Work with multiple suppliers Order stock early before peak season Prioritize essential shipments Negotiate faster production timelines Use local suppliers for urgent needs Improve demand forecasting Offer incentives for quicker delivery Keep open communication with suppliers

First, I’d communicate openly with the suppliers to understand the root cause—whether it’s production issues, labor shortages, or something else. Next, I’d work on a short-term solution, like diversifying suppliers or adjusting delivery schedules. If possible, I’d also explore buffer stock options or strategic inventory planning to cover peak periods. Building a more flexible, collaborative relationship with suppliers would help mitigate future conflicts and ensure smoother operations.

My experience works In the steel industry, I once faced a peak-season crisis—our key supplier failed to deliver critical raw materials, halting production. Instead of scrambling for last-minute solutions, I had already implemented a dual-sourcing strategy. By securing a secondary supplier and negotiating flexible volume contracts, we minimized downtime. Additionally, we worked with suppliers to improve forecasting accuracy and set penalties for non-compliance. The key? Proactive risk management. A single-source dependency is a disaster waiting to happen.