Purchasing Manager how-to

How to Reduce Single-Source Risk

One supplier can shut you down.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
Quick answer

One supplier can shut you down. In short: list; rate; find, then complete the remaining steps below.

Step by step

  1. List single-sourced items.

  2. Rate impact of failure.

  3. Find alternates.

  4. Qualify a second source.

  5. Split volume.

  6. Monitor risk.

Safety reminders for purchasing managers

  • Follow ethics and anti-bribery rules
  • Check supplier safety and compliance
  • Protect confidential bids
  • Follow public procurement law

Strategic sourcing · RFP · RFQ · Total cost of ownership · Spend analysis · Category management: see the full purchasing manager glossary.

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