International Sourcing and Buying Office

In a context of massive internationalization, securing your supplies and selecting the best suppliers is a major challenge for creating added value for your company. Sourcing not only makes it possible to find the right suppliers for your needs, but also to turn them into long-term partners who will guarantee your success in your market, while saving you money on your purchasing costs.

Supplier sourcing consists of researching, identifying, auditing, evaluating, comparing and selecting the potential supplier partner(s) most closely matching your specifications. The aim is to select the supplier(s) offering the best guarantees for your company (quality, price, lead times, durability).

The advantages of global sourcing

Sourcing can be domestic or international. Searching for suppliers on the global market enables you to evaluate a wider range of products, services and manufacturers.

The benefits of local sourcing services

The constraints associated with international sourcing, such as quality control of goods, communication with suppliers or shipping times, are easily overcome by using a local company specialized in sourcing, or by using a purchasing office.

Cost savings

Comparing the prices and conditions of several suppliers can result in significant savings for your company.

Increased margins

Reduce costs while maintaining identical sales prices, thus increasing your sales margins and boosting your profits tenfold.

Product and service quality

The quality control stage enables you to rigorously evaluate suppliers to ensure they meet your company’s quality standards.

Diversification of supply sources

Diversifying sources of supply minimizes the risk of dependence on a single supplier. Diversification can be geographical or at product/component level.

Innovation and competitiveness

Sourcing can give you access to new technologies, new ideas and new products that enhance your competitiveness in the marketplace.

Successfully establishing a subsidiary or setting up a business requires strategic planning and in-depth knowledge of the target market. Here are some key steps to successful expansion :

1. Define sourcing needs

Identify the products or services your company needs and define selection criteria.

2. Check industrial availability

Ensure that the product/service you are looking for is available in your target country(ies).

3. Sourcing suppliers

Identify potential suppliers using online resources, databases, trade shows and business networks.

4. Supplier evaluation (RFI-RFQ management)

Evaluate suppliers according to their quality, technicality, reputation, capabilities, references, financial stability and compatibility with your company.

5. Negotiation and contractualization

Negotiate purchasing conditions with selected suppliers and conclude contracts to formalize supply relationships.

6. Supplier measurement and monitoring

An essential step in controlling product quality and monitoring process efficiency.

The purchasing office is a team dedicated to researching, identifying, auditing, evaluating, comparing and selecting potential suppliers/products that best meet customer specifications. 

The sourcing manager: a key player in the procurement process

The Sourcing Manager is responsible for sourcing suppliers, managing the purchasing process, negotiating and signing contracts, and managing relations between suppliers and customers.

Diversity of purchasing offices: adapting to customer needs

There are different types of purchasing office, depending on the nature of their services and customers. Some specialize in a specific sector or product, such as textiles, furniture or handicrafts. Others may offer a wider range of services to meet the needs of different customers, including procurement, quality control and logistics management.

Ownership and management of purchasing offices: a crucial distinction

There are two main types of purchasing office, depending on their ownership structure. 

1. The private purchasing office, which is managed and owned by a private entity.
2. A public purchasing office, generally created and managed by the government to facilitate trade and support local industries.

Sourcing and the purchasing office: working together for supply chain efficiency

The purchasing office and sourcing are closely linked in supply and supplier management, and work in tandem to ensure an efficient supply chain. For example, the sourcing process begins with the identification of the company’s supply needs, particularly in terms of products or services. The purchasing office participates in this stage by working with other departments to understand their requirements. Together, they define the criteria for selecting suppliers, such as quality, price, delivery times, etc.

Sourcing suppliers

With its knowledge of the local market, the purchasing office identifies the best suppliers for the buyer’s needs and helps mitigate supply chain risks, or avoid the risk of ghost companies (Ghost companies), which disappear once payment has been made by the customer.

Negotiation

Having identified potential suppliers, the team can negotiate on behalf of the buyer to obtain favorable prices and conditions. Thanks to its knowledge of the market, the team can negotiate with local suppliers to reduce costs and improve profitability.

Quality control

The purchasing office ensures that the supplier produces goods that meet the buyer’s specifications and quality standards. Through factory inspections, product testing and quality audits, the team ensures that the supplier meets quality requirements.

Logistics and shipping

The team coordinates activities with freight forwarders, customs brokers and other logistics service providers to ensure that goods are delivered on time and to the right place. The purchasing office also handles shipping documentation and compliance issues.

Relationship management

The purchasing office works with the supplier to resolve any problems, such as quality defects, late deliveries or disputes. By building strong relationships with suppliers, the team can also negotiate better long-term prices and terms.