Service Level Updates
Promotional and Seasonal Forecasting
As we head into Q4 and the holiday season, it is imperative that you communicate any issues or shortages with both your Buyer and Supplier Merchandising Manager. As is noted in our Logistics SOP for Shipping and Handling, any purchase order shortages not communicated back to UNFI in advance may result in fees for unused trailer space. This communication must be sent to the Buyer and Specialist preferably 96 hours in advance of pickup, but no less than 48 hours. If item is shorted in full, a recovery date by item is required.
It is essential that you and your team read the SOP document as it contains all information related to getting product to the DCs efficiently.
No Call/No Show Loads
Deliveries not arriving for appointments has become a major issue. When an appointment is missed without advanced notice, it strains the supply chain greatly. Because we are at or near capacity in our DCs, these no shows without notice displace other suppliers needing appointments. This is completely avoidable by cancelling the delivery in advance. Fees for no call/no show loads are detailed in our Logistics SOP for Shipping and Handling, but please note that these amounts are being reviewed due to the tremendous strain extensive no call/no shows are placing upon our network, and in the end negatively affect our joint customers, the retailer.
Placarding
Lack of proper placarding of pallets from suppliers has proven to be a top cause of product being lost or not making it to its proper end destination. As explained in the Logistics SOP for Shipping and Handling, all shipments must be clearly labeled with the DC name at the top and the UNFI PO number beneath. This label must be placed on the bottom left corner, under stretch wrap on two opposite sides of the pallet. The pallet label must be no smaller than 5”x8”, preferably 8.5”x11”. This is very important as we consolidate freight for many of our divisions.
Steps Taken by UNFI
UNFI is working diligently to address service difficulties that have developed within our own DC network. In the current climate, we have run into challenges including capacity constraints in the DC, labor shortages in the DCs as well as with drivers, and assigning additional shifts or extended hours.
Each DC faces different circumstances, but all have been working to alleviate any issues. We have secured additional outside storage to combat capacity issues. We have refocused all recruiting efforts to focus exclusively on operations roles in addition to increasing wages, job fairs, and sign on and retention bonuses in attempts to expand our work force.
We appreciate your understanding and patience during this challenging time and are grateful for your partnership. If you have any questions about service level issues or difficulties at a DC, please reach out to your Buyer and Supplier Merchandising Manager.
Supplier Merchandising and Retail Merchandising
Adjustments are being made to our team structure to enhance our merchandising and supplier management teams. These teams will now operate across all UNFI channels, natural and conventional, as two levels of merchandising: Supplier Merchandising and Retail Merchandising.
With this approach, we can deliver one UNFI supplier experience to each supplier partner while also implementing merchandising plans and programs for our mutual customers.
The Supplier Merchandising team will work with you on new supplier set up and partner with you as a gatekeeper to position your company for success. The Retail Merchandising team will partner closely with the UNFI sales team and our mutual customer. Their focus will be developing comprehensive programming and promotions through the semester planning process.
With this change in structure, our UNFI partners are best positioned to develop go-forward strategies as we work together to continue improving our best-in-class food distribution supply chain.
At this time, nothing should change in your day-to-day interactions with UNFI. Over the next 6 to 12 months, a wide variety of changes will be underway to enable and support this initiative, and we’ll communicate with you on a regular basis any pertinent updates.
Product Safety Registration for Hazardous Materials at UNFI Conventional DCs
UNFI has partnered with industry leader Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. (UL) to provide regulatory product classification services for products shipped to our conventional distribution centers (DCs). UL’s WERCSmart platform will be used to collect product data, including product attributes, compliance criteria, and safety data sheets (SDS), for applicable regulated product categories supplied to UNFI.
If you are a supplier to our conventional DCs, you must register your applicable products and formulations within WERCSmart and upload a current product SDS. Registration of applicable products into the platform is mandatory. All products subject to hazardous chemical regulations must be registered and directed to UNFI by November 5, 2021. Due to this information’s importance, failure to comply with this process will delay the new product onboarding process and could result in removal of noncompliant products from UNFI.
Applicable product categories included chemical containing products such as over-the-counter health products, pesticides, aerosols, batteries, and other potentially hazardous-material products. A general list of applicable product categories can be found here.
Please contact Helen Buetow at helen.m.buetow@unfi.com with any questions or support needed to ensure timely WERCSmart compliance.
UNFI Climate Action Hub
Earlier this year, UNFI announced the UNFI Climate Action Hub: a project connected to our Better for All plan to catalyze and support the food system and beyond in scaling climate action across our entire value chain. Subscribe to receive occasional e-mail updates about the project. Contact climateaction@unfi.com with any questions or feedback.
Supplier Merchandising Management (SMM) Updates
An updated list of UNFI SMMs, contact info, line, and category assignments can be found here on UNFI’s Supplier Support Site.
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.
