Trace Data Research

  Client Background  The client is a tier-1 automotive component manufacturer supplying to leading OEMs across North America and Europe. With a complex global supply chain and a wide range of direct material inputs, the client faced growing pressure to optimize sourcing decisions without compromising on quality or compliance. Their  procurement  team had historically relied on legacy vendor relationships and internal cost benchmarks but was now seeking a more data-backed, agile approach to sourcing. Challenges They Faced Despite operating at scale, the client struggled with few critical sourcing challenges: Fluctuations in the prices of metals and synthetic components created instability in procurement budgets across quarters. The client was dependent on multi-region suppliers but lacked access to actual cost breakdowns, making it difficult to assess margin fairness or renegotiate effectively. With 70% of direct material so...