Role Analysis

Quick Tips to prepare for Supply Chain Management

Likely Companies where this role exists:
 Dalmia
 Dupont
 Ninja Cart
 Zomato
 Philips
 Flipkart
 Amazon
 Reliance Industries Limited
 Tata Consultancy Services
 Mahindra Logistics
 DHL Supply Chain
 Blue Dart Express
 Procter & Gamble (P&G)
 Aditya Birla Group
 Walmart India
 Infosys Consulting
 Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL)
 ITC Limited
 Asian Paints

Likely roles offered by these companies:

 Supply Chain Manager
 Logistics Manager
 Warehouse Manager
 Demand Planner
 Inventory Manager
 Operations Manager
 Supply Chain Analyst
 Project Manager (Supply Chain Projects)
 Vendor Relationship Manager

Questions about industry/sector:

These questions are important to prepare as a business graduate. Recruiters expect you to have holistic view of the
problem/role.

Industry Overview:
 Who are the major players in the industry?
 What is the CAGR of the industry, the size in India?
 What is their contribution to GDP?
 What is the industry size?
 What are the recent developments in this industry?
 What is the impact of lifestyle changes on the industry?
 What is the trend and growth potential of this business globally?
 Who are the major players in the different segments?
 Key challenges for the industry?
 Importance of R&D in the industry?

Business Model and Trends:

 What are the challenges of setting up a tech model?

This document has been created to provide you some guidance for quick preparation. The questions listed here are not exhaustive by any means and are not
unique/ specific to the mentioned companies. Also, companies are also indicative (not at all exhaustive) – they are used to provide you with better context for
preparation. Use your own judgment to prepare exhaustively. Do not circulate further – we have worked very hard to create this!
Role Analysis
 What do you know about the aggregator model?
 What are the major industry drivers in this business?

Supply Chain Management:

 Can you tell us about your understanding of our company's supply chain operations and challenges?
 Have you had any previous experience or exposure to our industry or similar supply chain environments?
 Provide an example of a supply chain improvement initiative or project that you think would be relevant to our
company?
 What do you see as the biggest supply chain-related opportunity or challenge facing our company currently?
 How do you think your knowledge and expertise in supply chain management can contribute to the overall success of
our company?

Questions about Role/Profile (Technical or Functional Questions):

These are direct role-based questions which one should be thoroughly prepared on:

Value Stream and Logistics:

 What is the value stream of a manufacturing process?
 What is the contribution of logistics in the value stream?
 What are the critical KPIs of supply chain & logistics in this industry?
 Major cost contributors in the logistics system?
 How can logistics KPIs be aligned with business goals?
 What do you know about 3PL logistic systems?
 What are the different automation techniques that can be implemented in the logistics domain?
 What are the different stages of S&OP like Product review, Demand, Supply review, Financial review, Pre S&OP, S&OP?

Logistics and Supply Chain Management Techniques:

 What is the difference between primary and secondary logistics?
 What do you know about SLA? What is the importance of SLA?
 Route Optimization techniques?
 What are the different forecasting techniques?
 Challenges in Logistics?
 Critical metrics of Logistics and warehouse management?
 What do you know about 5S?
 What is the difference between Push and Pull in the Supply chain?
 What is the contribution of logistics in the JIT model?
 What is the methodology to execute a Focused improvement project?
 What are the different vendor management techniques and methodologies to evaluate vendors?
 How many types of Waste are there in LSS – name them?
 What are the key strategies to be used in commodity sourcing?
 What are types of Logistics costs – what one has maximum savings potential?
 What are standard KPIs for a project – how will you measure them?
 What are the KPIs of a Supply chain manager in the Collection centre/Fulfillment centre/ Distribution Centre?
 What are the key resources of a warehouse?
 What are the different inventory management techniques?
 What is the importance of SOP?
 What are the different stages of SOP development and implementation?
 What are the different problem-solving techniques?
 How can vendor evaluation be done? What is its importance?
 What are the critical parameters for customer satisfaction?
 Challenges in Supply Chain?
 Critical metrics in Warehouse?
 What is the importance of SOP?
 How is the packing done SKU wise or customer wise?
 What is conflict, and what are the possible ways to manage it?

This document has been created to provide you some guidance for quick preparation. The questions listed here are not exhaustive by any means and are not
unique/ specific to the mentioned companies. Also, companies are also indicative (not at all exhaustive) – they are used to provide you with better context for
preparation. Use your own judgment to prepare exhaustively. Do not circulate further – we have worked very hard to create this!
Role Analysis
 What analytical tools are you proficient in?

Management and Leadership:

 What is your style of team management?
 What are the key drivers of planning and operations efficiency?
 How do you measure the effectiveness of a supply chain?
 What is the difference between logistics and supply chain management?
 How can the supply chain & logistics KPI be aligned with the business mission and vision?
 What are the different automation techniques that can be implemented in logistics/supply chain?

Legal Requirements and Experience:

 Cite some legal requirements of the manufacturing process like narcotics certificate in Pharma, pollution certificate,
etc.
 Share your experience with supply chain management and any specific projects that you have been involved in.
 How do you ensure effective coordination and communication with different stakeholders in the supply chain?
 Discuss the strategies that can be implemented to optimize inventory levels and minimize costs?
 How do you handle supply chain disruptions or unexpected events? Can you provide an example of a situation you
managed successfully?
 How do you assess and select suppliers? What criteria do you consider in the supplier evaluation process?
 Have you implemented any measures to improve supply chain sustainability and reduce environmental impact?
 How do you manage risk in the supply chain? What steps do you take to mitigate potential risks?
 Explain the role of technology and automation in supply chain management? How have you utilized technology to
enhance supply chain efficiency?
 Describe a time when you had to resolve a conflict or disagreement with a supplier. How did you handle the situation?
 What metrics or KPIs do you track to measure supply chain performance? How do you use this data to drive
improvements?
 How do you stay updated on industry trends and advancements in supply chain management?
 Discuss any experience you have with implementing lean principles or continuous improvement initiatives in the supply
chain?
 How do you foster collaboration and build strong relationships with internal teams, such as procurement, production,
and logistics?
 Have you worked with any supply chain management software or tools?
 How do you use forecasting techniques to determine demand and plan production levels?
 Explain the concept of lead time and how it affects supply chain planning?
 Have you used any inventory management systems? How do you optimize inventory levels and ensure efficient stock
replenishment?
 What is a transportation management system (TMS)? How do you optimize routes and manage carrier relationships?
 What is the importance of demand planning in supply chain management? How do you ensure accurate demand
forecasts?
 Have you utilized any supplier relationship management (SRM) tools or techniques? How do you assess and manage
supplier performance?
 Discuss your experience with using ERP systems in supply chain management?
 Can you explain the concept of total landed cost? How do you calculate and analyze it?
 What are warehouse management systems (WMS)? How do you optimize warehouse operations and ensure efficient
order fulfillment?
 What is a demand-driven MRP (material requirements planning) system? How does it differ from traditional MRP?
 What are some of the supply chain optimization tools, such as network design software or simulation models?
 How can you ensure compliance with regulations and standards in supply chain management, such as customs and
trade regulations or environmental regulations?

Case/Situation Based Questions:

 You work for a retail company, and there has been a sudden surge in demand for a particular product. The supplier is
unable to meet the increased demand within the required time frame. How would you handle this situation to ensure
customer satisfaction?

This document has been created to provide you some guidance for quick preparation. The questions listed here are not exhaustive by any means and are not
unique/ specific to the mentioned companies. Also, companies are also indicative (not at all exhaustive) – they are used to provide you with better context for
preparation. Use your own judgment to prepare exhaustively. Do not circulate further – we have worked very hard to create this!
Role Analysis
 A key supplier in your supply chain has recently faced a labour strike, causing disruptions in the supply of critical
components. How would you mitigate the impact of this supply chain disruption and maintain production?
 Your company has identified a potential risk of supply chain disruptions due to natural disasters in a specific region.
What proactive measures would you take to manage and mitigate this risk?
 Your company is considering implementing a vendor-managed inventory (VMI) system with one of its key suppliers.
Outline the benefits and challenges of implementing VMI, and discuss how you would successfully implement and
manage this system.
 Your company has launched a new product with a short product lifecycle. How would you manage the supply chain to
ensure timely production, minimize excess inventory, and avoid stockouts?

Things to highlight from CV/Profile

This helps make your CV more relevant to the role, helping with shortlists
Project Management:
 What is a GANTT Chart?
 What is a PERT Chart?
 Problem-solving tools like WHY, FISH BONE?
 What are the components of Project Charter?
 What are the different metrics for stakeholder management?

Cost Components and Operational Excellence:

 What are the different cost components like understanding of Utility expense (Fixed & Variable cost)?
 Operational Excellence - CTQ model, Pareto analysis, DMAIC process?

Supply Chain Components:

 Detailed understanding of different components of Supply chain like Demand Planning, Supply Planning, logistics?
 What do you know about value stream?
 Inventory management techniques - EOQ, ABC model?

Professional Experience and Achievements:

 Experience in project management.
 Quality completion certification if any.
 Logistics/sourcing related experience.
 Positions of people managements or projects done when you collaborated with multiple teams.
 Analytical solutions in projects in which you have used excel tools.
 PORs where team management and cross-functional team management skill are shown.
 Internship projects showing achievement in capacity planning, supply chain strategy, forecasting.
 Achievement/responsibilities which show a high level of personal integrity.

Achievements and Certificates

 Awards/certificates in debate, speech. Activities like Toastmasters club.
 ERP and Analytical Tools: 20. Basic understanding of SAP (material management), ERP like purpose, etc.?
 What do you know about some of the analytical tools like Tableau, Power BI? Purpose of the tools?

This document has been created to provide you some guidance for quick preparation. The questions listed here are not exhaustive by any means and are not
unique/ specific to the mentioned companies. Also, companies are also indicative (not at all exhaustive) – they are used to provide you with better context for
preparation. Use your own judgment to prepare exhaustively. Do not circulate further – we have worked very hard to create this!