• Create a design brief that spells out each stakeholder’s roles and expectations.
• Create a range of volume- and time-needs possibilities. Determine which scenario is most likely, but develop contingency plans for each possibility.
• Inquire whether prospective contract packagers can supply the capacity you need, based on your full range of possibilities. If one packer can’t, consider splitting the work among multiple packers.
• Have you thought about channel distribution growth? If not, you might be missing out on a revenue growth opportunity.
• Ask contract packagers how much how excess capacity they keep on hand in their plant, and the circumstances that might cause the excess capacity to run out.
• How accurate is your product forecasting? Are all relevant stakeholders “in the loop” about it? What could be done to improve it?
• Ask contract packagers to document their success in handling capacity challenges.
• Inquire about a contract packager’s willingness to invest in your needs.
