Ep 101: Maximizing the Value of Strong Supplier Partnerships feat. Juli Lassow

After all of the turbulence of the last few years, relationships between procurement and suppliers have reached a place of stability - at least for now. And yet, given their experiences, both groups are re-examining what they want to get from their most strategic partnerships and how to make that possible. 

In this episode of The Sourcing Hero podcast, Host Kelly Barner welcomes Juli Lassow. Juli has spent most of her career to this point focused on the partnerships between companies and their suppliers. She has deep experience in retail and with private label products and can walk the line between negotiating savings and building value-oriented relationships as needed.

In this conversation, Juli shares advice that applies to supplier relationships in all categories and industries:

• Her view of the current state of procurement <> supplier relationships
• Whether this is the time for procurement to rethink what supplier partnerships mean, and which suppliers to partner with
• How the existence of a deep partnership might alter procurement’s approach to contract (re)negotiation
• The benefits associated with remaining curious in conversations with supplier partners