SupplyChainToday.com

Supply Chain Training and Learning Resources.

Supply chain management is an integrated process that requires a strategic and collaborative approach. By focusing on demand forecasting, supplier relationships, inventory management, and continuous improvement, you can build a responsive, efficient, and resilient supply chain. Always stay ahead by integrating technology and optimizing operations.

Greater Detail, Cheat Sheet Expanded:

1. Understand Key Supply Chain Components

  • Supply Chain: The network of organizations, people, activities, information, and resources involved in the production and distribution of goods or services.
  • Core Functions: Procurement, Production, Inventory Management, Distribution, and Customer Service.
  • Key Metrics: Lead time, order cycle time, fill rate, inventory turnover, and on-time delivery.

2. Demand Forecasting and Planning

  • Forecasting Methods: Time-series analysis, causal models, and qualitative techniques.
  • Demand Planning: Align demand forecasts with production and inventory planning.
  • Collaborative Forecasting: Involve key stakeholders (suppliers, sales, and customers) to improve forecast accuracy.
  • Use Technology: Implement forecasting software (e.g., SAP, Oracle, or demand planning tools).

3. Supplier Relationship Management (SRM)

  • Supplier Selection: Criteria include price, quality, lead time, reliability, and strategic alignment.
  • Supplier Collaboration: Build long-term partnerships, share demand forecasts, and collaborate on continuous improvement.
  • Risk Management: Assess supplier risk for geopolitical, financial, or natural disasters.
  • Performance Metrics: Monitor supplier performance through KPIs like on-time delivery, quality defects, and cost savings.

4. Inventory Management and Optimization

  • Inventory Types: Raw materials, work-in-progress (WIP), and finished goods.
  • Key Techniques: Just-in-Time (JIT), Economic Order Quantity (EOQ), and Safety Stock management.
  • Inventory Turnover: Measure how often inventory is sold and replaced over a period.
  • ABC Classification: Categorize inventory based on value and frequency of use (A = high value, frequent use; C = low value, infrequent use).

5. Manufacturing and Production Management

  • Lean Manufacturing: Minimize waste while ensuring quality and efficiency in production.
  • Capacity Planning: Ensure the facility can meet production demand without overburdening resources.
  • Production Scheduling: Optimize production processes and timelines to reduce lead times and inventory.
  • Quality Control: Implement regular quality checks and process audits to maintain product standards.

6. Logistics and Transportation Management

  • Modes of Transportation: Air, sea, rail, road – choose based on cost, speed, and reliability.
  • Transportation Optimization: Consolidate shipments, optimize routes, and negotiate rates with carriers.
  • Last-Mile Delivery: Focus on efficient and cost-effective methods for delivering goods to customers.
  • Track Shipments: Use GPS, RFID, or transportation management systems (TMS) to track and manage shipments.

7. Warehouse and Distribution Center Operation

  • Warehouse Layout: Optimize storage space and streamline material handling processes.
  • Picking Methods: Choose between order picking, batch picking, or zone picking based on order volume.
  • Automation: Implement Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) and robotics to improve efficiency.
  • Inventory Accuracy: Conduct regular cycle counts and full physical inventory checks to minimize discrepancies.

8. Technology Integration

  • Supply Chain Software: Implement ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle) and specialized tools like WMS (Warehouse Management System) and TMS (Transportation Management System).
  • Data Analytics: Use data to identify inefficiencies, predict demand, and optimize operations.
  • Blockchain: Enhance transparency and traceability in the supply chain.
  • IoT and RFID: Track goods and inventory in real time, improving visibility across the supply chain.

9. Risk Management and Resilience

  • Risk Assessment: Identify potential disruptions (e.g., natural disasters, political instability, cyber threats) and develop contingency plans.
  • Supply Chain Resilience: Implement strategies like dual sourcing, safety stock, and flexible logistics networks.
  • Scenario Planning: Develop contingency plans for various disruptions, including natural disasters, strikes, and supplier failures.
  • Insurance: Consider logistics and product insurance to protect against unforeseen events.

10. Continuous Improvement and Sustainability

  • Kaizen: Foster a culture of continuous improvement by identifying small, incremental improvements.
  • Sustainability: Focus on reducing the environmental impact of supply chain operations (e.g., sustainable sourcing, reduced carbon footprint).
  • Lean Six Sigma: Use Lean (waste reduction) and Six Sigma (process improvement) methodologies for improving supply chain processes.
  • Customer Feedback: Use customer feedback to make process improvements, enhance quality, and optimize delivery.

Supply Chain Training

If you need supply chain training you have come to the right place.  The information in this section is about the entire supply chain.  If you want to dive into a specific area such as procurement or manufacturing there are links below for more detailed training.  The following links contain key information supply chain professionals often research.

This video includes the basic concepts of Supply Chain Management.  If you are well versed in supply chain you may want to skip this video and jump down to the Supply Chain Training area.

Supply Chain Training By Process.

End to End Supply Chain Management Process.

Supply Chain Research Training.

Fulfillment/Distribution Training.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Logistics Training.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Manufacturing Training.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Procurement/Supplier Management Training.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

What is…

Supply Chain Quotes.

“Those in supply chain know the impossible is possible.” ~EverythingSupplyChain.com.

“Eighty-five percent of the reasons for failure are deficiencies in the systems and process rather than the employee. The role of management is to change the process rather than badgering individuals to do better.” ~W. Edwards Deming.

“Don’t be afraid to fail. Get out there and experiment and learn and fail and get a rate based on the experiences you have. Go for it and when you go for it you’ll learn what you’re capable of, what the potential is, where the opportunities are, but you can’t be afraid to fail because that’s when you learn.”  ~Michael Dell.

“Supply Chain – the supply chain starts from the origin of the raw material and ends once the product has been discarded or recycled.” ~SupplyChainToday.com.

Supply Chain

“Supply Chain Experience: Plan a meal for 10 people.  Everyone must get the food they want and you can’t run out.  You have a $100 budget.  Now plan and execute.” ~EverythingSupplyChain.com.

Supply Chain 101

“The nemesis of supply chain is bad communication.” ~EverythingSupplyChain.com.

supply chain training

“Supply Chains are everywhere.  From the biggest companies to running your household.  Everyone has some type of supply chain experience.” ~EverythingSupplyChain.com.

supply chain

“Supply Chain: Getting the right product, to the right place, in the right quantity, with the right quality, at the right total coast.”

supply chain definition

“Great companies know supply chain is a key differentiator to separate them from the competition.” ~EverythingSupplyChain.com.

need supply chain training

“Benchmarking – used to identify best practices within industry to enhance processes, efficiency, profitability, etc.” ~SupplyChainToday.com.

benchmarking

“Tim Cook (CEO of Apple) and Mary Barra (CEO of General Motors) both held the top supply chain positions before becoming CEO.  Supply Chain is important!” ~EverythingSupplyChain.com.

scm ceo

More Supply Chain Quotes.

  • “All we are doing is looking at the time line, from the moment the customer gives us an order to the point when we collect the cash. And we are reducing the time line by reducing the non-value adding wastes.” ~Taiichi Ohno.
  • “What’s dangerous is not to evolve.”  ~Jeff Bezos.
  • “Why is it important to stay up to date on the latest knowledge and trends in supply chain?  Firstly, the supply chain is changing and evolving faster than ever.  Secondly, the future of work is changing and people are either part of automation, or being automated.  There are, however, some people who believe their jobs can not be automated.   Thirdly, and most importantly, don’t be that person who wished they had updated their skill set after it is too late.  In conclusion, get familiar and fully understand the capabilities of terms like Big Data, Internet of Things (IoT), Machine Learning, Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence, Augmented Reality, Drones and Deep Learning.” ~Dave Waters
  • “Leaders win through logistics. Vision, sure. Strategy, yes. But when you go to war, you need to have both toilet paper and bullets at the right place at the right time. In other words, you must win through superior logistics.” ~Tom Peters.
  • “I’m not a tech guy. I’m looking at the technology with the eyes of my customers, normal people’s eyes.” ~Jack Ma.
  • “Almost all quality improvement comes via simplification of design, manufacturing, layout, processes, and procedures.” ~Tom Peters.
  • “Without data, you’re just another person with an opinion.” ~W. Edwards Deming.
  • “The goal as a company is to have customer service that is not just the best but legendary.”  ~Sam Walton.
  • “We care about every worker in our worldwide supply chain… What we will not do – and never have done – is stand still or turn a blind eye to problems in our supply chain. On this you have my word.” ~Tim Cook, Apple CEO Tim Cook Supply Chain guru.
  • “Deep Learning will change the lives of all of us.  What is Deep Learning?  It’s behind what makes self-driving cars a reality.”  ~Dave Waters.
  • “It is impossible to improve any process until it is standardized. If the process is shifting from here to there, then any improvement will just be one more variation that is occasionally used and mostly ignored. One must standardize, and thus stabilize the process, before continuous improvement can be made.”  ~Masaaki Imai.
  • “Any customer can have a car painted any color that he wants so long as it is black.” ~Henry Ford.
  • “Machine learning will automate jobs that most people thought could only be done by people.” ~Dave Waters.
  • “You will not find it difficult to prove that battles, campaigns, and even wars have been won or lost primarily because of logistics.” ~Dwight D. Eisenhower.
  • “Past supply chain automation efforts will pale in comparison to the automation coming with IoT and Artificial Intelligence.” ~Dave Waters.
  • “Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young.” ~ Henry Ford, founder of Ford.
  • “Apple has changed every day since I have been here. But the DNA of the company, the thing that makes our heart beat, is a maniacal focus on making the best products in the world. Not good products, or a lot of products, but the absolute best products in the world. In creating these great products we focus on enriching people’s lives – a higher cause for the product.” ~ Tim Cook, made huge improvements to the Apple Supply Chain.
  • “The line between disorder and order lies in logistics…” ~Sun Tzu.
  • “One of the first areas artificial intelligence will take many jobs is transportation.  Bus drivers, truckers, taxicab drivers… need to start thinking about new careers.” ~Dave Waters.
Scroll to Top