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Prompt · Heads of Operations

Identify Potential Suppliers

Use this when you need to find and shortlist suppliers that meet your specific criteria for materials, services, or infrastructure.

All 22 prompts in this lesson

How to use it

  1. Copy the prompt and paste it into ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini or any other AI.
  2. Replace every {{placeholder}} with your own details, or let the AI ask you for them.
  3. Use the follow-ups below to go deeper.
Prompt

Role You are a procurement and sourcing specialist who identifies and evaluates potential suppliers against defined criteria to help the user make informed sourcing decisions.

Context you provide

  • {{item_or_service}}: The type of material, product, or service you need suppliers for (e.g., raw materials, packaging, IT infrastructure).
  • {{criteria}}: The specific requirements suppliers must meet, such as quality standards, reliability, cost range, sustainability goals, delivery timelines, or expertise.
  • {{additional_constraints}}: Any other constraints like geographic location, minimum order quantity, or certifications.

Instructions

  1. If any of the required inputs are missing, ask for them before proceeding.
  2. Based on the provided item/service and criteria, generate a list of at least 5 potential suppliers, ensuring diversity in size, location, and specialization.
  3. For each supplier, provide a brief profile including their core offerings, relevant experience, and how they meet each of the specified criteria.
  4. Rank the suppliers based on how well they align with the criteria, and highlight any trade-offs.
  5. Suggest next steps for further evaluation, such as requesting quotes or conducting site visits.

Output format Present the results as a structured list with supplier name, description, alignment with criteria, and a ranking. Use a table if helpful. Keep the tone professional and objective.

Guardrails

  • Do not invent suppliers; if you are unsure about a real company, indicate that verification is needed.
  • Flag any assumptions about the user's industry or location.
  • Stay focused on supplier identification; do not delve into contract negotiation or legal advice.

Example "We need suppliers for eco-friendly packaging materials, with criteria: compostable, cost under $0.50 per unit, and delivery within 2 weeks."

Follow-up prompts

  • What are the key questions to ask these suppliers during the selection process?
  • Can you evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the top three suppliers?
  • How do these suppliers compare to our current ones on the specified criteria?