Supply Chain & Operations

Our Expertise

Optimize your supply chain, deliver transformational results

In response to emerging global trends, increased demand for visibility, and speed-to-market pressures, the most successful organizations optimize their supply chains to fuel sustainable growth. We’ll help your organization mitigate risk, explore options, and build a flexible and responsive supply chain tailored to the distinct needs of your business. Whether you need to quickly respond and react to global complexities or customer and product demands, our experts help you align your supply chain with your strategic business goals.

Our professionals have experience across many industries and understand the inherent supply chain risks you face, resulting in customized solutions to help you succeed. We ask the right questions, identify opportunities, and develop and implement sustainable solutions — all to drive high growth and boost profitability. We’ll help you manage change and achieve transformational results.

Align processes and business strategies for deliberate growth

From high-level strategy and vision to innovative, high-impact initiatives that build on streamlined processes and infrastructure, our holistic approach helps transform the supply chain of any company, from emerging startups to established international enterprises. Our consultants help you focus on delivering the biggest improvements in the shortest amount of time possible.

Our services for supply chain and operations improvement include:


Distribution & logistics management

An efficient distribution network and transportation strategy that aligns with your overall business strategy gives you the flexibility to innovate and adapt to change. Do your logistics operations align with your long-term corporate strategy? We’ll help shape an effective distribution network and transportation strategy that leverages technology and partnerships to optimize and streamline your operations. We’ll identify improvement opportunities to enhance service, lower logistics costs, and provide you with a cohesive blueprint that positions you for success in a rapidly changing global economy. Our services include transportation cost reduction, warehouse management, network design and optimization, 3PL /4PL selection and relationship management, and reverse logistics.


Industry 4.0
Industry 4.0 is the intelligent connectivity between your equipment, people, processes, technology, and digital competencies. From improved operations to increased competitiveness, higher-quality production, a more productive workforce, and greater revenue, the benefits span your entire organization. One thing is clear: Industry 4.0 is no longer an option, and those who wait fall behind. It’s time to level up.
Manufacturing operations

A streamlined operation equates to improved financial performance. With hands-on industry experience, we’ll quickly learn the intricacies of your business operations. Our practical approach helps you achieve high performance and sustainable results that improve customer service levels and bottom-line profitability.

Planning & forecasting

Are the right items available when and where they’re needed? We’ll assess your existing planning activities and communication methods, analyze forecast inputs, and help create a responsive, highly integrated planning process that improves operational and revenue performance. Our sales and operations planning (S&OP) services include forecast management and communication, supply-to-demand alignment, capacity management, and lead time reduction.

Process improvement

Even the strongest performers can find new opportunities to streamline processes and reduce waste. We’ll apply our knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, value stream mapping, continuous improvement/Kaizen events, and other process improvement disciplines to remove waste and drive rapid, sustainable growth. We’ll not only identify issues and gaps in current procedures but also deliver solutions for your particular situation and manage implementation to ensure a smooth transition from current to future state operations.

Project & program management

Transforming ideas into reality, while maintaining business alignment and profitability, can be a significant undertaking. Whether you have one project or an organizational transformation consisting of various complex initiatives, we ensure you have the keys for success: proper controls, communication mechanisms, project management tools, and monitoring processes.

Sourcing & supplier management

Are you confident you’re receiving the lowest total costs with the highest quality and service levels? We’ll work closely with you to improve existing capabilities, streamline processes, and build positive, long-term supplier relationships. Our services include sourcing strategy development and execution, cost-savings implementation, supplier development and performance management improvements, and supply-base risk assessment and mitigation.

Supply chain & operations strategy

Does your current strategic roadmap allow you to pivot quickly when you notice issues in your supply chain network? By focusing on your company’s existing strengths, we’ll help you develop and implement strategies to drive innovation and position your organization to outperform competitors in the global economy.




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Client Experience

We speak your language

Our clients frequently tell us they appreciate our human side. We won’t hesitate to roll up our sleeves and entrench ourselves in your organization. And we won’t talk over you. At Plante Moran, we partner with you to understand your unique issues and provide pragmatic, yet sustainable, solutions to solve increasingly difficult day-to-day challenges and complex issues. We combine this approach with upfront planning and regular communications to avoid any unwanted surprises.

This approach is the cornerstone of our supply chain and operations team. Kim Doyle, supply chain and operations practice leader, explains, “Our team members don’t use ‘consultant speak.’ There are no barriers to connecting with our clients on a practical level, which allows us to quickly identify the root of their problems and develop a solution for a dynamic supply chain that positions them for success.”

Our clients say

As our company was undergoing significant transformation, our team was challenged to manage change and balance work load. We were able to bring Plante Moran in to work side-by-side with us. They operated as part of OUR team and not as outside consultants. I was impressed with the level of engagement and how they were able to learn about our people and processes. This allowed us to make smart decisions regarding how and where to improve - and it created a better level of accountability regarding the desired improvements and outcomes. The PM team also created trust and credibility within the project team, which enhanced their effectiveness. I would strongly recommend Plante Moran and will partner with them in the future.

Michael Stornant
SVP & CFO, Wolverine Worldwide, Inc.