This occupation is found in all organisational sectors and is a system of people, activities, information and resources involved in moving products or services from supplier to customer. Effective and dynamic supply chains are particularly important in fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) sectors, for example, food and drink, retail or consumables, where products have one or more of the following characteristics: high volume, fast turnover and frequently purchased. FMCG have a short shelf life, either as a result of high consumer demand or because the product deteriorates rapidly. In contrast, durable goods or major appliances such as kitchen appliances are generally replaced over a period of several years. Supply chain functions include procurement, forecasting, planning manufacture, customer service and logistics.
The broad purpose of the occupation is to move products or services from supplier to customer, ensuring customer satisfaction is achieved at all stages. The occupation can be in one or more supply chain functions, for example, junior demand planners will forecast customer demand. A junior supply planner will schedule factory production, a customer service operative will process customer orders and an assistant transport planner will work with hauliers and distributions centres to organise transportation and delivery. Supply chain practitioners will have a broad understanding of the entire supply chain and must strive to ensure their impact on each function offers best value for their organisation and internal and external stakeholders.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with internal and external stakeholders who are critical in ensuring supply chain effectiveness. Due to the high number of interactions both within and outside of organisations, strong relationship building, influencing, stakeholder management and communication skills are essential. Depending on the specialist focus of the occupation, an employee will interact with a range of internal stakeholders. For example, procurement managers, operations managers and manufacturing managers. Likewise external stakeholders can include haulage operators, customer procurement personnel and warehouse managers.
An employee in this occupation will be responsible for their supply chain functional role and must strive to deliver the best value for their business and customer. Due to the high number of interactions both within and outside of the business, they need strong relationship building, influencing, stakeholder management and communication skills alongside sound analytical, information technology and numeracy skills, with an ability to work in a fast-paced environment with frequently changing requirements. FMCG Supply Chain Practitioners will be able to progress to management or specialist roles.
| Duty | KSBs |
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Duty 1 Coordinate products and services through the supply chain. |
K1 K2 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K11 K12 K13 K14 K17 K18 K19 K20 K25 K26 K28 K30 |
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Duty 2 Ensure achievement of supply chain quality requirements. |
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Duty 3 Apply continuous improvement techniques to supply chain practice. |
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Duty 4 Apply a structured approach to solving problems within the supply chain. |
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Duty 5 Compile reports to support the supply chain function. |
K1 K2 K5 K6 K8 K12 K14 K17 K18
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Duty 6 Conduct supplier performance monitoring. |
K1 K2 K4 K5 K6 K7 K11 K12 K15 K17 K18 K23
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Duty 7 Use Data management systems to support supply chain operations. |
K1 K2 K5 K6 K8 K12 K17 K18 K23 K29
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Duty 8 Identify and manage risk that can impact on achievement of customer requirements. |
K1 K2 K5 K6 K7 K8 K11 K12 K14 K17 K18 K23 K24 K31
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Duty 9 Manage customer accounts to ensure payment is received in accordance with agreements. |
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Duty 10 Liaise with internal and external stakeholders to manage end to end supply chains. |
K1 K2 K5 K7 K8 K11 K12 K14 K17 K18 K27 K31
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Duty 11 Support inventory management activities. |
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Duty 12 Support end to end supply chain planning. |
K1 K2 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K11 K12 K14 K17 K18
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Duty 13 Identify and manage risks impacting supply chain operations. |
K1 K2 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K11 K12 K14 K17 K18 K24
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Duty 14 Comply with industry, organisational policy and governing legislation and regulations. |
K1: Characteristics and processes of the end-to-end fast-moving consumer goods supply chain.
Back to Duty
K2: Supply chain key performance indicators; inventory, forecast accuracy, plan attainment, customer service, vehicle utilisation, on shelf availability, waste, quality and value.
Back to Duty
K3: Principles of supply chain efficiency in the fast-moving consumer goods industry.
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K4: Legislation and policies that influence the supply chain.
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K5: The characteristics and specific needs of different customer groups, for example, Major Multiples, Wholesalers, Convenience , Value Retailers, Discounters, Ecommerce.
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K6: Data management systems and tools for the supply chain.
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K7: The principles of continuous improvement.
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K8: The principles of commercial and cost efficiencies in supply chain.
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K9: Types of logistics costs and their components, for example, Transportation costs, Inventory costs, Labour costs, Customer service costs, Storage costs, Administration costs.
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K10: Problem-solving techniques and the principles of root cause analysis: 5 whys and fishbone analysis.
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K11: The principles of capacity planning including, rough cut, resource requirement, capacity requirement, warehouse capacity, hauliers, logistics and resources.
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K12: The principles of strategic and operational decision making.
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K13: Limits of authority, when to escalate tasks and issues, and to whom.
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K14: The principles of forecasting.
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K15: Influences on customer and consumer demand: market trends, competitor activity and seasonality.
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K16: The use of data to inform decision making.
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K17: Factors that impact on supply chain planning: capacity, product life, for example, customer requirements - exclusive range or NPD, producing factory location, co- manufacturing, promo cycles, sustainability.
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K18: The principles of order capture and management.
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K19: Verbal communication techniques. Giving and receiving information. Matching style to audience. Industry terminology.
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K20: Written communication techniques. Plain English principles, Supply Chain terminology. Report writing.
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K21: Impact of the sector on the environment. Efficient use of resources. Recycling, reuse, and safe disposal of waste.
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K22: Principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace.
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K23: Quality assurance procedures and monitoring processes.
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K24: Methods of hazard identification and risk management.
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K25: Documentation: methods and requirements - electronic and paper.
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K26: Standard operating procedures (SOP). What they are and why they are important. What they need to cover and why.
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K27: Team working principles: personality types, roles within teams, organisational hierarchies.
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K28: Planning and prioritising techniques.
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K29: Information technology and digital: digital interfaces, email, Management Information Systems (MIS), spreadsheets, presentation, word processing, virtual communication, learning platforms, work collaboration platforms. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Cyber security.
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K30: Capacity planning techniques.
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K31: Customer needs: satisfaction considerations, lead times, service levels.
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K32: Awareness of health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance and impact on role. Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (CoSHH). Fire safety. Hazards and risks. Health and Safety at Work Act. Isolation and emergency stop procedures. Manual handling. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Safety equipment: guards, signage, fire extinguishers. Safety signage. Situational awareness. Slips, trips, and falls. Working in confined spaces. Working at height.
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S1: Manage the flow of fast-moving consumer goods products or services based on evolving and changing information.
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S2: Use standard operating procedures.
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S3: Support customers with supply chain enquiries.
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S4: Use IT systems for the supply chain; Company and customer systems. Applies cyber security and GDPR regulations and policies.
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S5: Use continuous improvement techniques in the fast-moving consumer goods supply chain.
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S6: Lead and participate in problem solving activities: 5 whys, fishbone analysis.
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S7: Use capacity planning to inform fast-moving consumer goods supply chain processes.
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S8: Apply team working principles.
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S9: Escalate issues and tasks.
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S10: Analyse data against supply chain key performance indicators to identify trends and themes that affect the fast-moving consumer goods supply chain.
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S11: Plan and adhere to customer lead times.
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S12: Use data analysis outcomes to inform decision making in the supply chain function.
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S13: Develop and implement a supply plan, for example, supply planning, production planning, demand planning, operations planning - logistics, commercial planning.
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S14: Use order management tools to capture customer orders.
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S15: Communicate with others verbally for example, colleagues and stakeholders.
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S16: Communicate in writing with others for example, internal and external customers, colleagues, and managers.
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S17: Comply with health and safety legislation, regulations, standards, and guidance.
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S18: Follow equity, diversity, and inclusion principles.
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S19: Apply quality assurance procedures.
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S20: Identify and document hazards and risks in the workplace. Apply control measures.
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S21: Record or enter information - paper based or electronic; risk assessments, handover documents, work sheets, checklists, and any legal reporting requirements.
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S22: Comply with sustainability principles and regulations including efficient use of resources, recycling, reuse and safe disposal of waste.
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S23: Identify, organise and use resources, including team members, to plan and complete tasks, with consideration for cost and quality.
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B1: Consider the impact on the environment when using resources and carrying out work.
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B2: Prioritise health and safety.
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B3: Contributes to equity, diversity, and inclusivity in the workplace.
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B4: Respond and adapt to work demands and situations.
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B5: Collaborate within teams, across disciplines and with internal and external stakeholders.
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Apprentices without level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this level prior to taking the End-Point Assessment. For those with an education, health and care plan or a legacy statement, the apprenticeship’s English and maths minimum requirement is Entry Level 3. A British Sign Language (BSL) qualification is an alternative to the English qualification for those whose primary language is BSL.
| Version | Change detail | Earliest start date | Latest start date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1 | Occupational standard, end-point assessment plan and funding band revised. | 06/08/2024 | Not set |
| 1.0 | Approved for delivery | 24/11/2017 | 05/08/2024 |
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