Question 1

A supply manager recently graduated from college is hired by a manufacturing organization as a buyer of industrial chemicals. The new supply manager has limited knowledge of chemicals and the marketplace. In this situation, which of the following is the FIRST step the supply manager should take?

Options :

A : Investigate the organization-s business intelligence systems in order learn about competitors

B : Refer to social media to gain an understanding of the marketplace

C : Attend the annual conference of the provider of the organization’s supply management system

D : Meet with suppliers to learn the marketplace, trends and best practices within the industry

Answer: D

Question 2

A new buyer is hired, and over time the department supervisor notices the buyer's writing style is consistently unprofessional. To improve the buyer's written communications, the supervisor edits several of the buyer's memos, and returns them with a note as an example of how company communications should be written. However, this does not result in any changes in the buyer’s writing style. How should the supervisor rate the "written communication" portion of the buyer's performance review?

Options :

A : Acceptable; deficiencies addressed, but continual monitoring until annual review

B : Unsatisfactory; performance improvement plan necessary

C : Satisfactory; deficiency addressed and no additional or further review necessary

D : Needs improvement; course on business writing required

Answer: B

Question 3

A supply management department has recently received resignations from several important staff members. Exit interviews indicate that the primary reason for the staff members’ departure was frustration over their expertise not being valued. They also viewed their work as repetitive and not an efficient use of their time or effort. Which of the following would be the BEST way for the department manager to improve this situation?

Options :

A : Revise performance evaluation criteria to reward initiative

B : Convene a staff meeting to explain why current tasks are important to the company

C : Consider motivational dimensions and redesign job descriptions where possible

D : Discuss the situation with counterparts in other departments and brainstorm solutions

Answer: C

Question 4

A firm's human resources (HR) department would like to expand a successful training program butdoes not have funding to do so. The firm's supply manager believes that strategic sourcing of other HR spend categories can reduce costs to provide funding for the training program. Which of the following influencing tactics should the supply manager use FIRST in order to convince HR to employ strategic sourcing?

Options :

A : Liking

B : Cooperation

C : Logic

D : Emotion

Answer: C

Question 5

A supply management audit finds that sole source purchases have increased significantly due to the inexperience of the sourcing team, and that the waiving of competition is not justified in many cases. This has resulted in increased costs, as well as noncompliance with organizational policies requiring competitive solicitations. Which of the following is the BEST way to rectify this situation?

Options :

A : Train staff in solicitation policies and practices

B : Report noncompliance to management in user departments

C : Improve audit procedures to identify problem areas sooner

D : Make sole source review a key performance indicator (KPI)

Answer: A

Confidently Practice Online with Free LEAD Exam Cram

Buying Options: