Supply Chain Management: Enhancing Customer Service, Transportation, and Warehousing

This document discusses the importance of supply chain management in enhancing customer service, transportation, and warehousing. It focuses on the challenges faced by Farmfood, a frozen food supermarket chain, and provides strategies to overcome them. Topics covered include customer service, transportation system, warehousing, and competitive advantage.

Supply Chain
Management

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
Supply chain of enterprises..........................................................................................................1
Introduction of relevant logistics along with supply chain management concepts as well as
models..........................................................................................................................................4
Firms manger response as well as they perceive the issues. .......................................................5
Ways to enhance supply chain.....................................................................................................6
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................8

INTRODUCTION
Supply chain management implies to administration of flow of goods along with services
which includes motion as well as storage of raw material, stock which is in work in process as
well as finished goods and completion of order from the time of origin to the end stage which is
consumption (Seuring, Brix-Asala and Khalid, 2019). It includes operational streamlining from
the side of supply operations so that maximisation of customer worth along with this enterprises
have an benefit of competition in their marketplace. For this report Farmfood is consider which
is a supermarket chain of frozen food and located in Cumbernauld,Scotland. They operate their
activities throughout UK with more than three hundred outlets. The organisation has a been
located around 300 locations and it was founded in 1995. It is privately held firm and has
number of competitors such as s Iceland, Morrison, Tesco, etc. In this report addresses the
supply chain in relation to transportation, competitive advantage, customer service as well as
warehousing. Further this report includes issues, how organisation react to these issues as well as
what they can do so that they can enhance their chain of supply.
MAIN BODY
Supply chain of enterprises
Consumer Service: It can define as procedure which deliver competitive advantage
along with this it adds goodness to the system of supply chain of an entity as it increases the
entire worth of the customers which are potential. In other words supply chain management is
straight-away link to customer service. With the procedure of distribution, manufacturing along
with sale of finished merchandise, entities target clients by making their efforts in the direction
of supplying excellent aid to them. This is done when they provide answers all the question of
their customers along with the collection of feedbacks and implementing them to enhance their
services. The entities who have coordinated their client services with supply chain have good
chances to enhance their sales. In context to Farmfood, they should evaluate all the ways in
which clients react and how their reaction impact their sales. They should try to get feedbacks
from their respective clients which will assist them to form as well as they can make changes in
their operations accordingly (Sajjad, Eweje and Tappin, 2020) . Following are the elements
which company needs to consider in relation to customer services:
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 Delivery Time: The factor of time is important mainly in the cycle of time of an order. In
relation to Farmfood, They should form strategies in such as manner that their work will
be completed within the time limit. Process of order: These factor is mainly about giving importance to the respective orders
like urgency. In relation to Farmfood, it is very necessary for them to remove any
blockage which comes in their way of delivering their merchandise as it impact their
reputation also. Conditions of order: Enterprises should consider the conditions of their merchandise as
any delay in their delivery can impact the condition of their product. In context to
Farmfood, they sale frozen food so it is very important for them to consider this factor as
this will impact their set quality standards directly. They need to consider their designing,
return as well as process of replacement of their order as they cannot afford to have these
process incorrect.
 Order restraint: It implies to needs or anticipations which forestall the flexibility of an
order physical process along with its transportation. Farmfood, in this relation can form
their policies as they know what are their restrictions.
Advantages
 Main benefit of this approach is that it helps business organisation to analyse the
changing demands of customers in proper manner.
 Another benefit of this method is that it assist in implementation of strategy in correct
way.
Disadvantages
 Limitation of this approach is that it is critical process and requires proper knowledge
and expertise.
Transportation System: To deflect the situation in which demand does not meet the
supply, it is very essential for the entities to maintain the continues flow of supply by keeping in
mind the cost of transportation as it influence the cost of a merchandise. This system guarantee
the transfer of merchandise from one place to other which deliver supply concatenation to clients
(Fantazy and Tipu, 2019). In this regard Farmfood, should give importance to this system as it
ensure the effective working and its other benefits are mention below:-
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 Reduction in cost: With the clarity in the procedure of transportation it becomes easy for
he entities to determine exact cost to work on that accordingly. In relation to Farmfood,
they should collect all the information regarding the cost of transportation which will
assist them to keep an eye on their cost of their frozen food. Improve customer service: Transportation ensures enhancement of customer service as
they provide merchandise to the customers as it fulfil the requirement of customers. In
context to Farmfood, transportation will assist the company to provide their frozen foods
to customers and accomplish the needs of both customers along with company. Deliver more options of supply chain: There are numerous kind of merchandise which
are present toady and all from them require various kind of modes depending on the life
of a specific product. In this regard Farmfood, should choose the best possible option
which are available to them so that they can deliver their trade good on time without
causing any damage to them .
 Remove the geographical boundaries: With the aid of transportation organisations need
not to worry about how will they supply their merchandise. They provide ensure they
services or merchandise will be deliver to customers through trucks, rails, aeroplanes,
ships as well as from buses (Rajeev, Pati and Padhi, 2019) . In relation to Farmfood,
transportation will aid them in supplying their frozen food outside the boundary of
Scotland.
Advantages
 Benefit of this method is that it helps in managing of fuel efficiency.
 It too reduces the traffic congestion and saves money in appropriate way.
 With use of this method, selected firm is able to reach to their strategical objectives in
effective manner.
Disadvantages
 To execute this system, an appropriate focus and attention is needed in every situation.
Warehousing: Warehousing form a inbuilt component of the procedure of supply chain
as it represents the wide areas where the storage of merchandise is done. Keeping the goods for
longer time frame as well as delivering them on time give birth to utility of time. It is beneficial
for both customers along as well as for entities also as its inbound role helps in the holding of
materials whereas its outbound role is to pack as well as ship the orders which are placed. In
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context to Farmfood, warehousing will assist them to sore their food items and will require good
as well as large cold storage warehouse. It present following benefits to the enterprises:- Administration of Stock: With warehousing companies can keep their trade goods
safely and in bulk quantity. Farmfood, deals in frozen items so it is very essential for
them to keep their goods in such a place where they don't get spoiled.
 Distribution: Arrangement along with warehousing influence the operations relating to
distribution. It makes easy for the entities to transfer their goods as they all are kept in
one place. In context to Farmfood, it is very important for them to maintain a effective
distribution system which will deliver their products on time without causing any damage
to them.
Advantages
 This method is beneficial for storing of goods and products for longer period of time.
Disadvantages Main drawback is that it impact on cost at wider level.
Competitory Advantage: The original role of the supply chain is to proceeds with
creation of goods to their transfer and with this it also render competitory benefit to industry
with the customers. With involvement of innovation, savings of the firms, hike profit as well as it
effect the experience of customers with the respective brands (Saroha, Garg and Luthra, 2020).
They work for mainly for the centres of cost so that the factors which impact them can be
controlled. In way of accomplishing this firms are require to form priorities which are to be fulfil
by their supply chain system so that the internal as well as external customers can be satisfied.
In order to work on this element firms are require to break their precedence in relation to cost,
time, quality along with fklexibilty which are explained as under:- Strategy in relation to cost: In order to win over competitors companies are require to
form such kind of strategy that they deliver their goods by keeping the cost low without
any sacrifice in terms of quality. This will also assist them in planning the cost of their
merchandise by keeping their margin of profit. Farmfood, can consider this element to
win over their competitors by forming good cost strategy. Strategy for time: This element give emphasis to speed transportation, outcome time
along with the development time of merchandise (Andalib Ardakani and
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Soltanmohammadi, 2019). Farmfood, in this relation should ensure that they deliver
their goods to final consumers on time. Planning for quality: To maintain reliability it is very important for the companies to
supply best quality of products by maintaining a good chain of supply which promises
the delivery on time. Farmfood, should render best quality of frozen foods and they
should maintain their quality which will assist them to build reputation in the market.
 Flexibility: It comes in different forms like volume, variety of merchandise as well as
customization of those trade good. Farmfood, should keep in mind what their customers
require, trends that are prevailing in market as well as the total amount which they require
to keep up their demand.
Benefits
 Main benefit of this approach is that competitive advantage assist entity to develop their
business goals.
Limitations
 Limitation of this method is that it needs a proper market as well as research analysis.
Introduction of relevant logistics along with supply chain management concepts as well as
models
Management of supply chain is the area which mainly target customers and ensures their
loyalty along with their satisfaction. Whereas as logistics are the motion of goods or things
between one point to the other. The starting point represent the formation of products and end
point represents the clients. With change in technology, customers taste, trends of markets
enterprises faces many issues which are explained underneath:-
Issues:-
Quality customer service: Management of supply chain mainly focuses on the
requirements of clients which comprises of maintaining quality along with quantity and
rendering decent amount of money. All these activities need prefect regulation along with
setting. Farmfood, is finding it hard to maintain the quality of there food to match there
affordable prices.
Costing: With the hike in energy as well as labour the cost of materials have drastically
increase and firms are require to supply quality products at low-price and for this there are some
adjustments which are to be made in order to run operations (Velázquez-Martínez and Tayaksi,
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2020). In this regard Farmfood, are require to keep an eye on their cost segment as cold storage
is becoming expensive for them.
Management of risk: With the changes in daily requirement of consumers along with
technology and political polices it become difficult for the firms to cope up with these changes
and form their policies in this direction (Paliwal, Chandra and Sharma, 2020). In relation to
Farmfood, they are facing this challenge as the people are more shifting to vegan as well as fresh
food and their frozen food mainly comprises of meat and frozen can not replace fresh food.
Unanticipated time lag: Keeping the stock is vert easy but its delivery become very
difficult for the firms which leads to delay. This variation between the delivery time occurs
mainly due to the reason when companies are not able to ship their items within the limit of
deadline. In context to Farmfood, it becomes very hard for them to supply their frozen material
on time as require more care which leads to delay in their delivery.
Firms manger response as well as they perceive the issues.
Manger of an entity plays an important role in resolving the problems which are faced by
them. He deliver effective plans of actions which aid them to fight these problems in a better
manner. He analyse all the challenges, their origin and then render their solutions. The strategies
which mangers of the Farmfood, should apply are stated below: - To resolve the problem of costing: Manager of Farmfood,should improve the structure
of their cost control which will assist them to execute their plane in better manner. With
the continuous monitoring of the cost which are involved in the process will aid them to
filter their unnecessary activities and this problem can be resolved by delivery the
efficiency of warehouse (Naway and Rahmat, 2019) . Effective supply chain model will
aid them in this situation as it ensure the maximum usage to machinery and maintaining
efficiency of equipments to decrease the cost. To see quality customer service:Manger should invest in new technology and
continuous study the taste as well as preference of customers (Dhamija, Bedi and Gupta,
2020). Fast supply chain model will assist the mangers in solving this trouble as it
ensures ides according to market situations, and keep them updated according to the
markers trends. To manage of risk: It is very important for managers to be prepared with a plan to deal
with the problem and in this regard software relating to logistics enables them to mange
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such type of issues with less attempts (Yadav and Singh, 2020). Flexible supply chain
model will assist the mangers to resolve such problem as it guarantee response in rapid
manner, strengths relating to technology as well as excess capability of resources with a
procedure of flow which is rapidly reconfigurable.
 To anticipate time lag: For this managers are require to maintain stock which is buffer as
well as effective warehouse management which keep the records regarding the material
which is already delivered and information relating to time to ensure that each and every
thing run in a smooth For this problem continuous flow supply chain model will help the
mangers to maintain stability in their demand.
Ways to enhance supply chain
Supply chain require improvement which will enhance the working of the firms. Apart
from above solutions this system also require development in certain factors which are explained
as under:- Visibility: Entities are require to keep a track of each and every element relating to their
merchandise when they shift from suppliers hand to customers hand (Oelze, Gruchmann
and Brandenburg, 2020). It require to check level of inventory which will enable mangers
to understand their current situation and they can form their plans of actions according to
situations. Engagement in IT department: With the knowledge of advance software it will
becomes easy for the Farmfood to improve their process of supply chain. It will deliver
holistic planning and ensure effective working. Programs related to trainings:In order to improve internal resources it is very important
for Farmfood to render effective programs of training which enhances the productivity
level of the employees along with the use of up dated technology.
 Implementation of good plan of project: A impressive plan of project display good
decisions of investments, develop distribution, form channels of communication,
recognising the risk as well as it also facilitates forming of decisions which are cross
functional and improvisation in the projects of Farmfood.
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CONCLUSION
From the above report it can be derive that supply chain management aims get governing
the flow of goods from the manufacturing stage to delivering them to consumers. Elements like
consumer service,delivery time process of order, conditions of order and order restraint are the
few factors which influence the management of supply chain. Entities suffer from problems like
costing, management of risk, unanticipated time lag and quality customer service if they don't
effectively mange their supply chain system Further it is seen that this system require
improvisation like visibility, engagement in IT department, programs related to trainings and
implementation of good plan of project so that companies can brat their level of competi5tiron
and survive ion difficult market conditions.
REFERENCES
Books and Journals
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Seuring, S., Brix-Asala, C. and Khalid, R.U., 2019. Analyzing base-of-the-pyramid projects
through sustainable supply chain management. Journal of Cleaner Production, 212,
pp.1086-1097.
Sajjad, A., Eweje, G. and Tappin, D., 2020. Managerial perspectives on drivers for and barriers
to sustainable supply chain management implementation: Evidence from New
Zealand. Business Strategy and the Environment, 29(2), pp.592-604.
Fantazy, K. and Tipu, S.A.A., 2019. Exploring the relationships of the culture of competitiveness
and knowledge development to sustainable supply chain management and organizational
performance. Journal of Enterprise Information Management.
Rajeev, A., Pati, R.K. and Padhi, S.S., 2019. Sustainable supply chain management in the
chemical industry: Evolution, opportunities, and challenges. Resources, Conservation
and Recycling, 149, pp.275-291.
Saroha, M., Garg, D. and Luthra, S., 2020. Pressures in implementation of circular supply chain
management for sustainability. Management of Environmental Quality: An International
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Andalib Ardakani, D. and Soltanmohammadi, A., 2019. Investigating and analysing the factors
affecting the development of sustainable supply chain model in the industrial
sectors. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 26(1), pp.199-
212.
Velázquez-Martínez, J.C. and Tayaksi, C., 2020. Supply chain management for micro and small
firms in Latin America. In Supply chain management and Logistics in emerging markets.
Emerald Publishing Limited.
Naway, F. and Rahmat, A., 2019. The mediating role of technology and logistic integration in
the relationship between supply chain capability and supply chain operational
performance. Uncertain Supply Chain Management, 7(3), pp.553-566.
Yadav, S. and Singh, S.P., 2020. Blockchain critical success factors for sustainable supply
chain. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 152, p.104505.
Oelze, N., Gruchmann, T. and Brandenburg, M., 2020. Motivating Factors for Implementing
Apparel Certification Schemes—A Sustainable Supply Chain Management
Perspective. Sustainability, 12(12), p.4823.
Dhamija, P., Bedi, M. and Gupta, M.L., 2020. Industry 4.0 and supply chain management: A
methodological review. International Journal of Business Analytics (IJBAN), 7(1), pp.1-
23.
Paliwal, V., Chandra, S. and Sharma, S., 2020. Blockchain Technology for Sustainable Supply
Chain Management: A Systematic Literature Review and a Classification
Framework. Sustainability, 12(18), p.7638.
(Seuring, Brix-Asala and Khalid, 2019) (Sajjad, Eweje and Tappin, 2020) (Fantazy and Tipu,
2019) (Rajeev, Pati and Padhi, 2019) (Saroha, Garg and Luthra, 2020) (Andalib
Ardakani and Soltanmohammadi, 2019) (Velázquez-Martínez and Tayaksi, 2020)
(Naway and Rahmat, 2019) (Yadav and Singh, 2020) (Oelze, Gruchmann and
Brandenburg, 2020) (Dhamija, Bedi and Gupta, 2020) (Paliwal, Chandra and Sharma,
2020)
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