Solopharm's Deputy Director for Procurement, Logistics, and Foreign Economic Activity, Ekaterina Zhuravleva, spoke in an interview with CFO Russia about the actual restructuring of supply chains, logistics optimization, and procurement management during a crisis.
She will also be a speaker at the XVII «Procurement Management» conference, where she will continue the topic of business efficiency and sustainability.
Why Approaches Had to Change
The key driver was the need to increase supply stability and bring costs under control amid market turbulence.
«If the chain operates with disruptions – fines, inspections, delays – the total costs for logistics, foreign economic activity, and warehousing can reach 50-200% of the product's value. Our task is not simply to cut logistics expenses, but to reduce the company's total costs without losing the high quality of the product,» emphasizes Ekaterina Zhuravleva.
What Solopharm Did
The company conducted an in-depth analysis of supplies, carrier tariffs, customs procedures, and work with contractors. The result was systemic changes:
-
Expanded the pool of logistics partners
-
Introduced an electronic platform for rapid transportation tenders
-
Revised interactions with customs representatives
A special focus was placed on supply consolidation and cross-functional collaboration (logistics, procurement, planning, warehouse, finance, sales). This helped build efficient routes and reduce warehouse inventories.
Flexibility as the norm
The company has worked out alternative supply scenarios.
«The planning/procurement/logistics chain is built so that there is always a Plan B, C, and beyond ready,» notes Ekaterina.
Results
A significant reduction in logistics expenses and an increase in warehouse inventory turnover – taking into account all the specifics of pharmaceutical production.
More details on these and other cases will be shared in Ekaterina Zhuravleva's presentation at the XVII «Procurement Management» conference on September 10–11, 2026.
Read the full interview via the link
https://www.cfo-russia.ru/stati/?article=99416
