An Introduction to Supply Chain Management

Learn about:

• The Importance Of Supply Chain Management

• What To Watch While Consumers Are Panic Buying

• How To Implement Supply Chain Management

• Supply Chain Management And Walmart

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Supply Chain Management (SCM) is the organized planning and control of how products get from the manufacturers to the customers. It involves choosing the right suppliers, making sure things are priced correctly, and managing the overall flow of goods to ensure they reach the people who want to buy them. Essentially, supply chain management is the administration and control of the movement of goods between companies and end customers. 

These activities can involve storing and transporting inventory or supplies, monitoring day-to-day activities, the preparation behind these processes, and blending these different components throughout the supply chain.

Why Supply Chain Management is Important

SCM performance directly impacts an organization's general performance. In terms of cost-effectiveness, estimates show that businesses with extended global supply chains have between 80% and 90% of their costs involved in their supply chains. Also, as companies send their work to other countries (offshoring), the whole process becomes more complex. The rise of multi-channel distribution and the global marketplace highlight the importance of managing the SCM process well in the modern economy, especially in the retail space. 

With rising consumer demand, retailers are under pressure to stock the merchandise in demand or lose consumers to another who can fulfill the same demand. In the case of online shopping, consumers expect excellent service, on-time supply, and convenient return procedures for unacceptable items. Most manufacturers depend on just-in-time (JIT) manufacturing policies. With JIT, constituents must be delivered not only in the nick of time but in the precise amount as demanded.

Omnichannel retailers must discover the best way to blend the occasionally disputing demand between offline stores and online retail. Businesses need flexible and adjustable supply chains that respond quickly. This makes it easy to cash in on the opportunities arising from ever-evolving consumer demands.

Five Key Metrics for Monitoring the Impact of Panic Buying on your Supply Chain

1. Replenishable Instock Percentage: Replenishable instock shows the percentage of stores that currently have inventory vs. stores that should have inventory. In general, suppliers should try to keep this above the 98.5% goal. Due to panic buying and increased demand, it is easy for CPGs to slip below this goal.

2. Forecast and Forecast Variance: To keep up with the current volatility, retailers are tweaking the "event forecast" frequently. It's a good idea to check your forecast multiple times throughout the week.

3. Supply Plan: The Supply Plan metric provides Walmart's best guess on how many units it expects to order from a supplier. If this isn't something you normally utilize, this is a great time to start as it will help you plan for increased demand. Don't get surprised by an order for 10,000 units when Walmart normally orders only 1,000 per week.

4. Deductions due to Partial POs: Walmart deductions can quickly add up and become overwhelming. While supply is low, CPGs will want to make sure they are not sending partial Purchase Orders while invoicing Walmart for the full PO amount. As a best practice, it is recommended that you request an updated PO for the amount you are currently able to fill.

5. Prepaid on Time Percentage and In Full: If your supply chain struggles to keep up with orders, it's a good idea to pay extra attention to your OTIF scores. If you're not able to keep up with demand, be sure that you are editing or canceling PO lines with the correct reason codes to avoid OTIF accountability.

Implementation of Supply Chain Management

The economic environment of the 21st century is extremely aggressive, with sleek, high-efficiency supply chains often redefining the standards of success, average performances, and failures. Large- and mid-sized businesses are often pitted against small and active new ventures, making the implementation of supply chain management systems more crucial. 

The supply chain at Walmart offers three examples of advanced technologies implemented by the company to address certain issues.

• Internet of "sensors" and machine-vision cameras to make loading highly precise for outgoing trailers at Walmart distributing units

• Real-time (or live) tracking of trailers to know the accurate time of arrivals to the depots' cargo area, enabling stores to time their backroom labor well

• Block-chain technology for keener tracing of produce and aid recalls

 Walmart follows these directives at the time of implementing any new technology:

• Functions with an aim for zero-loss

• Makes things simple for the user

• Maintains consistent processes unless a change is unavoidable

• Maintains transparency and commitments 

• Keeps copies of data to a bare minimum

• Enhances operational efficiency with the help of mobility and automation 

Walmart has implemented new technology in order to make its supply chain more efficient and improve its performance, which equates to a reduction in operational costs. 

Companies that deal with the transportation, storage, or distribution of physical goods can look to the optimization of their supply chain as a seemingly never-ending area of potential improvement.

Your Supply Chain Simplified

SupplyPike helps suppliers maximize their cash flow and prevent retailer fines by providing oversight and insight into supply chain efficiency. Fight deductions, meet compliance goals, and analyze root causes with our software for Walmart, Amazon, Target, and Kroger.

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