1. Based on your knowledge of the global business environment and the positioning of South Face with regard to its markets and supply sources, what do you think are some of the major global issues that will be relevant to the area of strategic sourcing?
2. What are the impacts of less-than-perfect demand forecasts for South Face products, and of volatility in the length and cost of transport services used to move its products from contract manufacturers to DC’s? What should be done to mitigate these problem areas?
3. What elements of the strategic sourcing process do you feel are the top candidates for improvement at South Face, and why?
4. How would you respond to the assertion that some of your contract manufacturers are involved in producing illegal merchandise that ends up competing with the branded merchandise of South Face?