OPS FPX 5620 Assessment 4 Collaboration Tools for Supply Chain and Operations Departments OPS-FPX5620 Supply Chain Foundations and Management Department Roles & Their Value in the Supply Chain

The project’s primary focus will be on three departments: marketing, sales, and purchasing, as these areas will offer the most significant benefits to the project. Their collaboration will ensure a smooth transition to the future state with minimal delays, helping Mainland Tools adhere to the proposed schedule. The following analysis will examine the internal and external roles of these departments and identify how they can enhance the supply chain.

Marketing

Internally, the marketing department is tasked with conveying the corporate message to foster employee engagement. This involves clearly explaining upcoming products with detailed messages covering ‘what’—the product to be sold, ‘why’—the customer’s need for it, and ‘how’—the product’s sales strategy. Sharing this information and ensuring transparency will help associates understand how their efforts impact the end goal. This insight will flow to other departments such as sales and purchasing. The sales team will be informed about the products and services to focus on, while purchasing will know which products to source and when. Externally, marketing’s role extends to shaping customer perceptions and guiding buying behaviors. By highlighting the benefits of new products, marketing educates customers on how these purchases can add value to their own organizations. For example, Coca-Cola’s advertising showcases the product prominently while offering a glimpse into the company’s broader value.

Sales

Sales associates represent the company and build relationships with customers. They reinforce and elaborate on the benefits communicated by marketing, drive cash flow, and contribute to business growth [ CITATION Gra16 \l 1033 ]. They are responsible for converting potential customers into actual ones and retaining existing business [ CITATION fiv \l 1033 ]. Internally, the sales team acts as a bridge to the outside world, providing feedback on whether the marketing approach and product offerings meet customer needs. They also forecast upcoming orders and coordinate with operations to prepare necessary materials and logistics, ensuring the best possible service to customers.

Purchasing

The purchasing department’s primary role is to source materials essential for production at reasonable costs, ensuring timely delivery and high quality. Like the sales team, purchasing must build strong relationships with vendors and suppliers to establish a reliable network. This department evaluates supplier performance, provides feedback, and drives improvements throughout the supply chain. By collaborating with sales and marketing, purchasing can proactively order materials expected to be in higher demand with the introduction of new products. Additionally, they communicate any potential delays to the sales team, providing them with information to relay to customers.

Forecasting Models

Forecasting methods generally fall into two categories: qualitative and quantitative. Qualitative forecasting relies on intuitive or judgmental evaluation when data is scarce, while quantitative forecasting uses historical data [ CITATION NCS11 \l 1033 ]. Effective forecasting enables an agile organization that can adapt to customer needs without frequent structural changes. For instance, improved accuracy in production and inventory control can lead to lower safety stocks and significant cost savings [ CITATION Joh71 \l 1033 ]. For Mainland Tools, a combination of the Sales Force Composite and Time Series Model is recommended. This approach will provide comprehensive information for better decision-making and planning.

The Sales Force Composite method gathers insights from the sales team, which acts as a conduit between the company’s internal activities and market responses. This method helps understand customer purchase intentions [ CITATION Ana09 \l 1033 ].

The Time Series Model analyzes trends, seasonal variations, and cyclical factors affecting customer demand [ CITATION Ana09 \l 1033 ]. This understanding helps internal associates prepare with appropriate materials at the right time, leading to increased customer satisfaction and reduced inventory costs.

Forecasting & Decision-making: Advantages of Increased Collaboration

Combining qualitative and quantitative forecasting methods enhances decision-making by providing a holistic view of the supply chain. This perspective helps management understand how actions impact various departments and anticipate potential consequences. Improved collaboration between departments facilitates information sharing and increases data accuracy. When departments work together and build strong interdepartmental relationships, the entire supply chain benefits. As discussed in Assessment 3, viewing the organizatio