Product recalls impact all departments within an organization, but those working in supply and distribution will feel the effects more than most. The truth is, recalls influence every aspect of a supply chain, from sourcing materials and ingredients to distributing products to retailers and customers.

 

As we continue our 12-part series about the impact of product recalls on organizations, we examine the challenges faced by supply and distribution departments in various sectors.

 

What Does a Supply and Distribution Department Do?

Supply and distribution (or distribution management) departments source materials and ingredients and distribute products to retailers and customers. Many organizations have intricate supply chains that facilitate all the tasks associated with getting products to market. A product recall notice from the FDA (or another government department) can disrupt every aspect of these supply chains, often without a moment’s notice.

 

Imagine the scenario: The FDA issues a notice that an ingredient you source from a supplier is dangerous and could put lives at risk. You have days, perhaps just hours, to take action. If you don’t, you could face thousands of dollars of fines. Or, even worse, put customers at risk.

 

After a recall notice, you might communicate with your supply and distribution team, who sourced the dangerous ingredient in the first place. It’s their job to notify suppliers, warehouse staff, and other people and halt distribution until you safely remove the dangerous ingredient from supply chains.

 

This is a monumental challenge, especially if you rely on outdated software or, worse, manual methods.

 

The Challenges of Product Recall Management for the Supply and Distribution Team

Your supply and distribution team will face many challenges during the product recall management process. Supply chains are intricate and complex and involve many moving parts. A contaminated ingredient could have found its way into many different products, and these products could already be on their way to retailers.

 

Some organizations use inadequate workflows and find it difficult to pinpoint where a dangerous material or ingredient originated from. Outdated software and manual methods make this problem worse.

 

Technology exists that helps supply and distribution employees manage product recalls more effectively. This technology speeds up recall response times considerably, so you avoid fines and safeguard the general public.

 

How Supply and Distribution Teams Can Speed Up Recall Responses

Use recall reports

Recall reports let supply and distribution teams quickly identify which retailers and customers receive recalled products. This makes it easier to remove recalled products and respond to recall notices.

 

On the flip side, recall reports let teams identify where recalled products, ingredients, and materials originated from in the first place. Teams can communicate with these suppliers and remove dangerous items from supply chains and warehouses.

 

To successfully execute recall reports, supply and distribution teams need software they can trust. Manual methods result in human error, which could make the problem worse.

 

Communicate with other departments

Communication is crucial during a product recall. Supply and distribution teams that want to improve recall responses should communicate with other departments within their organization clearly and quickly. These other departments include:

 

  • Legal teams
  • Customer service teams
  • Product management teams

 

Teams should share recall notices, lot numbers, batch numbers, and other information that expedite product recall responses.

 

Use a product recall management system

Using a product recall management system is, by far, the most effective method for speeding up recall response times. These platforms keep all recall information in one place so supply and distribution teams can access vital data when the clock is ticking.

 

Not all recall management platforms are the same, however. Organizations should invest in one that safeguards sensitive company information like batch numbers and customer details, preferably in a secure cloud environment.

 

Trievr improves recall communication times for any supply and distribution department with a suite of smart tools such as auto-reminders, recall templates, real-time reports, and real-time dashboards. This on-demand platform only charges you when you use the software, and there are no monthly/annual fees.

 

Trievr suits supply and distribution teams (as well as other departments) in almost any industry, including:

 

  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Chemicals
  • Medical devices
  • Retail

 

Final Word

Supply and distribution teams face many challenges when it comes to product recalls. These employees must respond to recall notices quickly and take action that protects the public and adheres to government guidance. If they don’t, the consequences can be disastrous for your entire organization.

 

Investing in a product recall management tool like Trievr helps the supply and distribution department handle challenges associated with product recalls. Click here to learn more or try a live demo.