RCS Inventory & Supply Management 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which type of inventory count involves counting all items in the entire stockroom at one time?
- Cycle count
- Perpetual count
- Physical count (Correct answer)
- Spot check
Correct answer: Physical count
A physical (or full) count involves counting every item in inventory simultaneously, usually done periodically.
Question 2: A cleaning company wants to reduce the risk of supply shortages without overstocking. Which strategy BEST achieves this?
- Order in bulk once a year
- Maintain a safety stock buffer above the par level (Correct answer)
- Only order supplies after they run out
- Purchase only from a single supplier
Correct answer: Maintain a safety stock buffer above the par level
Safety stock acts as a buffer to cover unexpected demand spikes or supplier delays without the cost of excessive overstocking.
Question 3: What is the main advantage of using a digital inventory management system over a paper-based one for a cleaning business?
- It eliminates the need for physical supply checks
- It provides real-time tracking and reduces data entry errors (Correct answer)
- It automatically reorders supplies without human approval
- It legally protects the company from liability claims
Correct answer: It provides real-time tracking and reduces data entry errors
Digital systems offer real-time visibility into stock levels and reduce manual data entry mistakes.
Question 4: An RCS-certified cleaner notices a cleaning product's SDS (Safety Data Sheet) is missing from the storage area. What should be done?
- Continue using the product until a replacement SDS is found
- Stop using the product and obtain the SDS before resuming use (Correct answer)
- Post a general chemical hazard sign in place of the SDS
- Move the product to a locked cabinet and document the issue
Correct answer: Stop using the product and obtain the SDS before resuming use
OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard requires SDS documents to be accessible for every hazardous chemical in use.
Question 5: When evaluating two suppliers for the same cleaning product, which factor is MOST important beyond unit price?
- The supplier's company logo and branding
- Reliability of delivery timelines and product quality consistency (Correct answer)
- Whether the supplier offers a loyalty rewards program
- The physical distance from the supplier's warehouse
Correct answer: Reliability of delivery timelines and product quality consistency
Reliable delivery and consistent product quality ensure uninterrupted service and predictable performance.
Question 6: What is 'shrinkage' in the context of cleaning supply inventory?
- The physical reduction in product volume due to evaporation
- Unexplained inventory loss due to theft, waste, or error (Correct answer)
- The discount received for bulk purchasing
- Reduction in storage space due to consolidation
Correct answer: Unexplained inventory loss due to theft, waste, or error
Shrinkage refers to inventory loss that cannot be accounted for through sales or documented usage, often caused by theft, waste, or administrative errors.
Question 7: A cleaning crew is issued a week's worth of supplies at the start of each week. This supply model is known as:
- Just-in-time replenishment
- Periodic distribution (Correct answer)
- Continuous replenishment
- Vendor-managed inventory
Correct answer: Periodic distribution
Periodic distribution involves issuing supplies at set intervals (e.g., weekly) rather than based on real-time demand.
RCS Inventory & Supply Management 3
Which type of inventory count involves counting all items in the entire stockroom at one time?