Speaking at a CIPS/Fusion 21 event, Coulcher said a combination of Brexit uncertainty, changing business models due to technology and political tensions disrupting global trade had made the this one of the most complex times for organisations.

Here are his six tips on how procurement can help organisations prepare for Brexit:

1. Audit your supply chain from end to end

Dig deeper into your supply chain to find any hidden European suppliers. “One thing we believe we should be doing is not just auditing your supply chain, your tier ones, but where you’ve got strategic categories or strategic suppliers, perhaps taking a dip further into your supply chain, because although you might appear to be safe and sound with that direct relationship, you might actually find that some of that product or service is subcontracted out to a European-based organisation,” he said.

2. Reassure and communicate continuously

With supply chains in the spotlight, organisations will be looking to the function to lead. “I think part of our role is not to bury our heads in the sand. This trusted advisor role is all about going out into your organisation, listening to concerns, reassuring business that the supply chain is as safe and sound as it can be, where we are but not allowing panic and frustration to get in the way of what needs to be business as usual for the next year or two,” he said.

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