Optimizing Procurement Operations for Commercial Launch
Clarkston Consulting recently partnered with a clinical-stage cell therapy company on revamping their procurement operations to prepare for commercial launch. Read a synopsis of the project below or download the full case study.
Download the Procurement Operations for Commercial Launch Case Study Here
A clinical-stage cell therapy company preparing for commercial operations engaged Clarkston Consulting to assess and transform its procurement function. With growing operational complexity and evolving business needs, the client required a realistic roadmap to improve both direct and indirect requisition-to-pay processes.
Using a structured assessment methodology, Clarkston evaluated the requisition-to-pay (R2P) process across people, process, and technology. The assessment identified key inefficiencies including overengineered workflows, data quality issues, underutilized systems, and misaligned costing and material strategies. The company had applied a “one-size-fits-all” approach to procurement, failing to segment materials based on risk, value, or supply variability, which led to poor inventory optimization and cash flow imbalances.
Clarkston delivered a future-state roadmap with actionable recommendations to streamline procurement processes, improve supplier transparency, and reinforce compliance. Benchmarking and capability assessments revealed that complex processes, adapted from large pharmaceutical models, were not fit-for-purpose for the client’s scale or maturity. Additionally, unclear roles, insufficient escalation protocols, and manual workarounds had introduced bottlenecks and delayed manufacturing readiness.
Key initiatives included redesigning procurement roles, establishing a supplier management program, reassigning resources to value-added activities, and deploying training for efficient order management. Clarkston also mapped existing system capabilities and proposed steps to maximize technology investments through automation and analytics.
Recommendations were prioritized by business impact and implementation effort, highlighting “quick wins” to drive early value and catalyze change. The final roadmap was tailored to support the client’s dual clinical-commercial model, balancing compliance, agility, and scalability. Through this partnership, the client received a realistic and actionable transformation plan, positioning procurement as a strategic enabler of commercial success and operational excellence.
