Enabling Product Transfer for Procurement Optimization
In this procurement optimization case study, Clarkston Consulting recently partnered with a medical manufacturer to strengthen processes and fulfill a product transfer initiative. Read a synopsis of the project below or download the full case study.
Download the Procurement Optimization Case Study Here
Two years after a financial firm advised a supplier consolidation to reduce complexity and drive cost savings, a medical manufacturer and distributor of ophthalmic products engaged Clarkston Consulting to recover a stalled product transfer initiative. The client had reduced its supplier base from over 30 to two but encountered execution challenges 18 months into the transfer.
Clarkston was initially engaged to achieve three objectives:
- Complete outstanding product transfer activities from Phase 1.
- Oversee transfer of missed component SKUs.
- Supervise the transition of purchased finished goods within the product category.
To execute this, Clarkston partnered with cross-functional teams—material management, sourcing, finance, marketing, and quality—to define cost models, timelines, phase-in/phase-out strategies, and ownership of deliverables. Clarkston also led the global customer communication strategy to ensure alignment across sales and marketing.
As the engagement progressed, the client expanded the scope to include updating its purchasing procedures to encompass purchased kit components and OEM finished goods, ensuring compliance with EU Article 120 on significant equivalency. Clarkston supported this by defining required documentation for supplier equivalency, creating a RACI to clarify roles and responsibilities, and outlining labeling and regulatory obligations for replacement products.
Clarkston also facilitated a comprehensive lessons learned workshop, enabling internal teams to provide feedback and driving leadership visibility into opportunities for improvement in future projects and RFP cycles.
The project was successfully completed and transitioned back to the business with strengthened procurement processes, regulatory compliance, and a framework that positions the client for sustained success in managing OEM and kit component sourcing.
