Maximise Your Business Potential with Effective Supply Chain Strategy Consulting
Our team has extensive experience in partnering with boards, c-level executives and supply chain leaders to model, design and develop optimal supply chain strategies - influencing asset profiles, structures and operating models that enhance customer value propositions, whilst balancing costs and capital.
Supply Chain Strategy at Trace Consultants: Driving Competitive Advantage Through Excellence
In today’s fast-paced and increasingly complex business environment, organisations need supply chain strategies that are not only efficient but also resilient and adaptable. At Trace Consultants, we are a highly specialised boutique supply chain consulting firm based in Australia, dedicated to helping organisations transform their supply chains into a source of competitive advantage.
Why Supply Chain Strategy Matters
A well-defined supply chain strategy ensures that organisations can meet customer demand efficiently, reduce costs, enhance operational agility, and mitigate risks. As global markets become more volatile, businesses must align their supply chain operations with corporate objectives to remain competitive.
At Trace Consultants, we work with Australian and New Zealand organisations across retail, manufacturing, FMCG, healthcare, government, and other industries, helping them design, optimise, and execute world-class supply chain strategies.
The demands on a supply chain evolve over time. What was a perfectly appropriate design for a business some years ago, may no longer be appropriate.
Supply chain requirements i.e. assets, infrastructure, coverage & capabilities – can change due to:
- Demand changes (e.g. growth or softening demand)
- Changing consumer expectations
- Resilience considerations (inc. sourcing changes, i.e. off-, re- and on-shoring)
- Transport & distribution changes (labour agreements, facility costs, etc.)
- M&A activity (consolidations, acquisitions, divestments, etc.)
- Product, channel or market changes (e.g. online fulfilment)
This is why it is important to review and update your supply chain strategy or create a strategy that can adapt and evolve as your business does. trace. provides a supply chain strategy consulting service that draws on years of experience from our expert team, to develop resilient supply chains.
Network Optimisation
Why Supply Chain & Procurement Strategy Matter
🔴 Rising Costs & Supply Chain Disruptions
Businesses must balance cost efficiency with resilience, ensuring that supply chains remain flexible and responsive to external shocks.
🔴 Sustainability & ESG Compliance
Organisations must align procurement and supply chain decisions with Scope 3 emissions targets, ethical sourcing, and regulatory requirements.
🔴 Digital Transformation & AI-Driven Decision-Making
Traditional supply chain models must integrate data, analytics, and automation to stay competitive.
🔴 Changing Customer Expectations
Faster delivery times, omnichannel fulfilment, and customisation are reshaping supply chain and procurement priorities.
By implementing a best-in-class supply chain and procurement strategy, organisations can:
✅ Reduce costs while improving service performance
✅ Enhance resilience to supply disruptions
✅ Align supply chain and procurement decisions with sustainability goals
✅ Leverage data and AI-driven insights for smarter decision-making
Our Supply Chain & Procurement Strategy Service Offerings
1. Supply Chain Network Design & Optimisation
An efficient supply chain network ensures that warehouses, suppliers, and logistics hubs are optimally placed to minimise costs while maximising service. We help businesses:
✔ Redesign their supply chain footprint for efficiency and agility
✔ Develop optimal warehouse and distribution centre strategies
✔ Balance nearshoring, offshoring, and multi-sourcing strategies
✔ Implement transport and freight optimisation to reduce costs
Key Focus Areas:
📦 Retail & FMCG: Optimising warehouse and last-mile delivery networks
🏭 Manufacturing: Designing lean, resilient production supply chains
🚚 Healthcare & Government: Ensuring critical supply chain continuity
2. Strategic Procurement & Category Management
Procurement must evolve from a cost-cutting function to a strategic enabler of value and risk mitigation. We assist organisations in:
✔ Developing long-term procurement strategies aligned with business goals
✔ Optimising category management to reduce costs and enhance supplier relationships
✔ Leveraging AI-powered procurement analytics for spend optimisation
✔ Balancing cost, risk, and sustainability in supplier selection
Strategic Procurement Focus Areas:
📉 Cost Reduction & Supplier Consolidation – Eliminating inefficiencies in the supply base
🔗 Supplier Risk Management & Diversification – Reducing dependency on high-risk suppliers
🌍 Sustainable Procurement & ESG Compliance – Aligning procurement strategy with Scope 3 goals
3. Demand Planning & Inventory Optimisation Strategy
Managing inventory effectively requires a data-driven approach to forecasting and demand planning. We help businesses:
✔ Implement AI-driven demand planning models
✔ Optimise inventory levels to balance cost and availability
✔ Enhance S&OP (Sales & Operations Planning) for better decision-making
✔ Improve supply chain visibility and real-time inventory tracking
Key Inventory Challenges We Solve:
📉 Reducing excess stock while maintaining service levels
📦 Aligning procurement and supply chain decisions with demand forecasts
📊 Using analytics and AI to improve forecast accuracy
4. Procurement Technology & Digital Transformation Strategy
Technology is revolutionising procurement, enabling real-time data-driven decision-making, automation, and supplier collaboration. We help organisations:
✔ Select and implement digital procurement platforms (e.g., ERP, e-procurement, AI-driven analytics)
✔ Leverage Microsoft Power Apps for procurement process automation
✔ Implement smart contract management systems for compliance and efficiency
✔ Enable real-time supplier performance tracking and benchmarking
Key Procurement Technology Solutions We Implement:
🖥 AI & Machine Learning for Procurement Analytics – Unlocking cost savings and risk insights
📊 Digital Twin Modelling for Procurement Scenarios – Testing supplier strategies before implementation
🔄 Automated Procure-to-Pay (P2P) Workflows – Reducing administrative overhead
5. Resilient & Sustainable Supply Chain Strategies
Sustainability and resilience are no longer separate initiatives—they are core to long-term supply chain success. We assist businesses in:
✔ Developing sustainable procurement strategies that align with ESG goals
✔ Designing supply chain risk management frameworks to mitigate disruptions
✔ Implementing circular supply chain models to reduce waste and emissions
✔ Strengthening supplier due diligence for modern slavery and ethical sourcing compliance
Key Resilience & Sustainability Focus Areas:
🌱 Scope 3 Emissions Reduction in Supply Chains – Minimising carbon footprint
🔗 Supplier Risk Monitoring & Multi-Sourcing Strategies – Improving supply continuity
♻ Circular Economy & Reverse Logistics – Reducing supply chain waste
Why Work With Trace Consultants?
1. Specialised Supply Chain & Procurement Expertise
We focus exclusively on supply chain and procurement strategy, ensuring that solutions are practical, commercially viable, and industry-specific.
2. Data-Driven & AI-Powered Strategy Development
We use AI-driven analytics, scenario modelling, and digital procurement tools to ensure fact-based, high-impact strategies.
3. End-to-End Strategy Execution, Not Just Advisory
Unlike traditional consultants who stop at strategy, we execute—working with organisations from business case development to implementation.
4. Proven Track Record in Cost Reduction & Resilience
We have successfully helped businesses achieve:
📉 10-30% cost savings through strategic procurement and supplier consolidation
📊 15-40% improvements in inventory efficiency through AI-driven demand planning
🌍 Significant Scope 3 emissions reductions through sustainable procurement strategies
Our Services.
Our supply chain strategy consulting services are only part of how we can help optimise your business and improve your supply chain. Our consultants specialise in a number of areas, including developing sustainable, carbon-conscious supply chains and assisting your business through a change management piece. We also offer consultancy services around planning and operations for a range of industries, assisting in developing warehousing and distribution operations and creating optimal organisational designs for different businesses. Workforce planning is another service that our consultants provide.