Supply chain reference checking — analysts, planners and procurement staff

What supply chain references should cover

Supply chain employment references should address: analytical competency and approach to supply chain data and demand forecasting, proficiency with ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics), planning tools and supply chain analytics platforms, performance in specific supply chain disciplines — procurement, inventory management, demand planning, S&OP — relationship management with suppliers, third-party logistics providers and internal stakeholders, response to supply chain disruptions and problem-solving under operational pressure, and any significant achievements or projects during their employment in the supply chain function.

Procurement and supplier relationship management references

Supply chain professionals in procurement roles have significant commercial influence — supplier selection, contract negotiation, spend management, make-or-buy decisions. References for senior procurement placements should address commercial judgement, supplier relationship quality, negotiation outcomes and any governance or ethics concerns during their employment. Standard employment reference templates addressing general performance provide no information about these critical procurement-specific dimensions.

For agencies placing supply chain professionals across different industry sectors — retail supply chains, FMCG, automotive, pharmaceutical — references can be configured to address sector-specific supply chain challenges and requirements. RefAssure templates for specialist supply chain placements capture sector-relevant questions alongside standard professional competency fields. From 99p per reference with no subscription.