At an international producer of convenience food, with multiple production locations and a dynamic demand from retail and foodservice, the alignment between supply and demand was under increasing pressure. Strong growth, increasing dynamics in assortment and customer demand and limited predictability were creating tension in service levels, inventory and capacity. The need arose to structurally strengthen S&OP and embed it more firmly in the organization.
We started with an in-depth S&OP assessment, integrally reviewing processes, organization, tooling and governance. By analyzing the existing demand and supply planning process and benchmarking it against best practices, we identified key bottlenecks and opportunities for improvement. Based on this, we developed a future-proof S&OP blueprint, with clear roles, processes, KPIs and supporting tooling. The translation to realization was central: with a concrete roadmap and implementation approach, including change management, we gave direction to the next phase.
The result is not only greater insight into current performance and areas for improvement within S&OP, but especially a solid foundation for better supply chain management. With an integrated S&OP process and improved coordination between commerce, supply chain and production, more grip is created on forecast accuracy, service levels and working capital. The combination of clear priorities, quick wins and a clear roadmap enables the organization to focus on a scalable and future-proof operation.
