Que estratégias você pode empregar para reduzir o excesso de estoque sem afetar os níveis de serviço?

Una de las mejores estrategias para prevenir y reducir los excedentes de inventarios sin afectar el nivel de servicio , es la negociación con los proveedores al momentos de las compras. La mayoría de las compras de mercancía, de origen generan un excedente de inventario, porque las compras se hacen en factores de empaques y la distribución de la mercancía se hace en piezas en función de las necesidades del PDV. Por eso, desde que se genera la orden de compra, se debe de establecer con el proveedor las condiciones en las que se van a manejar los excedentes de inventario, ya sea una devolución,, un remate o una liquidación. Incluso se puede manejar una redistribución de excedentes de inventarios de acuerdo a los desplazamientos.

My education at Cal State LA in business administration and professional experience have equipped me to manage inventory effectively. To reduce excess inventory without impacting service levels, I recommend precise demand forecasting and just-in-time (JIT) practices to align inventory with immediate needs. Implementing automated systems for real-time tracking and regular cycle counting ensures accuracy and optimal reorder points. Lean inventory practices and increased order frequency further optimize stock levels. Collaborating with suppliers through vendor-managed inventory (VMI) and integrating sales and operations planning (S&OP) enhances flexibility and responsiveness, maintaining high service standards.

While JIT strategies are effective, unpredictable events can expose their vulnerabilities. Implementing Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) can address these issues by sponsoring collaboration between sales, marketing, and operations. S&OP aligns demand forecasting with inventory management, ensuring that all departments work together to balance supply and demand. Maturing the S&OP process involves gaining buy-in and ownership from sales and marketing teams. This collaboration improves demand accuracy and allows for more responsive inventory adjustments.

Here is JIT in retail: Today, my team successfully fulfilled two just-in-time prescription orders. We avoid unnecessary stock, especially for products with sporadic demand (like these, needed once or twice in 6-12 months). To ensure a seamless JIT process: 1. Sales reps must reassure clients of timely fulfillment (based on SOPs and feedback from "SC"). 2. You also need a responsive back-office inventory team. 3. Align JIT orders with routine logistics to minimize operational costs and maintain efficiency. I'd advise using JIT only for products with unpredictable demand and in cases where supplier relationships and logistics are strong and efficient. Better to use JIT than carrying excess inventory solely to prevent stockouts of such items.

Just-in-Time (JIT) inventory strategy can drive significant cost savings and operational efficiency, but it requires a reliable, well-coordinated supply chain. JIT aligns raw material orders with production schedules to minimize excess inventory. However, it demands precise planning and communication with suppliers to ensure materials arrive just-in-time, avoiding stockouts that could disrupt service levels. Implementing JIT necessitates a deep understanding of demand patterns, supply chain agility, and the ability to quickly respond to changes. While JIT reduces inventory burden, it places a heightened focus on maintaining consistency and visibility across the network.

According to tech progress, a lot of companies still using “old” inventory methods, while new, technologically methods like including AI, could improve it cheaper and better in long run, even when it demands some trainings and investments.

ABC analysis is a powerful inventory management technique that categorizes stock based on importance. 'A' items are the most valuable, requiring tighter control and optimization to minimize capital tied up in inventory. 'B' and 'C' items can have more relaxed stocking policies. By focusing efforts on the highest-value 'A' items, organizations can drive significant efficiency gains. This selective approach ensures resources are directed where they have the greatest impact, reducing overall excess inventory levels. The ABC method empowers companies to make informed, data-driven decisions that balance inventory investment with customer service levels, ultimately improving supply chain performance and profitability.

Sharing demand forecasts and sales data empowers suppliers to better understand your needs, enabling them to adjust production and delivery schedules accordingly. This result in reduced lead times and more flexible order quantities, preventing excess inventory without compromising service levels. By aligning with suppliers, organizations gain the agility to quickly respond to market changes and fluctuations in demand. Cultivating these strategic relationships facilitates the free flow of information, allowing for synchronized planning and optimization across the entire supply chain. Ultimately, close supplier collaboration is a powerful lever to drive inventory consistency, responsiveness, and overall operational efficiency.