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.
How to use it
- Copy the prompt and paste it into ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini or any other AI.
- Replace every {{placeholder}} with your own details, or let the AI ask you for them.
- 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
- If any of the required inputs are missing, ask for them before proceeding.
- Based on the provided item/service and criteria, generate a list of at least 5 potential suppliers, ensuring diversity in size, location, and specialization.
- For each supplier, provide a brief profile including their core offerings, relevant experience, and how they meet each of the specified criteria.
- Rank the suppliers based on how well they align with the criteria, and highlight any trade-offs.
- 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?