S&OP Design and Implementation for a High-End Jewelry Retailer
Open Access
- Author:
- Eckert, Lauren Marie
- Area of Honors:
- Supply Chain and Information Systems
- Degree:
- Bachelor of Science
- Document Type:
- Thesis
- Thesis Supervisors:
- Dr. Robert Alexander Novack, Thesis Supervisor
Dr. John C. Spychalski, Thesis Honors Advisor - Keywords:
- S&OP
sales
operations
planning
integrated
business
supply
chain
jewelry
retailer - Abstract:
- The prevalence of Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) is expanding rapidly as an increasing number of companies begin to recognize the far-reaching benefits of a process centered on cross-functional collaboration and ensuring a balance between supply and demand. While the basic framework of S&OP is relatively consistent across many businesses — demand planning, supply planning, preliminary review, and executive review — there is no one-size-fits-all design that will optimize the performance of every product, in every business, and in every industry. This thesis will explore the failed implementation of S&OP at a specific high-end jewelry retailer, whose unique structure, emphasis on new product introductions, prioritization of aesthetics over operational efficiency, and lack of employee engagement, call for a specialized S&OP process. This dissertation will begin by addressing current best practices in S&OP as well as an overview of the company in scope and the high-end jewelry industry. An analysis will follow that outlines the root causes behind the unsuccessful adoption of S&OP at the retailer in scope and strategies to combat these setbacks. Finally, recommendations and a step-by-step S&OP process tailored to the needs of the retailer will be presented to ensure successful implementation and fruition of the benefits S&OP provides.