By the time February rolls around, most manufacturers have gotten through the new year ramp-up and are settling into slower cycles. Production takes a hit after the holidays, demand can soften, and it’s not uncommon for purchasing and operations to feel scattered. Delays from vendors, unused inventory, and half-finished initiatives from Q4 often show up now. It’s a time when the usual rhythm shifts, and not every team knows what to focus on next. This is where fractional CPO