When we faced inventory shortages due to supply chain disruptions, it prompted us to rethink our approach. We categorized materials into high, medium, and low-demand groups, maintaining higher buffer stock for critical items to ensure production continuity. We diversified suppliers using an e-procurement platform, evaluating them on KPIs like capacity, quality, cost, and delivery timelines for greater reliability. Aligning inventory forecasting with sales and marketing data improved accuracy, helping us prepare for new product launches or campaigns. These steps enhanced resilience, reduced disruptions, and kept production timelines on track despite challenges.

In my experience, overcoming inventory restocking issues to prevent production delays required a systematic approach. I first analyzed historical demand patterns, which helped in better forecasting and minimizing stock-outs. We implemented a just-in-time (JIT) inventory system, ensuring materials arrived exactly when needed, reducing excess stock. I focused on building strong relationships with key suppliers and identified backup options in case of delays. Automated inventory tracking systems and real-time monitoring gave us more control, while low-stock alerts ensured we avoided last-minute shortages. Adjusting reorder levels regularly based on production schedules helped keep the process running smoothly.

La única forma que conozco para minimizar estos efectos en las operaciones de manufactura y en general en cualquier tipo de operación de la cadena de suministro integrada, es la de contar con sistemas de gestión proactivos, es decir que se anticipen a las potenciales situaciones a enfrentar. La planeación anticipada de eventos históricos que han afectado al operación así como los leadtimes integrales de cada ciclo operativo - reabastecimiento de materiales, manufactura, distribución, etc - ayuda con este tipo de problemas. Los horizontes de planeación deben de abarcar entre tres y seis meses de anticipación para predecir la capacidad requerida además de los materiales y personal necesario. El modelo S&OP es de gran ayuda en este aspecto.