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Job Skills in Supply Chain Management (Managing the Supply Chain (Managing…

- - - - Software can help organize projects into a more neat format and can be much more detailed than a work breakdown structure.
        
        Spreadsheets can be concise and understandable for small projects.
        
        Project management software; such as Microsoft Project, Trello, Basecamp, etc., are useful for organizing bigger projects. Software such as the ones stated have many more tools such as the gant chart which is horizontal calendar that shows when each project is to be completed, how much time is allotted for the task, and how much slack is given for the task.
        
        The critical path is the sequence of tasks that have no flexibility in their scheduling and must be completed without delay or risk delaying the whole project.
      - Milestones aid in measuring the progress of the project. Setting milestones at one-thirds, one-fourths, or one-tenths the length of the project breaks it down into sections to be completed at a time.
    - - Schedule:
        The time necessary to complete all of the projects necessary tasks.
      - Budget:
        The cost of the project.
      - Scope:
        What it is that the project is aiming to accomplish.
  - - - Lean:
        Focuses on the elimination of unnecessary complications or wastes of resources in the supply chain to get the product from one place to another.
      - The Theory of Constraints:
        Focuses on optimizing the points of the supply chain that bottleneck, or slow down, the process so that way the whole supply chain will operate at a faster pace.
      - Six Sigma:
        Focuses on reducing the variability of supply chain conditions through the use of statistics and probability.
  - - - Forecasting Demand:
        It is important to predict exactly what it is the customer will demand so that you are more likely to have enough inventory on hand to meet demand.
        
        Quantitative Forecast:
        By observing trends and taking monthly sales then averaging them from year to year, you can guess how much inventory you will need to make up your cycle stock.
        
        Qualitative Forecast:
        Often used for situations where statistics are not a viable means of predicting demand, such as with a new product, when a new law is implemented, or when trying to appeal to a new demographic. You must use your own knowledge and make an educated guess about inventory.
        
        By using the variance from your forecast to statistic comparison you can determine your own sales bias. By figuring out your bias you can account for it by increasing or decreasing your sales forecast.
        
        Do not forecast too far into the future. The further you attempt to forecast, the more likely it will be incorrect. Any number of things can happen between the time of your forecast and reality so statistics need to be checked often and forecasts need to be made closer to the sales date.
        
        Compare the forecast to the actual statistics, this is known as the variance. This may help show you how accurate you forecasting skills are whether or not you need more room for error.
    - - Stockout:
        When the cycle stock is not enough to meet the demands of the customer. Safety Stock is required to mitigate stockout. Optimization comes when the risk of a stockout is balanced with the production of waste.
- - - - Be Sensitive to Schedules: Everyone has work so make sure you are only using the time you need, not that you are allotted. Be clear and concise.
      - Be Selective with Meetings: Give your message only to those who need to hear it. Fire safety is important to all, but project planning does not affect the janitor.
      - Be aware of modes of communications: Sometimes in-person is not always the best, find the mode that is most convenient at that time.
      - Discuss. Document. Do.: Following a plan to complete an assignment that includes discussing it, recording it, and then following through is a good way to keep yourself and colleagues on track.
      - Avoid making assumptions: Be clear with what you are saying, but also ask questions so that the listener fully interprets what you are conveying to them.
    - - Build Trust: Use your knowledge to benefit the customers, for example, if you can get them a better price by recommending a nearby affiliate then you should do so.
      - Provide options and solutions: Not every expectation can be met, so finding a creative solution can go a long way to building customer relationship.
        
        Shipping a Product:
        Shipping a product to the right person in the right place at the right time without damaging the product requires a lot of effort but is very important in creating good relationships with your customers.
        You might not always be able to meet every expectation, but there are things that can be done to mitigate the effect on the customer; you can take a minor profit loss to ensure a better delivery and a future customer.
        You can find a solution to a difficult delivery such as an international delivery, maybe contact an affiliated company that is closer to the customer.
      - Listen Carefully: To be able to meet all the customers expectations, good listening skills are required.
        
        This goes hand in hand with a customers ability to set clear expectations.
        
        Taking an Order:
        Taking an order is typically a suppliers first step in acquiring a customer. And giving a quote precedes even that, so a good quote can make or break a potential customer.
        
        Taking an Order:
        The invoice follows the customers purchase order and the physical delivery and includes how much the order costs and a time frame for when the order should be paid for.
    - - Make sure your message was received: sometimes orders get lost and talking to an actual person can go a long way in confirming an order or message.
      - Escalate Issues: Bring up the issues that will impact the supply chain as a whole and that require a team effort to be solved.
      - Keep good records: knowing who it is you are purchasing from is just as important as knowing the relationship you have with each supplier.
      - Set Clear Expectations: Your supplier can't supply you with anything if you don't tell them what you expect.
        This goes hand in hand with the suppliers ability to listen carefully.
        
        Requesting an Order:
        Making a request for a quotation is typically the first step in acquiring goods from a supplier.
        
        Requesting an Order: A purchase order is the next step in the ordering process and sets clear expectations for what the purchase includes.
      - Know your point of contact: simply knowing the position of your contact means knowing what they can help you with.