[原创]信息化时代制造企业中的优秀采购与计划人员的变与不变（二）

信息化时代制造企业中的优秀采购与计划人员的变与不变（二）

 

       As stated in the first part of the article, experienced buyers and planners are required to acquire some basic ERP / SCM knowledge and their expertise should not be confined to the functions of purchasing and production planning and scheduling. Besides, some basic practices should be adopted and utilized no matter how advanced ERP /SCM systems are employed. ABC classification / categorization and material shortage list are used as two examples.

 

l         ABC classification / categorization

 

“Is there anything new in this stereotyped concept / tool?” This is the question one may ask. Yeah, nothing is new here, for this ABC classification / categorization is part of our common sense. However, common sense, in most cases, may NOT be as that common as we thought. If you’re a buyer, please stop to think about the following questions:

²        How many “C” items, “B” items and “A” items do you purchase?

²        How much time do you spend on purchasing “C” items, and how much time do you spend on purchasing “A” items?

²        Have you ever considered the accepted inventory variance of a “C” item when you’re placing a purchase order for that “C” item?

²        If the answer to the previous question is “YES”, WHY? If the answer is “NO”, WHY?

²        What is your order policy for “A” items, what is your order policy for “C” items?

²        Do we apply the same order policy to all “C” items?

²        Have you ever attempted to reclassify your buy parts, especially when you’re responsible for purchasing items for a fast growing product line?

 

If you can’t answer those questions in no time or you spend too much time on dealing with “C” items, perhaps it’s time for you to stop to rethink your “ABC” classification and how you should purchase your materials.

 

l         Material Shortage List

 

With the implementation of ERP / SCM applications, is it still necessary to use this “stone aged” check list? The answer is almost always “yes” thanks to the facts shown below:

²            It’s impossible or rather too costly to have all materials ready (already stored in warehouse as on hand stocks) before the assembly starts

²            There always exists some probability that suppliers or subcontractors fail to supply materials as promised for whatever reasons.

²            The preparation of such a (potential) material shortage list prompts both buyers and planners to better communicate with one another to timely share their latest information

²            The shortage list urges the buyer to prioritize their follow-up of oncoming purchased materials in a specific time fence, say, the current week.

²            The shortage list also highlights some potential material supply problems so that planners may take some proactive actions in their attempt to stabilize the production scheduling and provide better customer services.

 

Those mentioned above may provoke us to think about what experienced buyers and planners should stick to. As for what they should try to adapt to, since most of us are more likely to be attracted by those eye catching subjects and countless articles have been devoted to them, I’m afraid that I’d better say nothing here.

 

Incidentally, the term buyer used here mainly refers to purchasing engineers who are required to place purchase orders according to material requirements planning (MRP) to vendors that have been qualified by sourcing engineers and do the following up.

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