Reference no: EM133408311

Question I

You are a Contract Manager for a Buyer who is in the business of making specialized robotic equipment for the auto industry. Buyer recently developed a new robot design and will need to procure some components from various suppliers in order to produce the new robotics:

Custom Printed Circuit Boards (PCB)
Miscellaneous generic nuts and bolts
The type of PCB's required are very specialized, with only four (4) suitable suppliers in the world. Given what you have learned, what type of contracting methods would you have expected Buyer to employ in procuring these two supplies? Why?

Question II

Once Buyer selected the supplier for the PCBs, XYZ Corp., you begin the process of negotiating a contract. The negotiations have become strained between you and your counterpart. You've noticed a worsening pattern of behavior that began as simple omissions in communications, then misreporting progress, backdating documents, and finally, slipping in new terms to drafts without your knowledge. During your last meeting with your negotiating counterpart, they became very aggressive demanding that several proposed terms be accepted or XYZ Corp. would walk away from the negotiations. You've decided to brief your supervisor on the situation. As an aside, you are aware that leadership is intent on establishing a long-term relationship with XYZ Corp. to ensure a stable supply chain for this and future projects.

Describe any issues with this type of behavior, that you would raise to your supervisor, and why they are significant. Also provide an example of steps/strategies/tactics you might take to resolve these issues and complete the negotiation.

Question III

You are also made aware that Buyer already had a contract in place with a supplier for the manufacture/purchase of custom mounting brackets. Seller has identified new safety standards that require a change in manufacturing process and product specifications. In response, the Project Manager (Buyer), several key stakeholders (i.e., Engineering, Quality Control, etc.), and your counterparts at the Seller began holding regular meetings, exchanging documentation, conducting telephone calls, and emailing back and forth about the specifications. You have not been part of these meetings.

You have been tasked by the Project Manager with ensuring the "correct process is followed, contractually, you know." What process would you follow to address the new specifications? and Why? How would you determine what the new specifications are? You may also identify information you would like to have, but not listed above.