Service Level Updates
We thank you for your partnership and your efforts to fortify the supply chain during these unprecedented times. We invite collaboration to ensure that our facilities always have the highest impact item assortment. Your assistance in this process allows us to procure and distribute with the confidence that we will satisfy our mutual customers.
Please
continue to provide constant communication on shortages to your SRM, your
Buyer, and the Supplier Pandemic Planning alias at supplierpandemicplanning@unfi.com.
Here are some valuable subjects you should keep UNFI aware of:
- Brands/Items of Concern
- Updates should include issues your company is facing in production, your plan of action, and a full recovery date.
- Long Term Out of Stocks (LTOOS) Items
- UNFI defines LTOOS items as those that cannot be purchased for four weeks or more.
- Seasonal Items
- Provide information on items that typically receive a significant spike in sales during the holiday months. Are you able to provide the same amount of product as in previous years? More? We also invite offers of other seasonal items that could be a good fit for UNFI.
- Creative Solutions
- These could take the form of greater order lead times, fewer and larger orders, or standing orders for shipment as soon as product may be available. Please provide lists of items that UNFI may not carry extensively or at all where you have additional inventory.
- SKU Rationalization
- This could be within your own production or within UNFI's facilities. Please provide information on items that have been de-emphasized or discontinued, either permanently or temporarily, to focus on production of higher-volume items. UNFI strives to ensure that critical and higher-volume SKUs within our distribution centers are maintained while lower impact SKUs are actioned appropriately to minimize service level lapses. We welcome your input as you know your products and challenges better than anyone.
Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) Updates
An
updated list of UNFI Supplier Relationship Managers (SRMs), contact info, line,
and category assignments can be found here on
UNFI’s Supplier Support Site.
New Team Member
We are
pleased to announce that Sarah Callendar has joined the SRM team reporting to
Amie Thayer. Sarah has been with UNFI
for six years in many departments including Customer Care and Procurement. Sarah will be handling categories that
include Frozen Desserts, Frozen Bread and Baked Goods, Deli Prep Food, In Store
Fresh Bakery, Frozen Bulk Entrees, and Chill Dairy & Non Dairy Single Serve
Beverages.
Procurement Team Updates
An
updated list of UNFI Procurement Team contacts and assignments can be found here on UNFI’s Supplier Support Site.
Accounts Payable (AP) Updates
An updated
list of AP contacts and assignments can be found here
on UNFI’s Supplier Support Site.
Sales Team Contact Updates
An updated
list of Sales Team contacts can be found here
on UNFI’s Supplier Support Site.
Transportation and Logistics Update
On
October 3rd, the UNFI Logistics Team will complete a major milestone
in our ONEUNFI strategy by deploying our Transportation Management System (TMS)
into all Conventional DCs. This is an
exciting and critical step to streamlining and standardizing several processes
across the supply chain. While the
impacts to our Supplier community will be limited, one important change to be
aware of is Dock Scheduler via SV Harbor will be decommissioned during this
transition. After October 3rd,
all inbound delivery appointments will be scheduled through the National
Inbound Logistics Master Scheduling Team.
See here for valuable information on
appointments and below for FAQs.
- How do I request appointments at a UNFI Distribution Center?
- Please review the list of e-mail addresses that you can contact to set up an appointment found on UNFI’s Supplier Support Site.
- What information do I need to provide when requesting an appointment?
- Please provide a PO number along with the date and time you wish to deliver. Keep in mind that appointment requests must be submitted a minimum of 72 hours prior to requested appointment date and time.
- How long will it take for me to receive a response?
- Appointment requests submitted by 2pm (local time, based on where you are delivering) will be responded to during the same business day. Appointment requests submitted after 2pm will be responded to the following business day. Appointment confirmations will be autogenerated by UNFI's TMS and will be sent from TMSAPP@UNFI.com.
- What should I do if I am given an appointment that does not work for me or my carrier?
- Appointments are prioritized based on a number of factors including expected date, inventory position, and customer committed orders. We will provide you with the most optimal appointment time based on your request and these factors. If you cannot make your appointment time, you can request a reschedule. Please keep in mind, rescheduling appointments require a minimum of 24 hours’ notice.
- Are there any other ways I can schedule an appointment?
- Not at this time. You must send an e-mail to your respective Master Scheduler to set up an appointment. In the near future, we will release information regarding the UNFI Scheduling Portal via myUNFI.
Spark Meetings – Now Available for NorCal
Beginning in December, we are expanding Spark meetings to NorCal (ROC/GIL/GLY). The meetings are currently planned as virtual due to COVID. They are a great way to drive incremental sales for your brand. The webinar-based meetings will include the independent sales team for the NorCal region. We are continuing to offer virtual Spark meetings in the Atlantic, South, and Central regions.
For
additional information, please reach out to Wyneth Emmons at wemmons@unfi.com.
