of process improvements was developed and socialized with key stakeholders. Implementation was collaborative, iterative, and results-focused—centered around enabling standardization, eliminating waste, and embedding best practices.
Waypost also developed foundational frameworks, including a Supplier Evaluation and Qualification process, a Cybersecurity Risk Assessment, and a Network Optimization Framework spanning logistics, inventory, and manufacturing flows.
Key Steps:
- Conducting stakeholder interviews and process mapping
- Documenting current state and future-state workflows
- Building standardized frameworks for procurement, supplier onboarding, and performance
- Facilitating Kaizen events and improvement workshops
- Developing tools and templates to support sustainable adoption
Assessment Areas:
- Procurement and P2P process gaps
- Supplier qualification and performance tracking
- Network design efficiency and constraints
- Data access and analytics support
- Change management readiness
Tools and Methodologies:
- Gap analysis and stakeholder discovery
- Current-to-future state process mapping
- Supply chain functional assessments
- Merger & Acquisition supply chain playbook
- Supplier Self-Assessments and Performance Frameworks
- Network Optimization modeling (logistics, inventory, manufacturing)
Deliverables:
- Roadmaps for individual supply chain improvement initiatives
- Supplier Management & Quality Assessment processes
- Purchase Parts Request and Supplier Corrective Action procedures
- Supply Chain Cybersecurity Risk Assessment guide
- Network Optimization analysis deliverables
- Organizational alignment and documentation for sustainment
Conclusion:
Over 15 months, Waypost enabled the client to execute critical supply chain projects that had previously stalled due to lack of ownership and bandwidth. The Advisor became a trusted partner—building alignment across decentralized teams, delivering documented improvements, and freeing internal leaders to focus on broader strategic initiatives.
“Waypost was instrumental in progressing us toward our strategic goals… We would not have progressed the way we did without Waypost.”— Supply Chain Continuous Improvement Manager
