There are a lot of different jobs that are part of getting a product from the manufacturer to the end customer. Each job is essential to running a smooth business without going broke. Supply chain planning is a big part of this process and encompasses many of the different positions needed. One person may have responsibilities in different positions, but each function is important.
Purchasing is a primary function for any business. If you're just selling products or making them, this position is critical to many parts of the business. The factory will need the materials to make the product, assemblers will need the parts to put it together, and customer service will need their tools in place to do their jobs well.
If you manufacture the product, you will need raw materials. If you assemble premade products, you need to be sure they are available as well. If the products cannot be made or put together, they cannot be sold and shipped. This part of the process is the second of the critical functions.
Managing inventory ensures you know how much you have. It seems trivial, but it is also critical. If you sell too many products and cannot ship them, you have to refund the money. This is lost money and will develop a bad reputation. Those customers may not come back and may prevent others from becoming customers. Inventory needs to be counted both manually and digitally at least monthly to keep up with the changing numbers. The manual count ensures the tracking system is keeping an accurate count.
The warehouse manager works with the inventory. Not only will they know how much of anything they have, but will be able to easily locate it. Much like a store knows which shelves products are on, the warehouse staff will know the same information about raw materials and parts for assembly. This will get the needed materials to the factory quickly and efficiently, saving time and money.
Transportation is a key function. If you can ship the product through a regular company, you need to be able to track each shipment. For those companies that have their own transportation, they will need to know when and where each truck is and needs to be. Even if your employees are not the ones driving, you still need a shipping and transportation manager to make sure the products get to their destination.
Customer service representatives are the voice of the company. These staff members will be able to use the tracking and ordering system to ensure the customer where their product is in the process. Without this part of the staff in place, those calls will go directly to the other positions and prevent them from doing their jobs.
Having someone do demand planning will make sure you are not overspending or running out of inventory. This person is required to analyze sales trends and other aspects of the business. Spending too much on a product that is moving slowly removes funds for other products and business needs. There is a fine balance that needs to be maintained so there is enough product to sell without having too much on hand, which costs money.
There are many steps in getting a product to the customer. Each step requires someone, even if it is the same person, to manage different functions that are all critical to the balance the business needs to maintain. If one piece is missing, the product can run out and sales can be lost.
Purchasing is a primary function for any business. If you're just selling products or making them, this position is critical to many parts of the business. The factory will need the materials to make the product, assemblers will need the parts to put it together, and customer service will need their tools in place to do their jobs well.
If you manufacture the product, you will need raw materials. If you assemble premade products, you need to be sure they are available as well. If the products cannot be made or put together, they cannot be sold and shipped. This part of the process is the second of the critical functions.
Managing inventory ensures you know how much you have. It seems trivial, but it is also critical. If you sell too many products and cannot ship them, you have to refund the money. This is lost money and will develop a bad reputation. Those customers may not come back and may prevent others from becoming customers. Inventory needs to be counted both manually and digitally at least monthly to keep up with the changing numbers. The manual count ensures the tracking system is keeping an accurate count.
The warehouse manager works with the inventory. Not only will they know how much of anything they have, but will be able to easily locate it. Much like a store knows which shelves products are on, the warehouse staff will know the same information about raw materials and parts for assembly. This will get the needed materials to the factory quickly and efficiently, saving time and money.
Transportation is a key function. If you can ship the product through a regular company, you need to be able to track each shipment. For those companies that have their own transportation, they will need to know when and where each truck is and needs to be. Even if your employees are not the ones driving, you still need a shipping and transportation manager to make sure the products get to their destination.
Customer service representatives are the voice of the company. These staff members will be able to use the tracking and ordering system to ensure the customer where their product is in the process. Without this part of the staff in place, those calls will go directly to the other positions and prevent them from doing their jobs.
Having someone do demand planning will make sure you are not overspending or running out of inventory. This person is required to analyze sales trends and other aspects of the business. Spending too much on a product that is moving slowly removes funds for other products and business needs. There is a fine balance that needs to be maintained so there is enough product to sell without having too much on hand, which costs money.
There are many steps in getting a product to the customer. Each step requires someone, even if it is the same person, to manage different functions that are all critical to the balance the business needs to maintain. If one piece is missing, the product can run out and sales can be lost.
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You can find a summary of the advantages you get when you use professional supply chain planning services at http://www.adexa.com/solutions/supply-chain-planning right now.
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