INTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE
introducing new technologies , such as a new ERP system , which will automate supply chain processes . Whilst the new system is at design stage , the IRC is currently utilising an interim system which enables the tracking of all procurement activity for the nine countries . Kung ’ u explains : “ I ’ m able to see the procurement tracking reports on a monthly basis . I know how much is spent on what categories , from which suppliers , and so we are able to come up with management strategies to determine whether we need to do global , regional sourcing or whether to do in-country sourcing .”
Local versus global sourcing Although the organisation typically sources locally , it has adopted a decentralised procurement function in order to respond to its growing business needs . By identifying high spend suppliers and high-risk categories , the IRC selects global suppliers who can procure products or services which may not be available from local suppliers when required . With nine countries in East- Africa , the organisation has over a hundred suppliers just within this area alone , of which $ 275 million is put aside for the IRC ’ s overall supply chain operations globally .
However , Kung ’ u adds , “ we wouldn ’ t be
34 July 2017