Four subsections mark section 2 C or the Materials and Inventory Management topic. In all of these subsections I could find something of current interest to the profession. But first some nostalgia. My first management position was in materials and inventory management and although I was the supervisor I was in great awe of my very experienced deputy MC Patel (MC). MC did not have a college degree and I can't remember if he had cleared high school and this was with computerization just starting. Couple of key things I had learnt from MC that jumped out in this topic was a) You must be able to find and issue stuff when someone came asking for it - he remembered over 1500 items! b) If things were running out you ordered in time c) When goods came in you managed the receipt and inspection process efficiently to enable suppliers to be paid in time and finally d) You were able to demonstrate to auditors that you had what your books said you had. Thank you MC Patel!
So what's new in this domain? Well for one the standardization issues where you want to, where possible to look for ISO 9000 particularly in international suppliers. a system that utilizes bar codes and if possible RFID that speaks to the ERP system and importantly the security related provisions like C-TPAT.
C-TPAT or the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism which calls for the US Border Protection service asks businesses to ensure that security guidelines are not only clear internally but are clear and communicated to partners like carriers,warehouses,importers etc.
Finally, understanding value stream mapping to value goods for return or disposal and care with environmental concerns in disposing.
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