Split demand by grade and application
List code, form, plant duty, accepted consumption and expected operating variation. Distinguish measured commercial use from preliminary supplier estimates.
Keep different grades separate even when they share a family name. A combined annual tonnage does not establish that one approved sample can replace every material across several processes.
Separate forecast and commitment
State which quantities are planning ranges and which become firm purchase releases. Agree ordering notice, shipment sizes, destination and delivery scope through the actual commercial arrangement.
Do not infer guaranteed capacity, stock or lead time from a general company profile. Ask which commitments can be confirmed for each code and period.
Match call-offs to storage and use
Use actual consumption, receiving capacity, unopened and partial-package handling and the supplier's product-specific usable-period instructions. Review peak demand and shutdowns.
A large discount can lose value if material cannot be stored or consumed appropriately. Keep stock rotation and lot identity visible rather than blending ageing inventory into newer material without a record.
Keep documents and changes controlled
Reference specification, preparation revision, package marks and required lot documents on each release. Agree how substitutions, method changes or packaging changes are reviewed.
The batch acceptance record preserves the connection to qualification. Define who can hold a shipment and how a suspected lot issue is investigated.
An annual supply planning sheet
For each code, record forecast range, release notice, shipment format, approved destination, usable stock target and unresolved commitment. Use actual supplier responses to close gaps rather than assuming the requested schedule is accepted.
Send the forecast through the repeat PAM supply enquiry. Keep contingency and any qualified second source code-specific. An annual discussion should support reliable ordering without becoming an unsupported claim of unlimited availability or guaranteed emergency response.
Call-off planning evidence
| Checkpoint | Evidence to retain | Decision boundary |
|---|---|---|
| Demand | Keep code-specific measured consumption, expected variation and plant use separate from provisional supplier estimates. | A total annual family tonnage does not prove interchangeable grades or unrestricted capacity. |
| Commitment | Distinguish forecast ranges, firm releases, ordering notice and confirmed delivery milestones for each code. | Requested schedules, stock claims and general lead-time descriptions are not automatically accepted supply obligations. |
| Inventory | Review usable storage, product instructions, rotation and a code-specific continuity plan with actual commitments. | A bulk discount is not reliable value if material cannot be safely received, stored or consumed in the intended period. |