Kimberly Clark - a Lean Operations Organization

This paper is intended to shine a light onto distribution channels, both direct and indirect, as well as, provide a better understanding of channel levels. It will also deal with the different channel organizations, including conventional, horizontal, vertical and multichannel marketing systems.

A supply chain is very important to an organization. It can and should show the relationship between suppliers, distributors, managers and consumers. This paper would detail how important suppliers and distributions are to an organization’s success. And how important a supply chain is within an organization and how managers can utilize the supply chain. It is important that companies such as Target Corporations utilize the supply chain and gain competitive advantages. Target is one of the world’s largest retail stores; the first Target was opened in 1962 in Roseville, Minnesota (Target.com). By the end of 1962 there were only four Target and they were all operated in Minnesota.

The corporation is seeking data to determine the optimal course of action for distribution, referred to hereafter as the supply chain. This analyst has researched several supply-chain strategies. These strategies will be presented in this report. The analyst will also provide a concerted

Another component of an effective marketing plan is a distribution channel analysis. The path a product or service takes to reach the end consumer is referred to as a distribution channel, which can include wholesalers, retailers, distributors and the internet (Distribution Channel, 2013). A distribution channel analysis aids in the creation of a distribution strategy which will convey the company’s plan regarding the distribution of its products, determining whether to use a push or a pull strategy, and how that strategy fits the product, the target market, and overall marketing

Due to the large quantity of freight and the long distance that it must travel to arrive to its destination exporters and importers alike have found logistic service providers essential to engage in international trade (Rodriguez, Comtois, Slack, 2013). While some Logistics service providers focus only on the area of transportation others specialize in freight consolidation, distribution management, and warehousing (Robinson, 2014). They have enough market knowledge, information and communication systems to offer supply chain solutions tailored to the specific needs of any company be it small or large (Rodriguez, Comtois, Slack,

Even though direct competition has decreased, the tendency of retailers to get their products directly from manufacturers puts the company in a position of relooking its competitive edge as a distributor. The marketplace is shifting from an individuality to supply chain performance – the ability to meet end-customers needs through product availability and responsive and on-time delivery. Supply chain performance crosses both functional lines and company boundaries. Brunswick must change their way to fill customer orders faster and more efficiently than the competition.

(Bowersox, D.J., Closs, D.J., and Cooper, M.B. (2010). Supply Chain Logistics Management. (3rd Edition) New York, NY: McGraw-Hill/Irwin.

Success for many organizations depends on the firm’s ability to balance product and process changes while exceeding customer expectations for improved cost delivery and quality. In lieu of these issues firms have started to implement principles of supply chain management. Supply chain management mainly involves managing the flow of incoming materials, manufacturing operations, and downstream distribution has to be in alignment that is responsive to change in customer demands eliminating a surplus of inventory.

As one of the current leading retailers in the US, the Target Corporation has made a path to easily get back to the majority of their customers’ demands by straight forwardly streamlining the business logistics of the supply chain, forcefully putting into distribution centers to support new chain growth, handle growth volumes from smaller frequent shipments and improving levels of service for all stores even during peak periods of volume.

The profit margins in the grocery business are extremely thin, so the Kroger Company’s supply change management continually works on improving its supply chain to increase efficiency and reduce costs. Kroger utilizes a program of lean process engineering to constantly improve its supply chain. This process involves examining each individual step of the supply chain from its suppliers to product delivery at its stores and furthermore, this process has been proven to drive down waste and reduce cost (Kroger, 2008). Kroger’s supply chain management is located near the top of the organization structure since the company as a whole has a strong emphasis on improving the supply chain to reduce cost and increase profit margins. Therefore the further up the organizational structure the supply chain management team is located the more optimally it will function and the greater the influence it will have on the decision making process (Burt, Petcavage, and Pinkerton, 2010).

Kmart has a number of goals which it incorporates together to satisfy its customer 's needs. The company has focused itself on producing high-quality goods with high durability and minimum costs. Most customers look at the high quality of commodities and they will be more willing to buy the commodities if they have low prices. The firm is constructing an image that customers can get goods a high quality and prices they desire. The firm is also targeting to make itself competitive. The company wants to beat most companies in this industry of retailing.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Aims and objectives Business ownership Culture Direct selling Ethics Factors of Production Growth Higher grades Insolvency Job advertisement Kellogg and the product life cycle Logistics Marketing mix New product development Organisational functions Pre-issued Case Studies Quantitative and Qualitative market research Recruitment Stakeholders Training Unseen Case Studies View all the latest www.tt100.biz Xchange ideas You ZZZZZZZzzzzz 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

During last two decades, the importance of logistics has been noticed around the world. In global markets, the effects and further developments of logistics and supply chain management for corporate success has increased significantly that result in a large amount of companies have taken actual benefits in logistics, such as reducing costs, enhancing customers ' satisfaction and increasing sales. However, some people are confused with the relationship between logistics and supply chain management. Therefore, this essay will argue that logistics management and supply chain management are not exactly the same in operations because of the scope where utilized and some specific activities are similar, but some are different. In the end, this essay will also talk about the reasons for logistics management is an important strategy to manufacturing or service companies.

It is known to us, “in each industry, the customer is god, is operator's food and clothing parents.” This tells us that customers are important to organizations. With the current intense competition in logistics nowadays, most companies can provide high quality goods, even are willing to cut down prices if reasonable. However, how can suppliers gain a competitive advantage when high quality is expected and price must be maintained at a level to generate a reasonable return? In our views, it is no doubt that how various supplier service activities are valued by customers, more specifically, that is, the ability of logistics

Supply management can be studied as both an instant field of practice and forming academic domain (Storey, Emberson, Godsell, & Harrison, 2006). It was eventually about influencing behavior in particular directions and in particular ways. The fundamental logics, drivers, enablers and barriers asset and exact close attention in supply management. Manufacturers, retailers, suppliers, and wholesalers are the members in supply chain. Supply chain management (SCM) is normally applying in integrated wholesaling and retail businesses (Wisner & Tan, 2000). SCM is comprehensiveness with logistics and physical distribution functions with reducing lead time of delivery. It is a comprehensive philosophy intent on management’s purpose to sustain or establish competitiveness in a quickly growing environment, through more able distribution, and purchasing activities (Cooper & Ellram, 1993; Giunipero &