In this article, learn about Publix’s Supply Chain Management policies, including:
Warehouse shipping and delivery guidelines
Pallet specifications
Direct store delivery requirements
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Publix outlines its expectations for supply chain management in its Supplier Policies and Guidelines. This document, along with Publix’s supplier portal (Business Connection), help suppliers stay in compliance and avoid fines and chargebacks.
Within the Supply Chain Management section, Publix outlines its Warehouse Delivery Guidelines, how to schedule delivery appointments, delivery to distribution centers, pallet requirements, and policies for Direct Store Delivery (DSD).
In Supplier Policies and Guidelines, Publix lays out its general expectations for order management, generation, and late deliveries, among other things.
Publix expects suppliers to deliver the right products completely, accurately, and on time. Publix determines how much of a product to order in several different ways:
Publix’s Automated Replenishment System is a demand planning tool used for inventory management and control. It forecasts inventory based on various factors, such as volume.
Manual order generation is Publix’s responsibility and is typically handled through the logistics department.
Supplier order generation is typically DSD, which is discussed in more detail below, under the Direct Store Delivery with Publix section.
When Publix generates the order, it will also set the due date, but it will work with the supplier regarding how much lead time is necessary for the product. All lead times must be communicated to Publix through the Vendor Maintenance portion of the supplier portal.
Publix’s requires that suppliers communicate lead times:
Via the Vendor Maintenance portion of Business Connection,
Using calendar days rather than business days.
If a supplier fails to communicate their lead times, Publix may reduce or terminate business with that supplier. Suppliers should evaluate their lead times occasionally to ensure they are neither unnecessarily long nor too short. Lead times that are too short may lead to Publix carrying less inventory.
Order lead times are important for Publix to accurately determine how much of a product needs to be ordered.
In addition to lead times, other supply chain management expectations are:
Suppliers must utilize EDI to generate order notifications.
Publix can cancel a delivery if it is not received on time and/or correctly.
Backorders will be refused upon delivery by Publix, even if they were shipped via a valid PO.
Should a product become unavailable, suppliers should contact their Primary Publix contact immediately.
Ultimately, Publix’s primary expectations of suppliers are that orders are fulfilled completely, accurately, and on time. Publix measures these standards via the percentage of product cases received against the number ordered. This calculation provides Publix with its “order fill rate.”
Related Reading: Finance and Accounting Guidelines at Publix
Publix Warehouse Delivery Guidelines
Publix’s warehouse delivery guidelines refer to how products and goods are transported through the supply chain.
The responsibility of shipping products falls to the supplier, and Publix provides suppliers with a scorecard that monitors how various products are performing. Suppliers should strive for positive scorecard results by understanding how each KPI (and other factors) affects the overall score.
Suppliers must provide pick-up allowance rates if they ship their product to Publix via a Publix distribution center. Suppliers must do this by using the Publix Transportation/Warehouse Information Form. Publix will then review this information and decide whether a supplier may be eligible for the Publix Managed Inbound Freight Program.
When it comes to warehouse delivery, the following categories are paramount to suppliers staying compliant with Publix:
Perishable product specifications: Fresh produce falls under the standards set by PACA, and fresh meat falls under USDA standards. Publix’s standards may be more stringent for fresh meat and produce. Suppliers are required to adhere to both USDA and PACA standards as well as Publix standards.
Product time and temperature control: Ensuring that products remain at or under the required refrigeration temperature when shipping is imperative. Suppliers can ensure temperatures are maintained correctly by reviewing the Carrier’s processes for cooling and temperature control.
Product transportation specifications: Any product shipped outside Publix’s transportation guidelines may be rejected.
Product handling: All products must be handled in such a way as to prevent inefficiencies, damage, and waste. Publix may reject damaged products.
Product storage: Storage conditions must be appropriate to the product type, including temperature, cleanliness, etc.
Loading: Loading must be done under a covered bay.
Indemnity: Publix is not liable for rejected products.
Publix Scheduling Delivery
Suppliers using prepaid freight with Publix must ensure that product flows easily and efficiently in and out of Publix’s Distribution Centers or Manufacturing Facilities. Publix suppliers can manage prepaid freight by effectively scheduling delivery times.
The following steps form the guidelines for suppliers to do so:
Appointment scheduling system: The Publix Appointment Scheduling System (PASS) is where suppliers can email the Carrier Appointment Form.
Carrier Appointment Form: Suppliers must use the Carrier Appointment Form and send it via email for any scheduling or rescheduling. The Carrier Appointment Form must have every section filled out, the supplier must not alter any aspect of the form, and all information must be spelled correctly. The following information must be included on the form:
- Vendor name
- PO number
- Zip code
- Case count
Appointment request timing: All delivery appointments must be made at least 48 hours in advance of the due date and must be made through Publix’s Corporate Transportation Department.
Submitting the request: Requests must be emailed to Traffic.Appointments2@publix.com. The email should only contain attachments, and nothing should be written in the body of the email. Everything must be in plain text.
Receiving the delivery appointment information: The appointment request reply/confirmation will be emailed to the return email supplied by the supplier and is usually received within 2 hours. Appointment times will be listed in military time.
Obtaining directions to Publix DC: Suppliers should call the Help Line for assistance in finding Publix DCs or Manufacturing Facilities.
Rescheduling appointments should adhere to the same rules as the original appointment scheduling.
Publix Delivery to DC
When the product is received at the DC or Manufacturing Facility, suppliers must ensure that the following guidelines are followed:
On-time delivery: This is the most important guideline for shipping with Publix. All deliveries are expected to be on time.
Case weight limits: Due to safety concerns, Publix requires that cases not weigh more than 40 pounds.
Delivery requirements for frozen food DCs: Frozen food DCs function differently than other DCs, and there are additional pallet specifications for frozen foods.
Delivery documents: Every shipment to a Publix DC must include an itemized Bill of Lading (BOL).
Any product shipped outside of Publix’s requirements may be rejected upon delivery.
Publix Pallet Policies
Pallets are one of the most important parts of shipping products, and just like any retailer, Publix has requirements and specifications for the pallets suppliers use.
Pallets must be in good condition, and inbound pallets must be 48” by 40” with 4-way entry. Any pallet with damage, cracks, or missing pieces is considered a “bad pallet,” and Publix will not accept it. Should products be damaged or shift due to a bad pallet, the supplier will be responsible for the cost of restacking the pallet.
Additionally, Publix has a rental pallet program for suppliers which ensures that suppliers are using pallets that adhere to Publix’s specifications. Publix approves of CHEP, PECO, and iGPS pallet rental companies.
Direct Store Delivery with Publix
Suppliers who ship products directly to a Publix store, rather than through a DC, utilize Direct Store Delivery (DSD). Suppliers who use DSD with Publix must adhere to the following guidelines:
Delivery and service schedules: Suppliers must submit a written proposal for delivery and service. Automated Replenishment (AR) DSD suppliers must upload their schedules to the Business Connection portal.
Inventory levels: Suppliers are expected to maintain an appropriate amount of inventory to avoid backstock and out-of-stocks.
Product rotation/managing shrink: Suppliers, except for non-full-service suppliers, are expected to manage and rotate inventory and stock in a timely manner.
Product guarantee: Until the customer purchases the product, it is guaranteed 100% by DSD suppliers.
Electronic receiving: DSD suppliers are expected to use electronic receiving.
NEX: This is when the supplier’s invoice is sent to Publix.
DEX: The supplier creates the invoice via a hand-held terminal device. This is also called the Direct Exchange receiving method.
Delivery documents: DEX is required documentation that the supplier must provide.
Rejection of products: Publix may reject any damaged products, even if the damage occurred in a traffic accident.
Related Reading: The Benefits of Direct-to-Store Delivery
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