Competency 6 Flashcards
Types of inventory:
raw materials components work-in-process: items in process throughout the plant finished goods distribution inventory
3 inventory management objectives:
o customer service o cost-efficient operations o minimum inventory investments: Measured by any of the following: • Inventory turnover • Weeks of supply • Days of supply
functions of inventory are:
Anticipation inventory: Items built in anticipation of future demand. Allows company to maintain a level production strategy.
Fluctuation inventory: Protects against unexpected demand variations. Assures customer service levels.
Lot-size inventory: Results from the actual quantity purchased. Allows for lower unit costs.
Transportation inventory: Items in movement between locations. Inventory moves from manufacturer to distribution facilities.
Speculative inventory: Extra inventory built up or purchased to protect against some future events. Allows for continuous supply.
MRO inventory: Includes maintenance supplies, spare parts, lubricants, cleaning agents, and daily operating supplies. Facilitates day-to-day operations.
Differences between inventory management for manufacturing, retail vs services
- Manufacturing has tangible inventory while services do not.
- Services need good inventory control
- Select, train, and discipline personnel.
- Have tight control over incoming shipments.
- Have tight control over items leaving the facility.
Relevant inventory costs
Item cost: Price paid per item plus any other direct costs associated with getting the item to the plant
Holding cost: capital, storage, and risk costs
Ordering cost: fixed, constant dollar amount incurred for each order placed
Shortage costs: Loss of customer goodwill, back-order handling, and lost sales
Methods used to verify inventory
- Continuous review system: Updates inventory balances after each inventory transaction.
- Periodic review system: Requires regular periodic reviews of the on-hand quantity to determine the size of the replenishment order. (daily, weekly, monthly) (to satisfy audit documents)
- Two-bin system: One bin with enough stock to satisfy demand during replenishment time is kept in the storeroom; the other bin is placed on the manufacturing floor.
- Lead time: Time from order placement to order receipt.
Period counting
A physical inventory is taken periodically, annually.
count, verify, collect tickets, reconcile
cycle counting
daily counting of pre-specified items provides the following advantages:
• timely detection and correction of inaccurate records
• elimination of lost production time due to unexpected stockouts
• structured approach using employees trained in cycle counting
Types of Aggregate Plan strategies:
Level aggregate plan: maintains a constant workforce and produces the same amount of product in each time period of the plan.
- Advantage: workforce stability
- Disadvantage: build up inventory or/and possible bad customer service due to extensive use of backorders.
(think of a straight line)
Chase aggregate plan: produces exactly what is needed to satisfy demand during each period.
- Advantage: that it minimizes finished goods holding costs.
- Disadvantage: constantly changing capacity needs and the need for enough equipment to meet peak demand.
(think continually chasing to meet demands)
Hybrid aggregate plan: a combination of level and chase while developing the aggregate plan.
- Need to evaluate companies current situation and limit the options to choose from. Could be more costly if not limited.
Strategic business plan
A statement of long-range strategy and revenue, cost, and profit objectives
Significance of the Marketing plan in aggregate plan:
the market share needed to achieve the objectives of the strategic business plan.
Sales and operations planning
The process that brings together all the functional business plans
(marketing, operations, engineering, and finance) into one integrated plan
Marketing plan
Identifies the markets to be served, desired levels of customer service, product competitive advantage, profit margins, and the market share needed to achieve the objectives of the strategic business plan
Financial plan
Identifies the sources and uses of funds; projects cash flows, profits, return on investment; and provides budgets in support of the strategic business plan
Engineering plan
Identifies new products or modifications to existing products that
are needed to support the marketing plan
Master production schedule
The anticipated production schedule for the company expressed in specific configurations, quantities, and dates
Aggregate planning option: demand based
Reactive
• Finished goods inventory used to absorb fluctuations and develop a stable work environment
• Back orders used when fluctuations result in unfilled orders; can be costly
o Proactive
• Attempts to shift demand patterns to minimize fluctuations by offering incentives—e.g., early-bird dinner prices at a restaurant
Aggregate planning options: Capacity-based
Output capacity changed to meet demand
o Various methods used:
• Overtime — cost of labor per unit increases; short term only
• Undertime — more people than required for demand or build- up of inventory; short term only
• Subcontracting — provides extra capacity; medium to long term
• Hiring and firing — expensive; long term
• Part-timers and temps
aggregate options: demand based vs capacity based
demand based - what inventory you have on hand
capacity based - what resources, people needed
Evaluating Current Situation: Magnitude of the change & Duration of the change
- Point of departure
• Current % of normal capacity
• Options are different depending on the present situation - Magnitude of change
• Larger changes need more dramatic measures - Duration of change
• Is the length of time a brief seasonal change?
• Is a permanent change in capacity needed?
Aggregate Plan Strategies: Level
o Maintains a constant workforce
o Sets capacity to accommodate average demand
o Often used for make-to-stock products like appliances
o Disadvantage — builds inventory and/or uses back orders o Uses demand-based options
Aggregate Plan Strategies: Chase
o Produces exactly what is needed each period
o Sets labor/equipment capacity to satisfy period demands
o The production rate changes in response to demand fluctuations
o Good for make-to-order products
o Disadvantage—constantly changing short-term capacity o Uses capacity-based options
Aggregate Plan Strategies: Hybrid
o Uses a combination of options
o Options should be limited to facilitate execution
o May use a level workforce with overtime and temps to meet demand
o May allow inventory buildup and some back-ordering o May use short-term sourcing
o Can use demand-based and/or capacity-based options
Steps in developing the aggregate plan
Step 1: Choose strategy: level, chase, or hybrid
Step 2: Determine aggregate production rate
Step 3: Calculate the size of the workforce
Step 4: Test the plan as follows:
o Calculate inventory, expected hiring/firing, overtime needs
o Calculate total cost of plan
Step 5: Evaluate performance: cost, service, human resources, and operations
