Materials management is an important function
in a manufacturing or processing organization. Materials
stand for all the input resources required to manufacture
the finished product and deliver it to the customer. As an
engineer we know every manufacturing process involves hundreds
and thousands of items ranging from nuts and bolts to huge
assemblies in addition to the basic raw material. A typical
example of automobile manufacturer will help us gain a perspective
of material management function. Any automobile requires
hundreds of parts such an engine, body, frame, electrical
fittings, tyres, tubes, springs, shock absorbers and so on.
On the shop floor where production line is on and one vehicle
is delivered every five minutes, shortage of any particular
item or occurrence of damaged item calls for suspension or
halt of production and company suffers loss in thousands
of rupees for every single minute without any production.
Material management is the only function, which takes care
of timely availability of quality material/items ready for
the use on the shop floor. However it has to make a critical
balance between sufficient availability and overstocking.
So by the way of using statistical and quantitative techniques
material executives makes sure that only the required no.
of items are procured and made available.of rupees for every
single minute without any production. Material management
is the only function, which takes care of timely availability
of quality material/items ready for the use on the shop floor.
However it has to make a critical balance between sufficient
availability and overstocking. So by the way of using statistical
and quantitative techniques material executives makes sure
that only the required no. of items are procured and made
available.
Materials Management : By this
time you must have understood the criticality of the job
profile
of any materials executive.
Materials management also popularly known as sourcing department
is the rear end (marketing being the front end) of any organization.
This department engages with hundreds of vendors or suppliers
for the supply of items/materials as specified by the R & D
department & procure them as per the schedule informed
by production, planning & control department (PPC). This
department raises purchase orders and schedules, receives
quality material in the stores and issue items/material to
user departments upon written demand. This department also
ensures maintenances, repairs and operation related inventory
to take care of breakdowns and scheduled maintenance activity.
Entry Level
Managerial Posts :
Vendor Development
Engineer :
As mentioned earlier company
has hundreds of suppliers or vendors. These suppliers
or
vendors supply the items as per the design/drawing
submitted to them along with purchase order by purchase
department.
If item is of critical nature and company still wants
to out source it then sound technical supervision is
required
for the flawless production. Vendor development engineer's
role starts here. Vendor development engineer keeps
liaison with the supplier and R & D department. He also makes
sure that supplier has correctly understood the requirement.
If supplier has any difficulty in understanding the criteria
he can always depend upon VD engineer being the representative
of the company. If certain operations are difficult to perform
or wastage is being generated or cost is increasing then
VD engineer in consultation with R & D department try
to find solutions. Sound technical knowledge is the prerequisite
for VD engineers. Some time company develops new products,
which needs new parts. If existing suppliers are unable to
meet the demand then new suppliers are to be found or existing
suppliers need to be trained and upgraded to fulfill the
demand. This activity comes under vendor development profile.
Purchasing company here offers technical, financial support
to the supplier so that he can supply desired quality material
within reasonable cost and in quick time. Vendor development
engineer has to look after that manufacturing practices adopted
by supplier meets the quality standards adopted by the parent
company. He has to act as a vital link between purchaser
and supplier. In advanced and competitive market condition ‘just
in time’ is the buzzword. The policy of new age
lean companies to out source everything which does
not fit in
the core skill/strength category has put lot of responsibility
on VD engineers and these suppliers. Supplier's function
as an extended manufacturing facility of parent company
and VD engineers supervises the minute aspects of manufacturing
and delivery. VD engineer being the representative
of customer
enjoys great treatment and facilities. Those who love
traveling and want to pursue techno commercial career
Vendor Development
engineer is one of the best option available.
Purchase Executive
:
Purchase
Executive or engineer screen the indents, identify
the suppliers,
seeks quotations, finalize
the deals, raise the P.O., and ensure a timely delivery
of quality materials/products. These activities summarize
the
basic functions of any P.E.'s job. Purchase engineer
has to adhere to the purchase budgets and their performance
is
linked with cost cutting. Understanding of commercial
aspect like taxes, transportation, cost calculation,
budgeting is
a must prerequisite. Purchase engineer is also a techno
commercial post & has to coordinate with stores,
PPC, and indenting dept.
Training :
if you enter into company
as a trainee engineer then during induction program or
training period you are
posted at purchase dept. to get acquainted with the
activities and role of Purchase dept. If you show the
confidence and
will to be part of this dept. you certainly can get
posting as a Purchase Engineer. The other way is to do
MBA in Materials
Management or Operations Management. Post graduation
degree makes you most suitable for this job and you are
posted at
middle management level (Asst. Mgr. / Sr. Engineer).
If you are working in a manufacturing company in any
other department,
then you can pursue part time / distance education
from Indian Inst. Of Materials Management. They have
P.G. Diplomas, Certificate
courses for persons interested in seeking knowledge
of this field. If you are eyeing global career in purchasing
or sourcing
then there is CPM-Certified Purchase Manager Certification,
which is recognized worldwide. This certification is
awarded once you appear successfully for the examination.
Logistics :
Logistics in layman's language
is Transportation Management-Transportation and storage
arrangement for
raw materials as well as finished products. Logistics
executives
deal with transport vendors and other logistical
companies to ensure economical and timely supply, storage
of
goods. Scheduling, tracking the shipments, contracting
with
transporters & supervise
the quality of transportation is the job profile
of logistics' executive.
Payment :
Graduate Trainee
Engg. -Rs.1.20-1.80 per Annum
Mgmt. Trainee-Rs.1.80-3.60 per Annum.
Contact :
