Sourcing Agent

❖ Supplier Database and Management Tools: help sourcing agents search and manage supplier information, track supplier performance, and maintain a database of potential suppliers. 

• Thomasnet
• Alibaba
• SupplierGATEWAY
• Ariba
• TradeGecko
  

❖ Global Sourcing Platforms: connect sourcing agents with suppliers from around the world, providing a marketplace for sourcing products and materials. 

• Global Sources
• Alibaba
• Made-in-China
• IndiaMART
• Kompass
  

❖ Product Sourcing and Price Comparison Tools: assist sourcing agents in finding and comparing product prices and specifications across multiple suppliers. 

• Jungle Scout
• Sourcify
• Panjiva
• ImportGenius
• Spocket
  

❖ Supply Chain Management Systems: help sourcing agents manage the end-to-end supply chain, including inventory management, demand planning, and order fulfillment. 

• SAP Ariba
• Oracle Supply Chain Management
• Blue Yonder (formerly JDA Supply Chain Management)
• TradeGecko
• Zoho Inventory
  

❖ Quality Control and Inspection Tools: assist sourcing agents in ensuring product quality and conducting inspections at different stages of the sourcing process. 

• QIMA (formerly AsiaInspection)
• Intouch Quality
• Bureau Veritas
• Pro QC International
• China Inspection Service
  

❖ Shipping and Logistics Tools: help sourcing agents manage shipping and logistics, including freight forwarding, customs clearance, and tracking shipments. 

• Flexport
• Freightos
• ShipBob
• Shippo
• Easyship
  

❖ RFx Tools: RFx tools (Request for Proposal, Request for Quotation, Request for Information) help sourcing agents create, distribute, and manage RFx documents and supplier responses.

• Bonfire
• Prokuria
• Scout RFP
• Coupa
• Ariba
  

❖ Data Analytics and Reporting Tools: Analytics tools provide insights into sourcing and supply chain performance, enabling sourcing agents to make data-driven decisions. 

• Tableau
• Power BI
• SAP Analytics Cloud
• Spend Analytics
• SmartProcure
  

❖ Collaboration and Communication Tools: facilitate effective communication and collaboration among sourcing agents, suppliers, and internal teams. 

• Microsoft Teams
• Slack
• Asana
• Trello
• Basecamp
  

❖ Compliance and Ethical Sourcing Tools: help sourcing agents ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and ethical sourcing practices. 

• Sedex
• EcoVadis
• BSCI (Business Social Compliance Initiative)
• WRAP (Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production)
• Fairtrade International

• Research and identify potential suppliers and vendors for the company's products or materials
• Evaluate supplier proposals, negotiate prices, terms, and conditions of contracts, and finalize agreements with suppliers
• Monitor supplier performance, quality, and delivery schedules to ensure that they meet the company's standards and requirements
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders such as production teams, quality control, and logistics to ensure that materials are delivered on time and in the right quantity
• Identify and mitigate potential supply chain risks, such as supply shortages, quality issues, or shipment delays
• Maintain accurate records of supplier contracts, purchase orders, and other procurement-related documentation
• Continuously evaluate market trends and industry developments to identify new suppliers, products, or cost-saving opportunities
• Implement cost reduction initiatives and negotiate favorable terms and conditions with suppliers to reduce procurement costs
• Ensure compliance with company policies, procedures, and legal requirements related to procurement and supplier management