The concept covers progress on the key issues of

1. developing a clear strategy
2. putting in place all the key supporting processes
3. developing the appropriate measurement tools into a full scorecard
4. developing the supporting information technology
5. clarifying how the organization will develop supply relationships with trading partners
6. ensuring the company's organization can cope with Supply Management

While the optimal organization structure will vary depending on the company's strategic intent and the specific category's role, a number of principles hold generally true:

• internally, supply management requires true cross-functional working, be it within manufacturers or retailers;
• joint supply management requires a new type of interface structure between manufacturers and retailers; and