Procurement & Supply Chain Advisory for SME Manufacturers
Commercially grounded. Data informed. Results delivered.
Procurement and supply chain performance directly impact margin, cash flow and operational stability. For many SMEs, the challenge is not intent but structure, visibility and senior capability.
We provide experienced, senior-level procurement and supply chain advisory support to help businesses regain control, improve performance and protect profitability.
Why Procurement and Supply Chain Matter More Than Ever
Input costs remain volatile. Supplier performance varies. Working capital is under pressure. Employment and tax changes increase the cost of hiring senior capability. For many growing SMEs, procurement and supply chain functions evolve reactively rather than strategically.
Without structure and visibility, commercial leakage becomes embedded in day-to-day operations.
- Margin erosion through unmanaged supplier pricing
- Lack of supplier performance accountability
- Poor visibility of spend and cost drivers
- Working capital tied up in excess stock
- Overstretched internal teams
- Lack of structured procurement governance
Founder Led Commercial Advisory
Procurement and supply chain advisory at Alliance Procurement Solutions is personally led by Mark Wood, drawing on over two decades of senior procurement and commercial leadership experience across Rolls-Royce, Siemens, ABB and numerous manufacturing SMEs.
Having operated within complex corporate supply chains, Mark brings structured governance, negotiation discipline and performance visibility into SME environments without introducing unnecessary complexity or bureaucracy.
The focus is always the same: measurable, sustainable commercial improvement.
Procurement & Supply Chain Consultancy Services
Cost Reduction & Margin Improvement
We identify commercial leakage, challenge supplier pricing structures and implement structured negotiation strategies to improve gross margin. This is not short-term price cutting. It is disciplined commercial improvement.
Fractional Procurement Leadership
When you do not require a full-time senior hire, we provide experienced procurement leadership on a flexible basis. This includes supplier governance, commercial direction and team oversight, aligned to business objectives.
Supplier Strategy & Performance Management
We support supplier segmentation, KPI design and structured performance reviews to improve delivery reliability and commercial accountability.
Supply Chain Structure & Process Design
We assess team roles, approval frameworks and purchasing processes to bring control and operational discipline to the function and establish clear procurement governance frameworks.
Working Capital & Inventory Reduction
Through structured purchasing and stock analysis, we support improved cash flow, reduced excess inventory and better alignment between demand and supply.
Data-Enabled Procurement & Supply Chain Consultancy
Procurement decisions should not rely solely on instinct or fragmented spreadsheets. Our advisory work is strengthened by structured performance insight ensuring procurement and supply chain decisions are evidence-based rather than reactive.
Where appropriate, we support implementation of:
- Spend visibility dashboards
- Supplier performance reporting
- Margin tracking by category or product
- Inventory and working capital reporting
- Leadership KPI frameworks
This ensures improvement is measurable, sustainable and transparent.
Our Approach
We follow a structured, practical methodology that ensures commercial improvement is embedded rather than temporary.
Investigate
Assess current spend, supplier structures, processes and performance.
Inform
Provide clear commercial insights into cost, risk and opportunity.
Implement
Deliver practical changes including negotiation, restructuring and process refinement.
Innovate
Embed reporting and governance structures that sustain long-term performance.
Typical Outcomes
- Reduced input costs
- Improved gross margin
- Clear supplier accountability
- Stronger commercial governance
- Improved delivery performance
- Greater leadership confidence in procurement decisions
Who is this for?
We work with Managing Directors, Finance Directors, Operational Leaders and Procurement teams across manufacturing, engineering and operationally complex businesses who:
- Are scaling but lack procurement structure, or need additional resource
- Have experienced margin pressure
- Need senior capability
- Want clearer commercial visibility
- Require supplier performance improvement
Procurement Consultancy for Growing SME Manufacturers
We provide experienced, senior-level procurement and supply chain advisory support to help growing SME manufacturers improve margin, strengthen supplier performance and gain commercial control without committing to permanent senior hires.
Lets Have a Commercial Conversation
Whether you require short-term support, structured cost recovery or broader supply chain review, we are happy to have an initial discussion.
Procurement and supply chain performance should strengthen your business – not constrain it.
Where greater visibility is required, we support leadership teams with structured reporting and performance dashboards aligned to commercial objectives.
Learn more about how our performance insight platform supports procurement decision-making.