Brian Shepherd: Warehouse Manager For Anixter Inc.

Introduction

The ultimate goal of any organization is to satisfy the customer. Long term survival of an organization is dependent on how efficiently they can supply their customers. Operations and supply chain management are critical core functions used to produce and provide goods and services for customers. Although both Operations and supply chain management depend on each other, their functions are different and can become rather complex and detailed when taking into consideration all the various elements involved in creating a single product. This paper will examine the importance of operations management in moving products/services through the supply chain to the end user (Jacob & Chase, 2013).

Supply Chain Interview The interviewer contacted Brian Shepherd, Warehouse Manager for Anixter Inc., to discuss the company’s approach to Supply chain management. The discussion began with Mr. Shepherd providing a brief overview of what the company does. The company manages electrical material and equipment for Georgia Power. Basically, when Georgia Power wants to build, modify, or upgrade a substation they submit a requisition for the supplies needed to complete the job. Once Anixter receives the requisition the action begins. We pick, package, and deliver

Mr. Shepherd (personal communication, 2016) explained that the products are ordered from several vendors at the request of Georgia Power. The products are delivered to Anixter’s McDonough, Georgia warehouse location. Once Anixter receives them they are off loaded, inventoried and logged into the property management system, until the customer submits a requisition. The small items are stored in the warehouse and the larger items are stored outside in a large yard. The process to move the goods out begins when a requisition is received from our customer, Georgia Power, requesting items for a project. The items are picked, audited, wrapped, loaded and shipped (B. Shepherd, personal communication,