Order Guides Can Help You Align Procurement Across Locations

Large-scale operations face significant challenges when it comes to procurement strategies. Whether you operate hospitals, hotels, or restaurants, if your properties are all making procurement decisions independently, you may be leaving money on the table. Order guides can help national brands save money on procurement while strengthening brand standards. It all starts with a top-down approach.

The Cost of Fragmented Procurement

Many factors play into a successful procurement strategy, including supplier options, distribution partners, and specific SKUs. Individual locations might not be staffed to take on the labor of identifying the best programs. That can lead to over- and under-ordering, relying on standing orders that are no longer optimal, and missing opportunities for better savings on programs.

Creating a strong procurement strategy is easier if you take a top-down approach, detailing key programs on a national level then implementing them through order guides. That way, your locations can save time on difficult procurement decisions while still buying from the most competitive programs.

Encourage Consistency Across Your Brand

The products you source can have a big impact on how consumers see your brand. Aligning procurement strategies through nationally established order guides can ensure that your properties are providing the same high-quality experiences across the board.

Nationally aligned procurement can strengthen brand standards through:

• Consistent facility maintenance services
• Matching uniforms and facility décor
• Standardized menu options at eateries

Guests will know what to expect when they visit one of your locations, giving your brand more pull with consumers.

How to Implement Order Guides That Work

Once you’ve decided on the top-down approach for procurement, you’ll need tools to ensure your locations are signing onto the right programs. This is where effective order guides come into play.

There are two key strategies to creating order guides that your locations will use. The first is to engage location leadership in the process. Early on, you can ask what their needs and preferences are, to make sure you identify programs for the products and services they use most.

The second is to find a technology solution that will support your order guide project. A platform that allows for quick and comprehensive updates to order guides makes it easy to drive purchasing to the right programs. Plus, it makes ordering more convenient and efficient for your locations.

Take the First Step

Many Foodbuy Members use MyOrders as their order guide management system. Supported by a team of supply chain experts, MyOrders is your resource for driving optimized procurement. Our purchasing experts will work with you to identify your menuing needs and nutritional requirements, as well as your non-food needs. Then, we’ll manage the transition to minimize disruptions.

Interested in MyOrders? Reach out to your Foodbuy account manager today.