How Automation Can Transform Supplier Management
The task of managing suppliers has moved beyond spreadsheets and static forms.
Foodservice distributors face growing complexity as they increase the number of suppliers, work to onboard new vendors, strive to enhance supplier communications and record-keeping, and manage compliance for shifting food safety rules. Automation has become a crucial approach to making progress.
“Distributors need an innovative and comprehensive strategy to manage suppliers across their business needs,” said Susanne Moore, CEO of technology solution provider smrtrTM, who is one of two speakers on this topic at an upcoming IFDA Solutions Conference workshop.
The workshop, on Monday September 29, is titled “Leveraging Technology for Supplier and Food Safety Compliance.” The other speaker will be Michael Hegarty, vice president of Corporate IT Strategy for distributor Lipari Foods. Smrtr also will be exhibiting at the conference expo in booth 101.
The smrtr Supplier Onboarding and Compliance solution focuses on mitigating risks, reducing costs and enhancing operational efficiency. It keeps profiles on suppliers and can quickly identify a range of documents and information needs. These include private label agreements, W9s, and certificates of insurance. It can also track which suppliers are veteran- or minority-owned businesses, which provide products with various claims and certifications, and other key points of information. The system informs suppliers of timetables for providing or updating information and integrates with many third-party solutions. Distributors benefit from quick access to data, such as in the case of a recall.
Smrtr regularly adds to its AI capabilities. For example, the system will soon be able to analyze ingredient profiles, which may lead to requests for suppliers to provide specific documentation. It will also be layering in features to help with traceability.
The company has been actively participating with the Partnership for Food Traceability to help advance industry readiness for FSMA 204. The regulation’s compliance deadline was recently extended to July 20, 2028.
“We want to ensure market readiness when FSMA 204 hits,” Moore said.
Article authored by freelance writer David Orgel.
