Question

What is a comprehensive definition of supply chain management. Describe the four cornerstones to supply chain management and provide the key components of each.

Answer 1

Supply chain management is a process which is used by companies to maximise the efficiency and to ensure the quality control.
The five basic components of supply chain are as follows.
1. Plan
2. Develop
3. Make
4. Deliver
5. Return.
1-Plan-
Planning is the first stage of a supply chain. A plan is developed for the actual need of the customer. For a profitable supply chain good planning is very essential. For proper resource management and customer satisfaction supply chains are developed to maintain high profits and correct delivery to the customers.
2-Develop-
Development is the second stage for the supply chain, How the source or the raw material supplier interacts with the company and provide a better service is ensured in this section. It also plans for shipping, delivery and payment. Developing relations with the suppliers is very important as raw material's quality should be constant.
3-Make-
In third stage product is manufactured , packed , shipped and delivered to the customer, This is a manufacturing step hence it plays a big role in the goals of a supply chain because if the production is slow or any part of the making reduces it speed it effects the whole system.
4-Deliver-
Delivery is the fourth part of the process in which the product is handed over to the logistics , The products are distributed with the help of warehouses and payments are collected via invoice system.
5-Return-
Return is the final part of the supply chain in which the customer can return the defective or faulty products and company can raise questions on the same..
Each of above components have their own significance in creating an effective supply chain. Main goals explained above should be strictly followed to ensure the quality and effectiveness of the chain.

Supply chain department directly contact this is department for getting the overall requirement of the specific product and then take specific product on manufacturers and deliver it to the marketing department while maintaining a balance and communication to the sales department for the effective sales network. Maintaining the supply chain network from the manufacturer directly affect the overall reach of the supply chain towards the specific sales department. Is department collaborate with the marketing department to provide a support to the supply chain department for effective implementation.

Supply chain department as well as sales and marketing department definitely values my work and provide specific benefit for the specific job. By having a specific expertise in supply chain management I have been successfully maintaining the supply chain since last few decades for a company. This is specific company has always treated me as there asset and provided me with the benefits as the less promotions in the same field. hence I can say that they definitely value my work inside their organisation.

In my department sales and marketing department should be electronically implemented as they are literally a part of the system. Currently the sales and marketing department is not inter connected with the help of the electronic management system but they have to contact the supply chain department first for maintaining a balance between the supply chain marketing as well as sales. Maintaining a proper connection between the marketing and sales department could be very beneficial for my organisation to improve their overall level of impact in the supply chain management.