Question

Relate an example of how your company (or some other firm) has worked toward sustainable operations.

Answer 1

Here is how my firm has worked toward sustainable operations -

• My firm has aligned both the economic and non-economic elements related to sustainability.
• The managers in operations have made sustainability as part of daily routine & discussion. Managers in the supply chain have been discussing the social & environmental issue as part of the daily dialogue.
• The team has built a guiding principle and value. This value provided a succinct manner of defining the value chain & how the business needs. to be. managed.
• The firm has made sustainability a responsibility for each and every worker in the operations.

Other measures -

• The firm has given high priority to total quality management.
• Using various techniques like TQM, JIT, Lean inventory management the firm has worked towards sustainable operations.
• The management of suppliers is also done in an efficient manner to ensure sustainability across various verticals.
• The supplier development, assessment, certification and collaboration with chain managers are all taken very seriously leading to better & efficient operational management of the supply chain.

The machinery is well maintained making sure that operations are well managed. Each and every process like procurement of raw material, less usage of plastic, waste management systems in operations are other examples of firm working towards the sustainable operation.

Here is an example of an external firm - Amazon of how they are working towards sustainable operations & practices they have adopted -

• Amazon follows a fulfilment by Amazon model where sellers can take advantage of Amazon marketplace to sell its products.
• Sellers handle the fulfilment of their product on the market place.
• Amazon team communicated the inventory demand to vendors and has added a new feature which covers profitability level demand forecast. They are using the P-70, P-80, P - 90 which basically shows the % of changes that Amazon will purchase the level of demand.
• Amazon has been handling all four function making it a perfect supply chain and these include - Warehousing, delivery, technology and manufacturing.
• Warehousing - The product is easily accessible from across the world. Amazon has placed all its warehouse sin strategic location near metros and big population hubs making sure supply and demand is matched.
• Delivery - Amazon biggest aspect os supply chain management is its delivery options which are available to the customers. It includes free, 2 day and prime delivery options which gets products to the customer in 2 hours.
• Technology - Amazon being supply chain is embracing technology and uses many automated and robotic solutions to pick & pack the orders. It also helps in stacking and storage of the inventory.
• Another aspect of Amazon Supply chain is manufacturing. Amazon has realised that many third party products can be made in a cheaper manner and hence have started manufacturing them and white labelling the product. They have launched a branded category in household items to pets and even the babies segment. The labels have been growing on all fronts.

All these functions and future business changes show that Amazon is a supply chain and is revolutionising the way supply chain management will work in future. Its. a great example of a form working towards sustainable operations.

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