How to Manage E-Commerce Supply Chain

Introduction

Welcome to another episode of the Supply Chain Show! Today, we have an exhilarating topic lined up: managing the e-commerce supply chain. Joining us is Haseeb, a young yet accomplished professional driving the supply chain for a notable US brand, and currently managing over 20 e-commerce brands. He brings to light the complexities and the innovation behind efficient supply chain management. Let’s dive into Haseeb’s journey and insights.

Getting Started in E-Commerce Supply Chain

Haseeb, a mechanical engineering graduate, ventured into the e-commerce domain three years ago. His journey began with a major opportunity to work with one of America’s most reputable brands. This experience revealed the significant gaps in the industry, propelling him to specialize in supply chain management for e-commerce.

Currently, Haseeb manages over 20 brands with a combined monthly revenue of $ 10 million and more than 1,000 SKUs. His work focuses on inventory management, demand planning, sourcing, and fulfillment, critical for any brand thriving on platforms like Amazon, Walmart, and Shopify.

From Engineer to E-commerce Supply Chain Expert

Haseeb’s transition from a mechanical engineer to an e-commerce expert is fascinating. Starting on Upwork, he attracted a company interested in his e-commerce knowledge. Despite his mechanical engineering background, the amalgamation of technical and e-commerce skills enabled him to excel. This led to opportunities with Amazon aggregators and other international companies. Through rigorous training, he has even developed a team specializing in e-commerce supply chain management.

Killing Manual Processes and Embracing Automation

One of Haseeb’s unique selling points is his emphasis on eliminating manual processes through automation. He collaborates with companies providing specialized e-commerce inventory management tools, converting cumbersome tasks into streamlined processes. When clients have budget constraints, he leverages Excel and Power BI to provide similar efficiencies.

However, successful automation requires standardized processes. Standardizing and then digitizing these processes help companies achieve significant time savings and error reduction.

Challenges Faced and Overcoming Them

When managing supply chains, two key challenges consistently present themselves:

Creating Effective Training Programs: Implementing new systems necessitates rigorous training across departments to ensure everyone follows the updated processes.
Maintaining Control and Oversight: Post-implementation, consistent monitoring and control are essential to maintain system integrity and efficiency.

Another challenge Haseeb faces is hiring appropriately skilled talent. Many professionals are accustomed to outdated methods like basic Excel forecasting, creating a challenge in finding ready-to-go personnel with advanced e-commerce supply chain management skills.

Future Vision

Haseeb has ambitious goals. His vision includes educating e-commerce sellers on the significance of supply chain management and solving business problems in this domain. With the e-commerce sector burgeoning in Pakistan, he aims to create tailored service environments and product solutions addressing local challenges.

To sum up, Haseeb’s journey and strategies present a roadmap for successfully managing an e-commerce supply chain. He emphasizes the importance of automation, standardization, and continuous education as crucial components driving efficiency and growth in the supply chain ecosystem.

Keywords

Supply Chain Management
E-commerce
Inventory Management
Demand Planning
Fulfillment
Automation
Standardization
Digitalization
Sourcing

FAQ

Q1: What are the primary areas Haseeb focuses on in e-commerce supply chain management?

Haseeb focuses on demand planning, inventory management, sourcing, and fulfillment.

Q2: How does automation benefit e-commerce supply chain management?

Automation eliminates manual processes, reduces errors, saves time, and increases efficiency in demand planning and inventory management.

Q3: What challenges are commonly faced in managing e-commerce supply chains?

Key challenges include creating effective training programs for new systems and maintaining control and oversight of these systems post-implementation.

Q4: How does Haseeb integrate his mechanical engineering background into e-commerce supply chain management?

His technical skills complement his e-commerce knowledge, allowing him to effectively implement automation and efficiency-improving tools and systems.

Q5: What is the long-term vision for Haseeb’s e-commerce supply chain management initiatives?

Haseeb aims to educate e-commerce sellers on supply chain importance, create tailored service environments for Pakistani market needs, and continue solving business problems in this domain.