This session will use real-world case studies to help demonstrate strategies to develop creative solutions when working with cost-prohibitive ingredients, mitigate long lead times and communicate the operational realities to your customers. Attendees will learn the most effective way to engage with a factory and how to address pricing, lead time, and plant audit. How to develop the best strategies for negotiating a contract, accounting for important factors such as line loss and indemnification will also be addressed. Attendees will leave with an understanding of how to properly vet a co-packer, keeping in mind elements like certification levels, processing requirements and MOQs.