[Abbreviations] Procurement Just-in-Time (JIT)
- Kriss Nakhon
- Jul 17, 2025
- 3 min read
Just-in-Time (JIT) in procurement activities, outlining key criteria, benefits, risks, and implementation steps:
JIT Procurement Matrix
(Focused on automotive/manufacturing supply chains)
Criteria | JIT Implementation | Benefits | Risks & Mitigations | Automotive Example |
Supplier Relationship | - Long-term contracts with trusted suppliers. - Collaborative forecasting (VMI). | Reduced lead times, lower inventory costs. | Risk: Supplier failure. Mitigation: Dual sourcing. | Toyota’s partnership with Denso. |
Lead Time Accuracy | - Real-time tracking (EDI, IoT). - Milk-run deliveries. | Minimizes stockouts/overstocking. | Risk: Transport delays. Mitigation: Buffer stock for critical parts. | Honda’s regional logistics hubs. |
Quality Consistency | - Supplier certification (IATF 16949). - Incoming inspection waivers (for certified suppliers). | Zero-defect materials. | Risk: Quality escapes. Mitigation: Statistical sampling. | Bosch’s JIT deliveries to BMW. |
Demand Stability | - Kanban/pull signals. - Shared production schedules (ERP integration). | Aligns supply with production needs. | Risk: Demand spikes. Mitigation: Flexible capacity agreements. | Tesla’s daily parts replenishment. |
Cost Efficiency | - Bulk discounts waived for frequent small batches. - Reduced warehousing costs. | Lower carrying costs. | Risk: Higher per-unit transport costs. Mitigation: Consolidated shipments. | Ford’s JIT for assembly line seats. |
Key JIT Procurement Activities
Supplier Selection
Criteria: Geographic proximity, proven reliability, IATF 16949 certification.
Tool: Supplier scorecards (OTIF, PPM).
Order Scheduling
Method: Kanban cards, electronic pull signals (ERP/MES).
Frequency: Hourly/daily (vs. weekly/monthly).
Delivery Execution
Mode: Milk runs, cross-docking, sequenced deliveries.
Tech: RFID/EDI for real-time tracking.
Inventory Control
Target: Near-zero raw material inventory.
Tool: ABC analysis (prioritize high-value parts).
JIT vs. Traditional Procurement
Factor | JIT Procurement | Traditional Procurement |
Order Quantity | Small, frequent orders. | Large, infrequent orders. |
Inventory | Minimal (days/hours of supply). | High (weeks/months of supply). |
Supplier Role | Strategic partner. | Transactional vendor. |
Flexibility | High (adapts to demand changes). | Low (rigid schedules). |
Risks & Mitigations
Risk | Mitigation Strategy |
Supply Chain Disruption | Dual sourcing, safety stock for critical items. |
Quality Failures | Supplier audits, inbound quality gates. |
Demand Volatility | Demand sensing tools (AI forecasting). |
Automotive Best Practices
Toyota Production System (TPS):
Heijunka (production leveling) + Kanban for JIT parts flow.
Tesla:
Gigafactory co-location with suppliers (e.g., Panasonic for batteries).
Volkswagen:
Modular Consortiums: Suppliers assemble modules on-site (e.g., seats, dashboards).
Implementation Checklist
Map all parts to JIT feasibility (ABC analysis).
Negotiate VMI (Vendor-Managed Inventory) agreements.
Integrate ERP with supplier systems (EDI/API).
Train staff on Kanban/pull systems.
Pilot JIT with 1-2 high-volume suppliers.
Performance Metrics
KPI | Target | Measurement Tool |
Inventory Turns | ≥12/year | ERP reports. |
OTIF (On-Time In-Full) | ≥98% | Supplier scorecards. |
Lead Time | ≤24 hours for critical parts | IoT/EDI tracking. |
Abbreviations with their full forms, associated records/forms, and intended results, optimized for automotive/quality management contexts:
Abbreviation Matrix for Automotive Quality & Procurement
Abbr. | Full Form | Record/Form | Intended Result |
JIT | Just-in-Time | JIT Delivery Schedules, Kanban Cards | Minimized inventory, reduced waste, on-time production. |
VMI | Vendor-Managed Inventory | VMI Agreements, Stock-Level Reports | Supplier monitors/restocks inventory, reducing buyer workload. |
EDI | Electronic Data Interchange | EDI Transaction Logs (e.g., PO/ASN) | Automated, error-free order processing. |
OTIF | On-Time In-Full | OTIF Scorecards, Delivery Reports | Reliable supplier performance (e.g., ≥98% compliance). |
PPM | Parts Per Million | Defect Logs, Quality Reports | Tracks defect rates (e.g., reduced from 500 PPM to 50 PPM). |
COC | Certificate of Conformance | COC Documents (Per Batch) | Ensures materials meet specs (IATF 16949 Clause 8.6.4). |
GR&R | Gage Repeatability & Reproducibility | MSA Reports, Calibration Records | Valid measurement systems (GR&R ≤10% for critical dimensions). |
FIFO | First-In-First-Out | FIFO Audit Checklists, Storage Labels | Prevents material obsolescence/expiry. |
MOQ | Minimum Order Quantity | Supplier Contracts, Purchase Orders | Balances cost efficiency with JIT needs. |
ERP | Enterprise Resource Planning | ERP System Logs (SAP/Oracle) | Real-time inventory/production tracking. |
RFQ | Request for Quotation | RFQ Documents, Supplier Bids | Competitive pricing, qualified supplier selection. |
SLA | Service Level Agreement | SLA Contracts, Performance Dashboards | Defines supplier response times, penalties for delays. |
RMA | Return Material Authorization | RMA Forms, Non-Conformance Reports | Streamlines defective material returns/credits. |
BOM | Bill of Materials | BOM Sheets (Engineering/Production) | Accurate part lists for procurement/production. |
OEE | Overall Equipment Effectiveness | OEE Dashboards, Downtime Logs | Measures production efficiency (e.g., OEE ≥85%). |
Key to Records & Results
Category | Example Records | Intended Outcome |
Procurement | JIT Schedules, VMI Agreements | Reduced inventory costs, on-time deliveries. |
Quality | MSA Reports, PPM Logs | Zero defects, compliance with IATF 16949. |
Operations | OEE Dashboards, FIFO Audits | Higher productivity, no material waste. |
Supplier Mgmt. | OTIF Scorecards, SLA Contracts | Reliable supply chain, minimized disruptions. |
Implementation Tips
JIT/VMI: Start with high-volume, predictable parts (e.g., fasteners, packaging).
EDI/ERP: Integrate with Tier 1 suppliers first for seamless data flow.
PPM/OEE: Track weekly to identify trends and trigger CAPAs.
Automotive Examples
Toyota: Uses JIT + Kanban to achieve <2 hours of inventory for some parts.
Tesla: VMI with Panasonic for battery cells (real-time stock updates via EDI).
Ford: OTIF targets of 99% for critical suppliers (e.g., brake components).
Need template links (e.g., SLA contracts, MSA forms) or sector-specific
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