Tom McLaughlin

I specialize in developing strategies to get critical material where it must go before it is actually needed.

Not always a simple proposition when you are dealing with a contract manufacturer or OEM supplier with several layers of bill of material complexity, and all the sub suppliers that go with it. You quickly find that the turnkey solution you wish to purchase is anything but “set it and forget it”.

I find my passion in helping an organization concentrate on the things it does best to get a product developed, launched or redesigned, and be confident that the supply plan is in lock-step with what they want to do.

My career started in manufacturing, planning and scheduling builds to balance production. It quickly became obvious the types of issues that could quickly throw plans into disarray. Material Constraints and Quality spills stop them every time. I learned to understand them prior to committing a schedule.

When I entered purchasing, I had to have empathy for manufacturing and understand that poor delivery on my material would delay production. Suppliers needed to give commitments of delivery not promises of shipment. Working with the supply base to understand their issues and communicate them, made it easier to build on time and deliver to customers.

The supplier relationship became critically important as I moved in positions to support new production operations in China. The supply base was shifting overseas also. Regional sourcing was a challenge to find able partners who would grow with increasing demand and still provide lower cost. Once proven and developed they would provide dividends in the future.

Moving into new product development support more contract assembly partners were sought to allow product operations to shift the cost of assembly. Contracting out the assembly does not absolve materials of ownership of delivery. Material plans must be managed with even the largest assembly partner. Supply issues still remained and I spent a great deal of time dealing with my “supplier’s supplier” so it wouldn’t delay shipment and knock product development off schedule.

I enjoy developing material plans that work, and I take pride in providing product launches and production ramp-ups with a supply and suppliers they can count on.