Consulting Services: Best Practices in Contracting

2012-2013

Monthly Meeting Schedule

May 2013

Consulting Services: Best Practices in Contracting

Professional Development Event

Tue, May 21, 2013
5:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Holiday Inn & Suites - OP West
8787 Reeder Road
Overland Park, Kansas 66214

Fees for this event:

Members (1.0000 points): $25.00

Non-Members: $25.00

May Dinner Meeting: Tuesday, May 21st, from 5:30 to 8:00PM

Facilitator: Mary D. Lewis

Topic: Back by Popular Demand –

“Consulting Services: Best Practices in Contracting and Statements of Work”

Last year, executives of the Kansas City Procurement Round Table (KCPRT) requested a facilitated workshop focused on exchanging ideas for drafting effective SOWs for consultants. Because some of the KCPRT members missed the June, 2012 session, ISM-KC will host a shortened encore event, led by Mary D. Lewis, who facilitated the original workshop. Contracting for services presents many challenges and when those services involve consulting, the ability to craft an effective contract or SOW may make the difference between a successful project and an expensive failure, or worse – unforeseen legal claims. In our May ISM Dinner meeting, we will exchange best practices and ideas as well as some of the pain points we’ve experienced with the consulting services category. From those who know best – your peers – find out what has worked, what hasn’t, and how we can all plan for success.

Job Posting

New Job Opportunities Posted on ISM-KC Web Site, go to:

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Click on each job for details

Sourcing Specialist - Sigma-Aldrich, Lenexa, KS

Sourcing and Supplier Management activities regarding procurement of GMP raw materials (chemicals) and operating supplies for the Lenexa, Kansas Operations.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

Education

•Bachelor’s degree in Business Management or related field

•Minimum of 5 years sourcing/purchasing experience in a GMP manufacturing environment

•Ability to learn ERP sourcing/purchasing techniques

•Proven technical proficiency with word processing and spreadsheets

Essential and Critical Skills:

•Good analytical, business process analysis and problem solving capabilities

•Apparent negotiation skills

•Excellent communication, oral and written

•Project Management skills – useful

•Highly motivated and results-oriented

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

•Sourcing of GMP chemicals and other operating supplies to include; new source investigations, qualification processes and on-going Supplier Relations Management of existing suppliers.

•Prepare and execute purchase orders and releases for new component qualifications.

•Report in an actionable time frame to appropriate personnel any change in the supply chain that might disrupt the processing of a customer order or negatively impact production schedule execution.

•Provide on-going Supplier Management support which would include such activities as; structured business reviews, performance scorecards, incident investigations and strategy planning activities.

•Follows SAFC purchasing policy as defined in standard operating procedures and vendor manual.

•Provide sourcing support to all functional groups, support corporate supply chain management strategies, and serve on cross functional teams as required to support the development of strong business relationships with key suppliers.

•Utilize the corporate management information system to develop and maintain supplier information, quotes, lead times, and other records as required.

•Assure proper resource and asset management in a manner consistent with current good manufacturing practices and purchasing management ethics.

•Provide reports, information, analysis etc., as required, in a timely, professional manner.

•Support the Operations’ Functional Plan by developing, organizing, and implementing processes, procedures and practices.

•Assure proper accounts are charged for purchased materials, and work with accounting and end users to reconcile discrepancies.

•Perform other duties as assigned.

Sigma-Aldrich offers a highly motivational and rewarding working environment with attractive salary, benefits, retirement, relocation and incentive packages including tuition reimbursement. Sigma-Aldrich fosters the growth of employees in a culture of respect and dignity with ample opportunity for career advancement. For more information about Sigma-Aldrich, please visit its website at

Sigma-Aldrich is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Please apply via our website.

MID AMERICA MINORITY SUPPLIER DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

(MAMSDC)

DIVERSITY CORNER

MAMSDC can help you and your company take advantage of the products and services offered by diverse businesses.

Let MAMSDC help you to:

Develop a Diversity Program for your company
Locate diverse companies in the local area to meet your product and service needs
Locate diverse companies outside the area as well

In a time where most large companies only offer cookie cutter products and services, diverse businesses can offer custom solutions to meet your needs.

So get started, click here

Upcoming Events:

Register at States

Mid-America Leading Indicator Healthy for April:Inflationary Pressures Cool Again

YouTube interview with Professor Goss can be seen here.

April survey results at a glance:

Leading economic indicator points to continuing growth for the next three to six months.
More than three-fourths of businesses reported that the federal spending sequestration has had no impact on their business.
Inflationary pressures at the wholesale level decline again.
Approximately half of businesses surveyed have experienced or expect to experience negative impacts from the Affordable Care Act.

For Immediate Release: May 1, 2013

OMAHA, Neb. – The monthly Mid-America Business Conditions Index, a leading economic indicator for a nine-state region, dipped for the month. The index continues to point to improving economic growth for the region in the next three to six months.

Overall index: The Business Conditions Index, which ranges between 0 and 100, declined to a solid 56.8 from March’s even healthier 58.2.

“Durable goods producers in the region continue to outperform nondurable goods manufacturers. Durable goods manufacturers reported strong growth in new orders from both domestic and international buyers. Despite this healthy growth, inflationary pressures at the wholesale level remain restrained,” said Ernie Goss, Ph.D., director of Creighton University’s Economic Forecasting Group and the Jack A. MacAllister Chair in Regional Economics.

Employment: After moving below growth neutral for January, the region’s employment gauge has climbed above 50.0 for the past three months. The April reading rose to 60.7 from March’s 56.3. “Companies in the region are increasing the pace of new hiring. For the entire region, I expect the employment to rise to pre-recession levels this summer. At this point in time, the region’s employment level is off less than one-half of a percentage point from pre-recession levels. Of course this differs by state with Arkansas, Kansas and Missouri lagging well behind the remainder of the states,” said Goss.

Wholesale Prices: The prices-paid index, which tracks the cost of purchased raw materials and supplies, sank to 62.6 from 64.1 in March. “Inflationary pressures at the wholesale level are clearly trending lower. Thus far, the Federal Reserve’s cheap money policy is elevating inflationary pressures, but only modestly. The bigger problem in Mid-America has been the Fed’s impact on asset prices such as farmland which continue to expand at rates that should concern agriculture interests,” said Goss.

Confidence: Looking ahead six months, economic optimism, as captured by the April business confidence index, expanded to 59.9 from 58.2 in March. “Supply managers expect the upturn in housing to remain an important ingredient of the economic expansion. The federal spending sequestration is having almost no impact on the outlook. The last two months, we have asked supply managers how the federal spending sequestration was affecting their company. More than three-fourths of supply managers in March and April indicated that the cuts have had no impact on their company to date. Less than one-fourth reported only modest impacts. None of the businesses reported significant impacts,” said Goss.

This month we also asked supply managers the expected outcome from the Affordable Care Act. Approximately fifty percent have experienced, or expect to experience negative impacts. Only 2 percent anticipate positive impacts, while the remaining 48 percent expect little or no impact on their business.

Inventories: Regional inventory levels increased for the month but at a slower pace compared to March. The April inventory index slumped to 50.6 from March’s 58.1. “Companies in our survey have now expanded inventory levels for five straight months. This inventory accumulation will add to regional growth in the months ahead. This is another indicator of improving business confidence,” said Goss.

Trade: New export orders improved for the month. The new export orders index increased to a 54.5 from 50.9 in March. In another signal of an expanding regional economy, the import index advanced for a third straight month to 58.4 from March’s 55.0 and 53.7 in February. “Upturns in production have pushed supply managers to increase their purchases from abroad. While the increase in new export orders for the month is good news, we will need to experience several months of this growth to be confident that exports are once again adding to regional growth,” said Goss.

Other components: Other components of the April Business Conditions Index were new orders at 61.3, down from March’s very strong 65.4; production or sales at 63.2, up from 62.4; and delivery lead time at 48.5, down from 49.0 in March.

Survey results for May will be released on the first business day of the month June 3.

Follow Goss on twitter at
For historical data and forecasts visit our website at:

Getting Past The Screener And Into The Interview

PublishedMay 1, 2013 | ByDeborah Walker (Phone: 360.260.4965)

I had an interesting conversation a while back with arecruiter who made a comment about the surprising number of resumes she gets from people seemingly overqualified or from unrelated industries. Most of the resumes she tosses aside with disinterest.I share her comments in case you fit the profile of candidate she mentioned. If so, there are steps to take to make certain your resume is seriously considered when applying for a position outside your industry or for which you are overqualified.

1. Address the issue in your cover letter. State clearly your interest in changing industries. Express your knowledge of the industry and its challenges. Point out how your background experiences make you a great candidate. If you are seemingly overqualified, demonstrate your value: better perspective, more patient, and extensive industry knowledge.

2. If transitioning to a new industry, focus your resume on your transferable skills rather than routine responsibilities. Back up your transferable skills with illustrative accomplishments. Translate industry-specific jargon into general terminology. Give less “white space” to company names if they are commonly connected with your industry. White space is just what it sounds like: white area around words. Words or phrases surrounded by white space stand out and attract the eye.

3. If over qualified, downplay your managerial responsibilities and highlight your hands-on activities and contributions. Give less “white space” to your job title. Don’t quantify information such as number of employees managed, amount of budget overseen, etc.

Many job seekers feel that if they can just get the interview they can sell the interviewer on their qualifications. That may be so, but without a convincing cover letter and resume, the interview won’t happen. If you feel you’re being screened out unjustly, try these suggestions and see if you don’t get better results.

ISM Kansas City Board of Directors

President

Kriss Pearson

Laird Plastics

1st Vice President

Manuel Gutierrez, C.P.M.

CenturyLink

Director National Affairs & Past President

LaMar Wilson, Jr.

NAIC

Treasurer

Joel Johnson, CPSM

Secretary

JoAnn Harper, CPSM, C.P.M.

Sprint

Director - Diversity

Asya EvansMidAmerica Minority Business Development Council – KC

Director – Marketing

TBD

Director – Programs

Esmeralda Phillips, C.P.M.

Sprint

Director - Membership

Penelope Wilson

Kansas City Power & Light

Director - Communications

Jim Marinakis, CPSM, C.P.M.

CenturyLink

Director – Education

Joe Steve, CPSM, C.P.M.

Kansas City Power & Light