Introduction to Supply Chain Management
Supply chain management is the centralized management of the flow of goods and services, including all processes that transform raw materials into final products. It involves actively streamlining a business’s supply-side activities to maximize customer value and gain a competitive advantage in the marketplace.
Companies may reduce unnecessary expenditures and deliver goods to customers more quickly and effectively by optimizing the supply chain management process. Effective supply chain management keeps businesses out of the news and away from costly recalls and legal actions.
How Supply Chain Management (SCM) Works
Suppliers attempt to design and operate supply chain management processes that are as practical and cost-effective as feasible through supply chain management (SCM). Production, product development, and the information systems required to manage these activities are all covered by supply chains.
SCM often aims to centrally coordinate or link a product’s manufacturing, shipment, and distribution. Companies can save unnecessary expenses and expedite the delivery of goods to customers by optimizing the supply chain. Internal inventories, internal production, internal distribution, internal sales, and the inventories of firm vendors are all closely monitored to achieve this with absolute supply chain risk management.
The foundation of SCM is the notion that almost all products sold are the result of the efforts of numerous companies connected by a supply chain. Even though supply chains have been around for a very long time, most businesses have only recently recognized the value and importance of supply chain management could contribute to their operations.
Why is supply chain management important?
Supply chain management is important because it can aid in achieving a number of corporate goals. Controlling production procedures, for example, can enhance product quality while lowering the likelihood of recalls and legal action and assisting in developing a powerful consumer brand.
Control over shipping processes can also improve customer service by preventing expensive shortages or periods of inventory overproduction. Overall, supply chain management gives businesses a number of chances to increase their profit margins, and it is especially crucial for big, global businesses.
Type of Supply Chain Management
The way supply chain management is implemented varies depending on the company. Each business’s SCM process is unique due to its specific objectives, limitations, and advantages. A corporation can use the guidance of an expert industrial engineering consultant to select one of six major models to direct its supply chain management procedures smoothly and effectively.
1. Continuous Flow Model
The continuous flow model, one of the more established supply chain strategies, works best for developed sectors. The continuous flow model assumes that a producer consistently produces the same good and that customer demand will be relatively stable.
2. Agile Model
This model works best for businesses that provide products that customers order or have unexpected demand. This approach places emphasis on adaptability because a business may have a particular requirement at any given time and must be ready to change course accordingly.
3. Fast Model
This model places emphasis on a product’s rapid turnover due to its brief life cycle. A corporation uses the rapid chain model to take advantage of a trend, produce products quickly, and ensure the product is completely sold before the trend ends.
4. Flexible Model
Businesses that are touched by seasonality do well using the flexible model. During the busiest times of the year, certain businesses may have very high demand requirements and very low volume requirements. A flexible supply chain management strategy ensures that production may quickly increase or decrease.
5. Efficient Model
Businesses that compete in sectors with extremely slim profit margins may try to gain an edge by optimizing their supply chain management procedures. This entails making the best use of gear and equipment and effectively managing inventories and processing orders.
6. Custom Model
A corporation can always turn to a custom model if one of the aforementioned models doesn’t work for its requirements. This is frequently the case for highly specialized sectors with demanding technical standards, like an automobile factory.
CSA Engineering has one of the top industrial engineering consultants with high technical expertise and query-solving skills to systematically guide your business in the supply change management process.
FAQs Related to Supply Chain Management
1. What is supply chain management?
Supply chain management (SCM) controls the flow of goods and services between organizations and locations, including all procedures that convert raw materials into finished commodities. The movement and storage of raw materials, inventories for work-in-progress, finished goods, and the complete order fulfillment process from the point of origin to the site of consumption can all be included in this.
2. What are the 5 basic steps of supply chain management?
Planning, Sourcing, Manufacturing, Delivering, and Returns are the five basic steps of supply change management.
3. What is the main role of supply chain management?
The role of supply chain management is to ensure that customers’ demand is met with the supply of the products.
4. What are the four 4 stages of supply chains?
The four stages of supply chains are Integration, Operations, Purchasing, and Distribution.