This area of the website is for both current and potential suppliers to NATS. The aim is to provide information on Supply Chain Management within NATS including the following:
- Supply Chain Strategy
- Supplier Relationship Management
- E-Business
- Our payment terms and practices
- How to become a NATS supplier
- Building Business Relationships Policy Booklet
Supply Chain Strategy
Our top level strategy is "Building business relationships with internal customers, stakeholders and external suppliers to deliver service, value and innovation in support of NATS business objectives".
Our 5 strategic objectives are:
- Optimise our Supply Chain Processes
- Develop our People
- Engage our Internal Customers and Stakeholders
- Engage our Suppliers in delivering high performance and innovation
- Maximise Value through the Supply Chain
Supplier Relationship Management
NATS manages its key suppliers utilising a formal Supplier Relationship Management process. The essential foundations of the process are:
- The performance measurement of Suppliers utilising both supplier- specific KPIs and a standard, generic, Supplier Performance Measurement toolkit;
- The joint development with those suppliers of “Improvement Plans” primarily aimed at continuously improving the performance of the Supplier over time but also looking to enhance our own performance;
- Optimising the processes by which we and the Supplier interact;
- The formal evaluation of the relationship (past, present and future) via an “Executive Review” programme.
E-Business
NATS uses E-business systems to reduce transaction time and costs wherever possible. We have been using an electronic e-sourcing process since 2005 and have chosen a well recognised platform which provides strategic web based e-tendering/e-sourcing functionality. The use of the tool removes the reliance on large volumes of paper during the process and allows a unified approach to the process. In doing this it streamlines the process for supplier and buyer whilst providing an auditable trail. We also utilise online booking services and supplier websites for ordering a range of products and services.
Our Payment Terms and Practices
Payment terms will be agreed with suppliers prior to contract award. These terms will be included within the official purchase order documentation.We create a unique Purchase Order for all ordered goods or services. Our supplier should be in receipt of a valid Purchase Order number before providing the goods and services. Failure to comply will result in non-payment.
A purchase order is not required where payment has been made using a purchasing card.
It is our policy to pay all suppliers in accordance with agreed terms. We require:
- Accurate and timely invoices
- A valid Purchase Order number
Suppliers should send invoices to the Scottish Accounting Unit at:
NATS Limited
Osborne House
1-5 Osborne Terrace
Edinburgh
EH12 5HG
We will inform suppliers promptly when invoices are contested. Any complaints from suppliers regarding non payment will be dealt with in an effective and timely manner.
