BUSINESSMANAGEMENTREVIEW.COMJUNE 20249PACKAGING: IMPLEMENTING INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONSWithin our centralized strategic sourcing group, we pursue supply solutions across our family of companies that span multiple business units that operate in more than 50 counties around the world. This means comprehensively identifying all single and sole-sourced input materials and determining alternative options to proactively mitigate supply chain difficulties. Additionally, our teams continuously design and implement sourcing strategies for packaging, food ingredients, and indirect spend categories within GSF's North American food manufacturing divisions.An example of this teamwork-centered approach, GSF successfully launched an innovative solution for condiment and sauce portion-dispensing in partnership with Sealed Air and one of our long-time iconic QSR customers. Previously, our customers used rigid containers, which created operational challenges, higher packaging costs, back-of-house storage obstacles, and shipping inefficiencies. In supporting the customer's continuous improvement priorities, GSF implemented CRYOVAC® brand FlexPrep® portion-dispensing pouches, which are designed for recycling and approved for labeling as RIC#4, polyethylene (PE).Compared to a paperboard canister format, the new packaging innovation focuses on our customers and the industry's carbon footprint, resulting in an overall decrease in greenhouse gas emissions over the product's lifespan. With our commitment to sustainability and quality service, GSF effectively collaborated on a solution that boasts an 85 percent reduction in package weight, improves product yields by up to 10 percent; enables more product per pallet shipped, and requires fewer emissions-producing trucks on the road to supply our customer's restaurants with 100 million pounds of liquid product annually.PROCUREMENT: EMBRACING TACTICAL PLANNING With the current priority of alleviating global supply chain challenges for all end-to-end (E2E) stakeholders, we have worked diligently to apply our key learnings from the first two years of the pandemic. All GSF teams across the globe have leveraged long-standing relationships, proactively managed disruptions, and qualified a greater depth of alternative suppliers, which have collectively helped our businesses overcome every type of interruption. To minimize our customers' exposure and assure supply to them, our multi-pronged approach includes mapping out single and sole-source suppliers, while prioritizing product and package development initiatives.Our top goals right now in the supply chain continuous improvement area are assuring supply; optimizing cost and transportation requirements; managing cash and inventory; providing best-in-class customer service; driving sustainability; and pursuing innovation. We also have teams solely focused on transforming GSF's digital roadmap to support essential processes, such as Material Requirements Planning (MRP), as well as sales and operations planning efforts.PEOPLE: RECOGNIZING OUR STRONGEST LINKSThe strongest links in supply chains are the dedicated, knowledgeable, innovative people who work tirelessly to solve today's complex challenges. We recognize and celebrate the teamwork, tenacity, and flexibility of our award-winning GSF supply chain professionals. From sourcing and packaging to product innovation and customer support, our operational leaders have earned recent industry recognition from the Association for Dressings and Sauces (Packaging of the Year Award), Food Logistics (Rock Stars of the Supply Chain), Food Processing (R&D Teams of the Year), and Jack in the Box (Supplier Innovation Award).Ultimately, it is people who team up and build steadfast partnerships among GSF, its suppliers, and its valued customers. In overcoming today's supply chain challenges together, these people-driven partnerships enable consumers to enjoy their favorite QSR menu items every day. So, when you're craving that one specific sandwich, beverage, or sauce from your local drive-thru, you can count on GSF to assure the supply that satisfies your appetite every time.ABOUT GOLDEN STATE FOODSOne of the largest diversified suppliers to the foodservice industry, Golden State Foods (GSF) is a multi-national company that's values-based with proven performance in superior quality, innovation, and customer service. Established in 1947, GSF currently services 200+ leading brands (125,000+ restaurants/stores) from its 50 locations on five continents. With its global headquarters in Irvine, California, GSF also operates the national non-profit, the GSF Foundation.Trisha McRoberts, Group Vice President of Strategic Sourcing and a GSF associate since 2021, designs and implements strategic sourcing strategies for packaging, food ingredients, and indirect spend categories across GSF's food manufacturing divisions. Previously, as Head of Americas Procurement with the global spice, herb, and flavor manufacturer, McCormick and Company, Inc., she led end-to-end supply chain solutions, consultant engagements, and the development of capabilities focused on margin-enhancing, strategic growth. In 2022, the Packaging Digest podcast, "Packaging Possibilities" featured Trisha's supply chain thought leadership in an interview.
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