Question

Context/Situation:

A manufacturer and distributor of home appliances, ABC, Inc. in Tulsa Oklahoma owns the name brand “Hercules” and wishes to manufacture or source, and market washing machines. John Smith the President is tasked with “Developing and Managing the Supply Chain for Washing Machines”. The Marketing Manager, Harold Casey is given the task of reporting to John Smith and “Managing the Channels of Distribution” for the washing machines division.


Assignment:

Please evaluate the context/situation and then explain in detail what would be the DIFFERENCES in the assignments of John Smith and Harold Casey. Use your response to also detail how channel management in this case would differ from supply chain management. Please use the chapter in the textbook as well as any internet based research you can do on the subject. Expected length of answer: One page, single space, Times New Roman, Font Size 12

Answer 1

Answer-) In this case, both John smith and Harold Casey have two distinctive roles where John is responsible for Supply chain and Harold is responsible for marketing channels. If we compare their roles, both of the jobs are important but supply chain management is more wider and broader than channel management (Marketing). Supply chain management deals with all the Operations , logistics, production etc that are required for raw materials or any product to be converted into final products and delivered to the customers. It is basically the layout of any product manufactured or outsourced , making them customer ready and then delivering them through appropriate channels. Marketing channels or channel management is a part of supply chain focused more on providing valuable service through their products. It involves marketing mix which involves giving out product through channels that it do not get damaged, giving the product at the best price possible, providing Products to consumers where they are easily available, and promoting the product through advertisement. Supply chain is more of governing internal process whereas marketing channel is focused more on customers.

Hence if we have to compare the roles of John and Harold casey, we can say that , being the supply chain manager John's duties are more internal where he has to govern the process and operations in taking the products from the vendors and supplying it to the customers whereas Harold being the Marketing Manager , his duties are outward oriented where he focuses on the opportunities outside of the company to deliver a good experience to the customers like choosing the right medium to promote so that the Product reaches to target audience, the Product should be easily available etc

Supply chain Managers dont interact with the Customers. Marketing Managers only generate new leads , and supply chain manager's duty is to supply them goods consistently.

If we talk about their measurement of success ,then Marketing manager are assessed by their revenue which they bring but supply chain managers are assessed by their efficient and consistent supply of goods and later by the charges incurred in the process.

An important point is that marketing manager is a risk taker whereas supply chain manager is reluctant to take risks because marketing manager has to risk to try out a new channel of distribution through various models such as marketing research, etc but Supply chain manager has to deal with Suppliers and any faulty step can make them loose their suppliers, thereby stopping the whole process, therefore they keep risks as minimum as possible