The main support functions within a manufacturing process include;
Quality Assurance – This is checking materials and methods to ensure that they align with the organisation’s standards.
Warehousing – Warehouses are buildings or sections of the organisation where materials are stored. These materials could be raw materials and assemblies waiting to begin manufacturing or final products waiting to be shipped to a customer.
Procurement – This is the function of obtaining the raw materials required for manufacturing.
Manufacturing Planning – This is the function of planning what needs to be manufactured and when it needs to be manufactured.
Human Resources (HR) – This ensures that the right people are brought into the business with suitable experience and relevant qualifications. HR is also responsible for the effective training of the people in the business.
Have you noticed that each stage of our trainer production process so far refers to other functions? This serves as a useful reminder that the links in a supply chain are not effective without the other parts.