National account executives for medical device manufacturers should be aware of Cleveland Clinic’s focus on supply chain resiliency to ensure their products and services align with the organization’s goals. Cleveland Clinic’s supply chain strategy aims to minimize disruptions, maintain consistent product availability, and ensure efficient operations. 

“Given the ongoing emphasis on supply chain resilience, we’ve been actively seeking a solution that will help create end-to-end supply chain visibility,” Geoff Gates, Senior Director of Supply Chain Management for Cleveland Clinic, told The Journal of Healthcare Contracting. “This involves sharing our procedure schedules, daily census, on-hand inventory, and forecasts with suppliers, while also asking suppliers to provide insight to their forecasts and on-hand inventory. Creating that visibility would be a crucial advancement toward greater resilience, enabling us to anticipate disruptions more accurately.” 

Here are some things to consider:

1. Risk Mitigation and Redundancy

• Cleveland Clinic prioritizes minimizing risks associated with disruptions, such as natural disasters, pandemics, or geopolitical issues. They may look for manufacturers with multiple production sites, diversified supplier bases, and robust contingency plans.
• Manufacturers should present their risk mitigation strategies, including plans for alternative sourcing and redundant manufacturing capabilities.

2. Transparency and Visibility

• Supply chain transparency is critical for Cleveland Clinic. Medical device manufacturers should provide real-time visibility into their supply chains, including where materials come from and production timelines.
• Digital tools and platforms that offer tracking and analytics may enhance the appeal of a manufacturer’s product offerings.

3. Collaboration and Strategic Partnerships

• Cleveland Clinic is likely to favor suppliers willing to form long-term partnerships aimed at improving mutual supply chain efficiencies and innovations.
• Proactively discussing opportunities for joint planning, shared goals, and collaboration on demand forecasting can position manufacturers favorably.

The IDN Directory provides insights into the supply chains for the biggest health systems in the country to give manufacturer reps, distribution reps, and national accounts managers a quick, accurate view of what’s going on with their customers - right now. Contact us at demo@idndirectory.com to schedule a demo today!