Supply Chain Management

Supply chain management is the management of the flow of goods and services and includes all processes that transform raw materials into final products. It is crucial for the food industry as it involves the coordination and management of various activities from food supply to consumption. 

Importance of supply chain management

• Improving efficiency-helps in streamlining processes, reducing waste, and improving productivity
• Reducing Costs and Waste-by optimizing inventory levels, minimizing transportation costs, and improving supplier relationships.
• Managing Risks-identifying and mitigating risks.
• Competitive Advantage-by enabling them to respond quickly to market changes, innovate faster.
• Better inventory management
• Improved customer service-ensures that products are delivered on time and in the right condition.

Constraints of supply chain management-

• Fragmented supply chain: result in wastage and price escalation.
• Lack of visibility make it difficult to identify bottlenecks, track inventory levels, and monitor supplier performance.
• Limited resources:  such as budget, staff, and technology can limit the ability of businesses to implement effect.
• Lack of infrastructure: leading to post harvest losses.
• Complexities in global supply chains: multiple stakeholders, complex regulations, and cultural differences that can make it challenging to manage effectively.
• Unavailability of insurance: to protect goods
• Dependence on external factors:  such as weather conditions, geopolitical events, and supplier performance, which can be unpredictable.

Way forward

• Risk hedging strategies: to reduce cost.
• Profit optimisation: by eliminating non-value-added activities, leading to scale economies.
• Flexible and responsive chain: to meet the changing needs of customers.
• Remove logistics bottlenecks: removed by focusing on road and port development.
• Single point of contact: to ensure that information is neither lost nor deteriorates.
• Market information: for effective flow and monitoring.