Fundamentals of Supply Chain Management

It's when small demand changes at the retail level cause increasingly larger order swings further up the supply chain.

Poor forecasts cascade into inefficient production planning and either excess or insufficient inventory, which ultimately weakens customer service and drives up costs across the whole chain.

It's the coordination of a product's entire journey, from sourcing raw materials to final delivery.

• Planning and forecasting demand
• Sourcing raw materials and suppliers
• Manufacturing and production
• Warehousing and distribution
• Delivery and after-sales returns

It minimises the cash tied up in stored inventory by receiving materials only when they're actually needed for production.

It's the process of managing product returns, repairs and recycling back through the supply chain, and it's become increasingly important as e-commerce returns and sustainability expectations both rise.