Question

Bronner’s Christmas Store is one of the largest in America. Bronner’s currently has one store located in Frankenmuth, Michigan. Bronner’s has decided to open up a second store in Heidelberg, Germany. Reflecting on each chapter in our textbook, respond to each of the following questions as though you were hired to be a consultant to Bronner’s.

Describe the typical supply chain (function and steps) that will be used for your new store.

Answer 1

Supply Chain Management

It is the management of the flow of services and goods and includes all processes that transform raw materials into final products. A supply chain is the connected network of individuals, organizations, resources, activities, and technologies involved in the production and sale of a product or service.

On the one hand, it starts with the delivery of raw materials from a supplier to a manufacturer and ends with the delivery of the finished product or service to the customer. On the other hand, it maximizes the customer value and also gain a competitive advantage in the marketplace.

In addition, it helps the suppliers to develop and implement supply chains that are as efficient and economical as possible. Supply chains cover everything from production to product development to the information systems needed to direct these undertakings.

For example, From the present global situation, a company can anticipate corona patterns, which allow it to accurately forecast needed inventory for over-the-counter corona remedies, creating an efficient supply chain with little waste. Using this Supply Chain Management, the company can reduce excess inventory and all of the inventories' associated costs, such as the cost of warehousing and transportation.

Supply Chain Management can monitor each and every touchpoint of a company's production or service, from input level to the final sale. A well planned Supply Chain Management can increase revenues, decrease costs, and can impact a company's bottom line.

A good Supply Chain Management keeps companies out of the headlines and away from expensive recalls and lawsuits.

Steps in Supply Chain Management:

The supply chain manager coordinates the logistics of all aspects of the supply chain and it consists of five parts:

Ø Planning.

Ø The source.

Ø Manufacturing.

Ø Delivery and logistics.

Ø The return system.

1) Planning: It is the first and foremost process of thinking about the activities required to achieve a desired goal. It involves the creation and maintenance of a plan, such as psychological aspects that require conceptual skills.

2) The Source: It involves procurement of raw materials and components.

3) Manufacturing: This third step involves the conversion of raw materials into final product as per the demand of the customer.

4) Delivery and logistics: It involves transport of the finished products in an efficient and safer way within the prescribed time limit.

5) The return System: It includes the returning of products which are damaged or unwanted.

Functions of Supply Chain Management:

It includes five main functions.

Aligning Flows

Managing Resources

Designing Complex System

Coordinating Process

Integrating Functions

Aligning flows: As materials, information and money are passed between suppliers and customers, supply chain management keeps them flowing up and down a supply chain.

Integrating functions: It integrates the activities of logistics, purchasing, and operations to make sure that they focus on goals that benefit overall performance.

Coordinating processes: By coordinating the processes used to plan, source, manufacture, deliver, and return supply chain management increases profitability.

Designing complex systems: Simulation tools can be able to predict that how a supply chain will behave and show how small changes can cause major disruptions in the flow of materials.

Managing resources: Supply chain managers are responsible for utilising the available resources such as people, processes, and technology to meet the needs of consumers.