You're struggling to maintain inventory levels. How can you communicate with suppliers to avoid delays?

I totally agree with this and practice it on a regular basis. Before an order is placed, I analyse the sales level of each product in relations to when the product was ordered. This allows me to understand the sales performance of each product over a period of time and also helps me in deciding the quantities to order. This is done seamlessly through the use of a reliable accounting and inventory software thereby enhancing timeliness of the process, and it also brings about efficiency and productivity.

Regularly evaluate your inventory levels to understand your stock requirements. Share this data with your suppliers to give them a clear picture of your needs and help them prepare better.

This boils down to data analysis of your inventory, as a warehouse expert you should be able to different, fast,slow and none moving SKUs and also be able to analyse stock movement and depletion, then apply NOS accordingly, apply never out of stock means for example I have 200 units of XYZ SKU in stock and from stock movement analysis 20 units of the SKU is depleted daily, this means in 10 days XYZ SKU will be out of stock, you can then set your NOS at 100 units, which means once my stock drops to 100 units I quickly raise a purchase order with supplier and follow up to ensure item is restocked within 3days..

If you are an „a“ customer then you have a very good chance to improve the performance by setting up regular review meetings to review the performance. Ensure that your runner and repeater parts are monitored in terms of supplier on time delivery. Also make sure that demand signals are triggered early and give enough time for transport and put away. It is also vitally important that lead times are accurate and aligned with the supplier. You can improve the performance e.g. by implementing frame contracts for runners or work with forecast / S&OP. Another option is to use VMI for runner items. So the supplier is responsible for managing your stock within agreed parameters.

Develop strong relationships with your suppliers. Regular communication, understanding their constraints, and working collaboratively can build trust and ensure they prioritize your orders.

Clearly outline your delivery expectations, including timelines, quantities, and quality standards. Ensure that both parties agree on these terms to avoid misunderstandings.

To communicate with suppliers and avoid delays, clearly state your inventory needs, provide accurate forecasts and lead times, establish regular communication, and discuss potential delays and contingency plans. This will help ensure timely deliveries and optimal inventory levels.

Implement inventory management software that can provide real-time updates to both you and your suppliers. Automated systems can help track stock levels, predict demand, and reorder supplies, reducing the risk of stockouts.

Technology is very important, on your WMS (warehouse management system) you can set and automatically generate Purchase orders for some certain SKUs, where a fast moving SKU depletes to a certain quantity it automatically notifies and generates invoice for supply

Have backup suppliers or alternative plans in case of unexpected delays or supply chain disruptions. This way, you can maintain operations even if your primary supplier faces issues.

Regularly review your inventory management processes and supplier relationships to identify areas for improvement. This could involve refining communication protocols, renegotiating terms, or exploring new technologies.