3 Market Signals Every Procurement Leader Should Monitor
Waiting for a missed shipment or a plummeting supplier score to act is a recipe for disruption. That’s why procurement leaders are rethinking how they assess supplier risk, looking beyond the dashboard and into broader market signals.
In our recent fireside chat with Omer Abdullah , Co-Founder of The Smart Cube and author of Risk & Your Supply Chain, he broke down the three essential categories of market signals every team should monitor to stay ahead of supplier health risks.
🎙️ Watch the full webinar recording:
1. Financial Viability
Financial stability is still a core pillar, but it’s about patterns, not just point-in-time metrics.
- Credit and solvency scores
- Cash reserves (especially during disruptions)
- Profitability and revenue trends over time
“Public company data is easier to access,” Omer noted, “but for private suppliers, you’ll need to get creative—use what you can and pair it with other indicators.”
2. Management & Operational Sustainability
Leadership turnover and communication breakdowns often hint at deeper issues.
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- C-suite changes (especially multiple departures)
- Rising employee turnover
- Declining responsiveness
- Operational flags: late shipments, changing MOQs, increased subcontracting, or legal/regulatory trouble
“If half the C-suite turns over,” Omer warned, “something is going on. And if you’re getting more late shipment notifications, it’s time to dig deeper.”
3. Industry & Market Trends
No supplier exists in a vacuum. Context is key.
- Bankruptcies in their industry or geography
- Regulatory and geopolitical shifts
- Competitive changes
- Even social media — a real-time window into brewing issues
“Social media is surprisingly valuable,” said Omer. “It can offer signals before formal channels catch up.”
Final Takeaway:
Don’t rely solely on D&B scores or outdated dashboards. Combine traditional metrics with early warning signs and market intelligence to build a proactive, resilient supplier risk strategy.
👉 Watch the full conversation with Omer Abdullah above to learn how to bring these signals into your QBRs and supplier performance programs.
Ready to talk to a team member about transforming your supplier performance? Reach out to the SupplyHive team here, or email [email protected].
