Unmasking the Hidden Burden in Supply Chain Operations!

In the realm of business, the Supply Chain Workload Iceberg stands as a colossal yet often overlooked force, capable of making or breaking a company's success and survival. This hidden giant encompasses a vast array of tasks that, while not immediately apparent, are integral to the smooth operation of any business.

At the heart of this intricate network lies a series of processes that ensure the timely and accurate delivery of products to customers. These processes, while diverse, are interconnected and form the backbone of the Supply Chain.

Customer Order Commitment

This critical phase involves determining and committing to when an order will be shipped and delivered. Factors such as inventory availability, delivery lead times, distribution centre/warehouse lead times/workload, manufacturing centre lead times/workload, open orders and prior commitments, customer demand plans, order backlog, supply plans, payment confirmation, fraudulent order checking, and RMA processing all play a significant role.

Warehouse Order Fulfillment

Warehouse Order Fulfillment is another crucial aspect of the Supply Chain. It requires a series of business processes to have occurred in managing the warehouse, enabling the completion of orders. These processes include storage/put away, retrieval, sorting, labelling, picking, packing, and outbound truck scheduling/loading.

New Supplier and Materials Set Up

The onboarding of new suppliers is another complex process within the Supply Chain. Tasks such as sourcing research, supplier identification, quotation, risk assessment, selection, negotiating terms and conditions, contracting, sample orders and approval, parameter and data entry, purchase order management, auditing, performance tracking/management, ongoing negotiations, supplier relationship management, and process and expenditure approvals are all part of this process.

Quality Inspection, Returns Receipt, and Receiving

Quality inspection ensures that products meet the required standards before they are distributed. Returns receipt, checking, storage, and receiving are also essential steps in the Supply Chain, dealing with products that need to be returned or exchanged.

The Supply Chain's responsibilities reach far and wide, touching virtually every business process and functional area in an organisation. It is a strategic function of the highest value, deserving of our utmost attention and respect. Understanding the intricacies of the Supply Chain Workload Iceberg is the first step towards optimising this vital aspect of business operations.