Influence of Supplier Development Practices on Procurement Performance in Food and Beverage Manufacturing Firms in Nakuru East Sub- County, Kenya

The purpose of this study therefore was to establish the influence of supplier development practices on procurement performance of food and beverage manufacturing firms in Nakuru East Sub-County, Kenya. The study specifically sought to establish the influence of supplier training, supplier appraisal, supplier partnership and supplier financial support on procurement performance. The study was anchored on two theories, namely: Human capital Theory and Social Exchange Theory. A survey research design was employed since it permits gathering of data from the respondents in natural settings. The study targeted all procurement staff and accountants in the food and beverage manufacturing firms in Nakuru East Sub-county since they are individually and collectively involved in all the procurement decisions in their respective manufacturing firms. The researcher concluded that, supplier training enhances efficiency and thus enabling the firms to report very few legal challenges in the procurement system. The study concluded that, food and beverage manufacturing firms in Nakuru East sub- County, Kenya should offer financial support to suppliers and also pay suppliers within the shortest time possible. Further studies may also be conducted to relate supplier evaluation and procurement performance in other manufacturing firms