Rob Bingley

💡 The first step on the road to inventory accuracy must be the stores assessment. If this process is not carried out it will be impossible to set the base line for any improvement projects and to ultimately determine if any improvements have taken place. Some of the questions and a more detailed analysis of what should be included in this assessment are discussed later in this blog. ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gAFiXBBG Credit: VCARE Academy #supplychain #logistics #leadership #certification #sustainability #futureofbusiness #SupplyChainInnovation #FutureofLogistics #manufacturing #supplychain #ai #blockchain #machinelearning #robotics #sales #forecasting #supplychain #logistics #manufacturing #production #inventorycontrol #warehousing #sustainability #circulareconomy #demandplanning #ddmrp #salesandoperationsplanning

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I've had numerous conversations with senior supply chain leaders recently about the power of an interim/contract hire in a market like we find ourselves in - ambiguous, uncertain etc. Off the back of record results and high sentiment for consumer orientated supply chains through and post covid, it was only a matter of time before the results started to wain and the market began to contract. I believe Black Friday and Cyber Monday created an heigthened sense of where the year would finish, with organisations forecasting a strong Christmas result off the back of these sales. However, we saw changes in consumer buying behaviour whereby the consumer was bringing their Christmas spending forward to capitalise on the sales of Black Friday etc. This created over stocked businesses and an elevated forecast for the close of the year. Then cue the holding pattern whilst organisations consider their position and how they would end 2023. I saw numerous vacancies put on hold, re-shaped into more junior positions, absorbed into the business, unqualified internal candidates promoted for fear of losing them to the external market. This is where the interim/contract role could be advantageous, as a client or candidate. For a Client: 🔔 An opportunity to contract top talent where you may have been unable to secure further headcount, written into the budget as project fees is a great way to absorb this cost. 🔔 Acquire a candidate who may be seemingly "over qualified" for the position but who can hit the ground running given all their experience and affect the bottom line positively in quicker fashion. 🔔 Hire quicker - sometimes a structured permanent recruitment process becomes arduous and elongated and you could end up missing out. For a Candidate: 🔔 Diversity in remit of role and industry - taking a shorter length assignment may give you an upskilling in different industries and types of positions quicker than a permanent position. 🔔 Getting back into the workforce quicker - I have debated the pros and cons of this with a number of candidates and it could indeed be that a contract role could turn into a permanent role when new budgets are released. 🔔 Flexibility - this is mutually beneficial as the employer is assessing you of course but a contract role also gives you the opportunity to assess whether or not that organisation is right for you.

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💡 The first step on the road to inventory accuracy must be the stores assessment. If this process is not carried out it will be impossible to set the base line for any improvement projects and to ultimately determine if any improvements have taken place. Some of the questions and a more detailed analysis of what should be included in this assessment are discussed later in this blog. ➡️ Link of the article: https://lnkd.in/gAFiXBBG Credit: VCARE Academy #supplychain #logistics #leadership #certification #sustainability #futureofbusiness #SupplyChainInnovation #FutureofLogistics #manufacturing #supplychain #ai #blockchain #machinelearning #robotics #sales #forecasting #supplychain #logistics #manufacturing #production #inventorycontrol #warehousing #sustainability #circulareconomy #demandplanning #ddmrp #salesandoperationsplanning

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1 year on from stepping into the privaledged position of logistics director for a 175 year old business I sat and reflected (not like me) what the few learnings were. So hear goes…. 1) Supply chain and business is easy made difficult by people, agendas and unnecessary complexity. 2) leadership is simply about trying doing the right thing for your teams, often they won’t see things the way you do but back your judgement. 3) logisitcs supplier relationships are ALWAYS better underpinned by collaboration and not just procurement cycles. 4) be yourself, have fun and take the right things seriously and everything else not too seriously, work is just part of what you are on this earth to do! Massive thankyou to my teams for making me look good and my support network for challenging and encouraging me believe in myself. Nearly time for another peak 🤔

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So... (Yes its another of those posts- it is Friday) A few years ago I wanted some code which would be the user registration, login, password management etc. system to control entry into the utterly brilliant #velocplanning #productionplanning #supplychainplanning system. I duly paid a freelancer a few £thousand to create this and it's been ok. Today I realised it could probably do with revisiting, simplifying and updating... So off I went to one of the AI packages (Not ChatGPT - dodgy links with Israel!!!) and after about 30 mins of creating the instructions I now have a php file and the VB to manage the calling of it which, on testing, works pretty damn well. Looks like lower level coding is another area destined to be replaced by AI? Or should we merely look at these AI packages as more powerful tools for coders to use? Or will we reach the point where those with zero knowledge or experience of coding can do it entirely themselves, meaning that only those who code at the very high levels of AI itself remain? Thoughts? (No - I didn't use AI to write this post - its version was rubbish)

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Off fixture is still the best way to attract shoppers to new products, but I can’t help but think that the retailer guidelines have made this display marginally less effective and possibly increased the amount of cardboard required! Pre-filed displays on quarter pallets in Europe often have a raised base which helps: * Keep the amount of stock to a sensible level without the need for extra cardboard bumpers * Makes more of the stock reachable for shoppers without them needing to bend down * Creates a larger space for brand messaging to inform shoppers about why this new thing is worth buying Bonus points for anyone noticing the same minor irritation in the design that I haven’t mentioned ;-) #fmcg #npd #shoppermarketing

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Finishing a productive week here in Europe, after a quick pass through the Germany, Netherlands and Poland. It was great to visit and support our customers with their important demands. To me, the supply chain needs to be part of the solution. It's a challenge for us in supply chain management as we always expect the perfect scenario: stable demand and no delays. But the reality is often quite different. I believe that a supply chain leader can make a significant difference by always putting customers first.

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How to retain top Supply Chain talent   When speaking to supply chain leaders, it is evident across the board that companies are struggling to attract new talent, and as a result, retention of existing teams is becoming increasingly important.   Visibility of Career Progression: Provide regular career reviews to help develop weaknesses and build on strengths. This open communication style will allow both parties to indicate longer term career growth plans and internal progression opportunities. It will also allow you to address any processes that are currently not working effectively.   Mentorship: Select a relevant mentor from within the business for individuals to share experience and learn from. This can add value to employees from all levels of the business and will accelerate development. Reverse mentoring also gives visibility to senior leadership teams of operational issues that may not be apparent otherwise.   Change/ Transformation Experience: Aim to involve employees within project teams that focus on continuous improvement or larger scale transformational change. This allows them to have more of a strategic input into the operation and will help improve engagement.    People Management: Jigsaw TM are seeing a shortage of candidates within junior management positions. Exposure to people management is one of the main reasons that experienced professionals are looking to move to a new business. By offering leadership on internal projects, dotted line responsibility or management roles internally, you will be able to retain these experienced employees.   Flexibility: Following on from Covid, flexibility is still a key topic that is discussed daily. Where possible, hybrid working is still high on the agenda and is a key motivator when deciding on which business to join.   Jigsaw TM have seen an 11% increase in the volume of supply chain roles from Q1 to Q2, so it is increasingly important that companies are able to retain their employees in such a candidate short market. 

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🎯 Are you experiencing production stoppages due to poor supplier performance? Discover ⮞ CPIA Certification 🌐 https://lnkd.in/gMcmcFf4 💡 Businesses involved in manufacturing or distribution experience production stoppages due to poor supplier performance, and the number one reason why you fail to deliver to your customers on time and in full is your suppliers. Poor-performing suppliers are the most common reason for poor schedule performance, out-of-stock items, and long order delays. You have so many suppliers, so bad, and you must formulate a winning strategy to improve supplier performance. 🚀 Many manufacturing managers and suppliers believe that they do not have the insight into each other's production operations that they would need in order to overcome interruptions. The most effective strategy for dealing with this problem is to boost visibility among your suppliers. 🍁 VCARE Academy, Canada provides 100% practical education that teaches both the WHAT and HOW of supply chain operations. Credit: VCARE Academy  👉 https://lnkd.in/g2aFWZwA 💬 LIVE Chat with VCARE Academy and learn how they can help you improve your supply chain expertise, and at the same time, enhance your company’s supply chain capabilities. ⭕ WhatsApp: https://lnkd.in/g5F-_w-v  ⭕ Telegram: https://t.me/vcaresupport #supplychain #logistics #leadership #certification #sustainability #futureofbusiness #SupplyChainInnovation #FutureofLogistics #manufacturing #supplychain #ai #blockchain #machinelearning #robotics #sales #forecasting #supplychain #logistics #manufacturing #production #inventorycontrol #warehousing #sustainability #circulareconomy #demandplanning #ddmrp #salesandoperationsplanning

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Not the start of the morning I was hoping for. 😔 Our new van got its first taste of the road and unfortunately ended up with some light damage. As a team that prides ourselves on cleanliness and tidiness, this is definitely something we want to get sorted quick and back on road. But hey, life is full of unexpected twists and turns. 🔄 These little bumps in the road can throw all our plans up in the air. We're working hard to ensure a quick turnaround and get our van back out there in no time. #TeamworkMakesTheDreamWork #AdaptAndOvercome #StayPositive Keep pushing forward, and remember, setbacks are just setups for comebacks! #NewVanProblems #OnwardsAndUpwards

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The very much awaited Supply Chain Top 25 for 2024 has just been released Today.... I'd like to congratulate these organizations and teams for such amazing work and great initiatives to elevate the Supply Chain Profession- Well done! You can listen in to today's announcement here- https://lnkd.in/dXMvHN-N #gartnersc #top25 #supplychain

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Is Murphy a friend or a foe? Supply chain professionals are full of stories on how Murphy has hit them over all these years. Since these stories talk only about its negative impact, can someone really call Murphy a friend? Sounds pretty odd… Let’s think about it. The way Murphy hits us, it also hits our competitors at different times. If a competitor’s factory has a strike or is hit by a calamity, or their trucks break down, their products suffer a significant availability issue in the market place. Their stockouts are our gains, isn’t it? Do we give Murphy the credit for such windfalls? We normally don’t. It’s really the ‘Confirmation Bias’ at play which gives Murphy the bad name. If Murphy attacks are randomly distributed across various companies, facilities and processes, Murphy should be neutral... neither a friend nor a foe. Having said that, there is a way to befriend Murphy so that it benefits us more than the competition. Will cover it in my next post… #supplychain #design #Murphy #impact #competitors #availability #stockouts #windfall #confirmationbias #poogi #resilience #primenuggets

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https://lnkd.in/dwn95bam The Kardex Remstar blog provides best practices for warehouse management, focusing on optimizing space, increasing efficiency, and improving accuracy. Key strategies include regular SKU reviews, using bins and totes, batch and parallel picking, prioritizing with wave picking, ergonomic practices, and utilizing technology like ASRS and pick-to-light systems. These practices enhance organization, productivity, and safety in warehouse operations. For more details, visit the full article here. Tabitha Bowling, CSP

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Seeing the way business is going, we are constantly dealing with a wide variety of suppliers who often differ in region, background and scale. With so many different groups of people involved within a single operation, it is often tough to ensure that the complexity doesn’t affect the operation. Read my blog on the 2024 business outlook to have a better understanding of how businesses can tackle the changing consumer behaviors and economic landscapes.  https://lnkd.in/dWgVYMNY #BusinessOutlook2024 #SupplyChain

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Can anybody recommend an easy to use, yet effective warehouse inventory management system please? We need to keep track of stock levels of both raw materials and finished products. There seems to be an abundance of options out there but pinpointing the best match is proving frustrating

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Supporting growth, both at home and at work. Carrying my 4-year-old son on my back is a beautiful reminder of the journey we all take as we grow and develop. Just like supporting our little one(s) with a mix of security and freedom, the same goes for helping our teams thrive at work. In the workplace, it's all about finding that sweet spot between giving guidance and letting folks run with their ideas. When the risks are manageable, encouraging team members to take ownership of their tasks builds confidence and sharpens their skills in critical thinking, business & commercial acumens, and problem solving. Empowering teams goes beyond just delegation. It is about investing in individual growth. We need to continuously work on enhancing everyone’s capabilities and expanding personal capacity to allow the team to tackle new challenges and reach new heights. Let's keep creating environments where both our kids and our teams could Do, Learn & Shine. #growthjourney #empowerment #leadership #maximizepotential #teamsuccess #strongertogether

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🌟 Exciting News Incoming! 🌟 🎤 Get ready to dive into the heart of Supply Chain and innovation with our upcoming Podcast: Supply Chain Circle! 🚚💡 🔍 Whether you're a Supply Chain pro, or simply curious about how things in The Supply Chain could be, this is the circle you want to be in. Stay tuned as we unravel the mysteries and marvels of the modern supply chain landscape! #Shady_Aljacky #SupplyChainCircle #Supply_Chain_Circle #LogisticsInnovation #StayTuned

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Time agreement-a must for a Daily Stand Up meeting I’ve found a fantastic tool for a Daily Stand Up is a colour-coded-clock showing the time commitment. This is an agreement between all stakeholders to start the meeting on time, cover the required ingredients and finish on time. A simple way to start: 1.      buy a low cost clock with a plastic face 2.      using permanent markers colour in the meeting time in GREEN 3.      colour in RED an extention of an extra 5mins Regardless if the stakeholders find time challenging. Coming to a meeting with prior preparation, starting it on time, ensuring the meeting is effective and wrapping up on time (without the last minute rush) will give respect to the meeting process. Applying Time based commitments, whether a Daily stand Up or Project meeting, brings respect to the process and the people participating.

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