Manufacturing has struggled to produce what customers want on-time without spending a fortune and tying up excess cash unnecessarily in the wrong, "just-in-case" inventory. It is a tough environment spiraling out of control with supply chain chaos.
Since the pandemic, it has been a constant battle to ensure material availability, let alone to proactively manage cost and service. Even the most proactive and successful clients have experienced brief shortages of key materials and extended lead-times. The rest have been plagued with these issues.
According to FactSet Insight, revenue growth is predicted at 7.5% for 2022 which is substantial when considering it is following record-breaking growth in 2021. Clients and colleagues are seeing record increases in sales revenues and pricing.
Every production planner has the challenging job of managing a complex set of conflicting priorities - meeting customer requested ship dates and new product trials, supporting manufacturing and logistics performance objectives, and addressing finance's objectives as it relates to inventory levels and cash flow.
Lisa Anderson and the team at LMA Consulting working with Nellson to upgrade the planning, purchasing/ MRP, supply chain and S&OP/ SIOP processes. The result was improved service levels with on time in full (OTIF) from the low 90's to the high 90's; reduced inventory levels; reduced obsolete inventory, improved billbacks on expired material (from around 0% to nearly 100%); and gained more value from the ERP system.
There is a LOT you can do this week to improve your integrated planning process.
Oftentimes we spend countless hours planning a project with details, responsibilities and timelines, only to forget to work the plan. Once a plan is done, refocus your energy to execution.
I cannot tell you how many disagreements I've seen over the years on the optimal planning method.
Developing and maintaining a working production plan is no easy feat, but the best planners make the job seem effortless.
A master schedule is an integral part of your production plan and communications to your team to centralize focus.
