Case $3-2$: Lambert$-$Martin Automotive Systems Inc.

IMMEDIATE ISSUE

$1.$ Prepare for meeting with group vice presidents to review opportunities in purchasing.

$2.$ Investigate opportunities for changes to the purchasing organizational structure.

BASIC ISSUES

$$ Organizational structure of supply

$$ Strategic and financial contribution of the supply function

$$ Change management Student Assignment

Q$1)$Should Lambert$-$Martin move towards great centralization of the purchasing function? Why?

Q$2)$What kinds of questions should Arthur raise in the meeting with the group vice$-$presidents?

Q$3)$How sympathetic do you think the group vice presidents will be towards greater centralization?

Q$4)$What are the important challenges currently facing Lambert$-$Martin?

Q$5)$How can the purchasing function help to meet Lambert$-$Martin$$s goals and strategies?

Q$6)$How can the purchasing department at five groups at Lambert$-$Martin work effectively together to leverage our corporate spend and sustain best practices?

Q$7)$Does the corporate purchasing department provide value to an organization? If yes, what are they?