Supply Chain and Logistics Questions and Answers Flashcards
6 cards from real Walmart practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Supply Chain and Logistics Questions and Answers flashcards as text
What is the role of a distribution center (DC) in Walmart's supply chain?
Answer: To receive products from suppliers, sort them, and redistribute to stores in the most efficient manner
Distribution centers are the critical link between suppliers and stores, enabling efficient product flow at scale.
What is 'cross-docking' and why is it a key part of Walmart's logistics strategy?
Answer: Transferring products between shipping docks without storing them in the warehouse
Cross-docking moves products directly from inbound to outbound trucks, minimizing storage time and handling.
A truck carrying perishable goods has a refrigeration unit failure during transit. What should the driver do?
Answer: Immediately contact dispatch, stop at the nearest safe location, and follow the cold chain protocol for temperature excursion
Food safety requires immediate action when the cold chain is compromised, following established protocols for temperature excursions.
What does 'supply chain visibility' mean and why does Walmart invest heavily in it?
Answer: The ability to track products in real-time from supplier to store shelf using technology like RFID, GPS, and data analytics
Supply chain visibility enables proactive management of inventory flow, reducing surprises and improving decision-making.
What is the 'bullwhip effect' in supply chain management?
Answer: The amplification of demand variability as it moves upstream from consumer to manufacturer, causing increasingly larger swings in orders
The bullwhip effect causes upstream supply chain partners to experience exaggerated demand swings, leading to overstock or shortages.
Why does Walmart operate its own fleet of trucks rather than relying entirely on third-party carriers?
Answer: Owning the fleet provides control over delivery schedules, service levels, costs, and the ability to optimize routes for their specific network
A private fleet gives Walmart direct control over a critical operational capability, ensuring reliability and cost efficiency.