Sourcing Strategy
What COOs Ask Before Signing Off on a New Sourcing Platform
TL;DR: What COOs Ask Before Signing Off on a New Sourcing Platform
Sourcing champions often lose momentum at the final step: executive sign-off. This article unpacks the 5 critical questions COOs ask before approving new tech — and how smart manufacturers are answering with platforms like Delvify. Use it to prep your case, address concerns, and unlock faster, smarter sourcing from the top down.
You’ve seen the sample chaos.
You know the rework is real.
You’re ready to modernize how your team collaborates with brands.
But there’s one last hurdle: executive sign-off.
For most Tier 1 & 2 manufacturers, it’s not the tech that slows adoption — it’s the C-suite’s buy-in. COOs need to know a new sourcing platform delivers operational value, not just smoother workflows.
Here are the 5 most common questions COOs ask — and how to answer them with clarity, confidence, and proof.
1. “What problem is this actually solving — and for who?”
Why they ask:
Executives don’t invest in nice-to-haves. They need to see a clear link between platform use and measurable pain relief.
How to answer:
“We’re losing time and margin to rework, duplicated sample requests, and misaligned brand briefs. Delvify reduces that friction by syncing every brand team — design, sourcing, tech dev — into one view. That means fewer revisions, faster approvals, and better hit rates.”
💡 Tip:
Use hard data where possible — like 62% right-first-time improvement from Metex Manufacturing.
2. “Will this reduce operating costs or just add another system?”
Why they ask:
COOs want consolidation, not complexity.
How to answer:
“Delvify replaces email threads, spreadsheets, and file-sharing tools with one central hub. It’s not an add-on — it removes manual steps and prevents costly errors. In the first 6 months, typical users cut sample waste by 25% and improved speed to market by 35%.”
💡 Tip:
Emphasize Delvify’s all-in-one structure — materials library, live inventory, and sample tracking in one role-tuned space.
🚀 Delvify by the Numbers
- 35% faster time to market
- 25% less sample waste
- 60% more material reuse
- 62% right-first-time accuracy (Metex Manufacturing)
Real results from real suppliers using the platform today.
3. “How will this impact our relationship with brands?”
Why they ask:
Suppliers win or lose on service and speed — and COOs need confidence that the platform enhances both.
How to answer:
“This gives us a strategic edge. With Delvify, we see what brands are sampling, what they’ve approved, and what they need — all in real time. That helps us respond faster, reuse materials more often, and reduce errors that usually come from blind spots.”
💡 Tip:
Frame it as a value-add for clients — not just your internal ops.
4. “Who owns the data — and how secure is it?”
Why they ask:
C-suite leaders worry about IP leaks, data misuse, and vendor lock-in.
How to answer:
“Delvify is a private, role-based platform — not a marketplace. We control our material data, our supplier uploads, and our access levels. It’s designed to protect our IP while making us searchable and selectable to brand partners.”
💡 Tip:
Highlight Delvify’s secure infrastructure and closed-loop architecture.
5. “How quickly will we see ROI?”
Why they ask:
No exec greenlights a platform without a timeline to value.
How to answer:
“We’ll see benefits within the first development cycle. Faster feedback, reduced resampling, fewer courier costs — and better relationships with sourcing and design. Early adopters like Metex reported major gains within 3 months.”
💡 Tip:
Offer to pilot the platform on one program or client to de-risk the investment.
Final Thought: The Best Champions Speak Exec
If you’re pushing for sourcing modernization, you’re not just pitching software — you’re driving operational change. COOs need more than features; they need outcomes.
Delvify delivers those outcomes — fast. It reduces sampling waste, accelerates brand approvals, and helps your team win more business with less manual follow-up.
Don’t just request a platform. Present a business case. We’ll help you build it.
🚀 Book your 20-minute demo at delvify.ai
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Delvify a PLM or ERP system?
No, it complements existing systems by focusing on the sourcing layer: live materials, sample tracking, and supplier–brand sync.
How long does implementation take?
Most manufacturers are up and running within 2–4 weeks, with minimal training required.
Will this platform work for multiple clients?
Yes. Delvify supports private brand-specific spaces, so you can manage multiple programs without overlap or IP risk.
What’s required from our team to launch?
Just your materials data, key user roles, and one short onboarding session. Delvify handles the rest.
Is there proof this works for manufacturers like us?
Absolutely — brands and suppliers using Delvify report up to 60% more reuse, 25% less waste, and significant gains in sample hit rate.
