‘4Supplychain helps you plan with confidence and precision’

Supply chain planning processes play a key role to achieve maximum service level, efficiency and reduced cost. For our manufacturing clients, we therefore improve the Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) process and often develop it further into Integrated Business Planning (IBP). S&OP topics include demand planning (forecasting), supply (production) planning, executive S&OP and the S&OP planning cycle. For retail clients, we improve on-shelf availability by optimizing store- and DC replenishment. In addition to the more regular S&OP processes, we optimize specific topics such as Trade Promotions (TPM) and Product Life Cycle Management.

Supply chain planning

Supply chain planning is essential in any supply chain to increase customer satisfaction, optimize resource utilization and reduce costs. By accurately forecasting demand and adjusting production, inventory and purchasing accordingly, risks can be controlled and cooperation between partners can improve. It also offers flexibility in the event of changes and contributes to sustainability goals through more efficient use of, for example, transport and consumption of raw materials. For our production clients (food, pharma, agri, etc.) we improve Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) or Integrated Business Planning (IBP). S&OP topics include demand planning (forecasting), supply (production) planning, executive S&OP and the planning cycle. For retail clients, we improve in-store availability by optimizing store and DC replenishment. In addition to the more regular S&OP processes, we optimize specific topics such as Trade Promotions Management (TPM) and Product Life Cycle Management (PLC). The underlying KPIs we set up are forecast accuracy and forecast bias for demand, On Time In Full (OTIF) for service level and days inventory on-hand (DIO) for inventory.

S&OP

Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) is a broad business process by which the management team continually establishes focus and alignment among all functions of the organization (sales, finance, manufacturing, purchasing, supply chain, etc.). S&OP is the achievement of agreement between functional areas to achieve the best possible balance between supply and demand and to meet profitability goals. S&OP ensures that strategy is translated into daily activities and that daily activities are prepared to execute what is to come.

How we help our clients:

  • Designing, describing and establishing a suitable S&OP process when it is new to the organization and supporting its implementation
  • Improve specific S&OP areas, such as demand planning, supply planning, inventory management, promotions, material planning, etc.
  • Selecting the most appropriate software when relevant (drafting requirements, long list, demos, guiding choice)
  • Implementing and optimizing the use of software (think SAP IBP, Anaplan, Altas John Galt, o9, Netstock, Slimstock and others)
  • Interim positions such as planning manager, supply chain manager, demand planner, supply planner and production planner. Please also see our interim page for these.

Retail store and DC supply

Planning processes within retail companies operate differently than in a manufacturing environment. The emphasis is on detailed planning to achieve the right availability in the store. We help our retail customers improve the planning of the chain, for example by working on store replenishment parameters, optimization of the supply of the distribution center and the upstream chain. Here, too, we guide the selection and implementation of appropriate software.

How we help our clients:

  • Designing, describing and establishing suitable DC- and store replenishment processes when new to the organization and supporting implementation
  • Improve specific planning areas such as forecasting, inventory optimization, vendor terms and promotions, etc.
  • Selecting the most appropriate software when relevant (drafting requirements, long list, demos, guiding choice)
  • Implementing and optimizing the use of the software
  • Interim positions such as planning manager, supply chain manager or planner. Please also see our interim page for these.

S&OP maturity scan

The first step is an S&OP scan. The scan provides insight into the maturity of the current S&OP process and identifies areas for improvement. The S&OP scan uses our proprietary model based on our own experiences and various sources, including Gartner’s 5-stage model or Aberdeen's model. Focus areas include:
• Demand & Supply plan
• Meeting structure and collaboration
• Organization and people
• Software landscape
• KPI's

S&OP implementation

The implementation or improvement of the current S&OP process starts with a good plan. (As mentioned, the maturity scan can be a good starting point.) Based on our extensive experience in various industries, we can present a result-oriented implementation plan. During this implementation, our consultants work with our customers' team to achieve results quickly and to ensure that the new processes are well established in the organization. For more information about our approach read the blog S&OP development framework.

S&OP software selection and implementation

Selecting the right software vendor to support your S&OP process is often a challenge because the available tools are not very distinctive at first glance. We believe it is critical to see which elements of your company and business are critical and specific and base your search on these items. We can support you to create a list of requirements, RFI, RFQ/RFP and more, as well as selecting the most suitable vendor. We can also serve as your project manager and specialist during the implementation process.

A good talk about supply chain planning?

We’d like to get in touch to provide you with the right information.