RFI
RFI (Request for Information) is a standard business document used in purchasing and supply chain. It's like a detailed questionnaire that companies send to potential suppliers to gather information about their products, services, and capabilities. Think of it as the first step in finding the right supplier – similar to how you might research different products before making a big purchase. RFIs are different from RFPs (Request for Proposals) or RFQs (Request for Quotes) because they focus on collecting information rather than getting specific prices or proposals.
Examples in Resumes
Managed RFI process for evaluating 20+ potential suppliers in Asia-Pacific region
Created and distributed RFI documents to assess vendor capabilities for new manufacturing equipment
Led cross-functional team in developing RFI criteria for logistics service provider selection
Typical job title: "Supply Chain Managers"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Supply Chain Managers
Professional Organizations
Online Communities
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How do you structure an RFI process for a complex global sourcing project?
Expected Answer: Should discuss creating clear evaluation criteria, involving stakeholders from different departments, considering cultural differences in different regions, and methods for efficiently analyzing responses from multiple suppliers.
Q: How do you use RFI results to develop a sourcing strategy?
Expected Answer: Should explain how to analyze RFI responses to shortlist suppliers, identify market capabilities, and use the information to shape subsequent RFP or RFQ processes.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What key elements do you include in an RFI document?
Expected Answer: Should mention supplier background information, technical capabilities, quality certifications, financial stability, reference requirements, and capacity information.
Q: How do you evaluate RFI responses effectively?
Expected Answer: Should discuss creating scoring criteria, using comparison matrices, involving subject matter experts, and documenting the evaluation process.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What is the difference between an RFI, RFP, and RFQ?
Expected Answer: Should explain that RFI is for gathering information, RFP for detailed proposals, and RFQ for specific pricing quotes, and when each is typically used.
Q: How do you ensure all necessary information is collected in an RFI?
Expected Answer: Should discuss working with stakeholders to identify requirements, using templates, and checking for completeness of supplier responses.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic understanding of RFI process
- Ability to use RFI templates
- Basic supplier communication
- Documentation management
Mid (2-5 years)
- Creating custom RFI documents
- Supplier evaluation and scoring
- Stakeholder management
- Market analysis
Senior (5+ years)
- Global sourcing strategy
- Complex supplier evaluation
- Cross-functional team leadership
- Strategic decision-making
Red Flags to Watch For
- No understanding of basic procurement processes
- Poor communication skills
- Lack of experience with supplier evaluation
- No knowledge of compliance and risk management
- Unable to explain difference between RFI, RFP, and RFQ
Related Terms
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