Elements and Performance Criteria

Context

This unit of competency includes all such items of equipment and unit operations which form part of the stock control system. For your plant this may include (select relevant items):
enterprise inventory system, which may be paper or computer based
enterprise inventory practices and procedures
production planning and scheduling.

Typical problems for your plant may include:
stock discrepancies between inventory system and actual stock on hand
deviations from supplier contracts/performance agreements
stock control and production planning discrepancies.

OHS
The identification and control of hazards and the application of OHS are to be in accordance with current, applicable legislation and regulations, and company

Assessment context and methods
Assessment for this unit of competency will be on an operating purchasing system. The unit will be assessed in as holistic a manner as is practical and may be integrated with the assessment of other relevant units of competency. Assessment will occur over a range of situations which will include disruptions to normal, smooth operation.
Simulation may be required to allow for timely assessment of parts of this unit of competency (eg, element 5). Simulation should be based on the actual plant and will include 'walk-throughs' of the relevant competency components. Simulations may also include the use of case studies/scenarios and role plays.
This unit of competency requires a significant body of knowledge which will be assessed through questioning and the use of 'what if' scenarios both on the plant (during demonstration of normal operations and walk-throughs of abnormal operations) and off the plant.

Critical aspects
It is essential that the system be understood and that the importance of inventory management in relation to effective production planning is known. Competence must be demonstrated in the ability to recognise and analyse potential situations requiring action and then in implementing appropriate corrective action.

Consistent performance should be demonstrated. In particular look to see that:

stock levels are accurate, discrepancies are acted upon and stock levels are maintained
variations to quality and quantity of delivered goods are rectified
alternative suppliers can be sourced on request
stock is on hand to ensure efficient production.
These aspects may be best assessed using a range of scenarios/case studies/what ifs as the stimulus with a walk-through forming part of the response. These assessment activities should include responding to a range of problems.

Resource implications
Assessment will require access to an operating plant over an extended period of time, or a suitable method of gathering evidence of operating ability over a range of situations. A bank of scenarios/case studies/what ifs will be required as will a bank of questions which will be used to probe the reasoning behind the observable actions.

Other assessment advice
In all plants it may be appropriate to assess this unit concurrently with relevant teamwork and communication units.
Individual enterprises may choose to add prerequisites and corequisites relevant to their processes.

Essential knowledge
Knowledge and understanding of the process and production requirements sufficient to ensure stock availability for meeting production needs.
Knowledge of the enterprise's standard procedures and work instructions and relevant regulatory requirements along with the ability to implement them within an appropriate timeframe and in a manner relevant to a smooth work flow and production requirements.

Competence includes the ability to apply and explain:

production requirements and stock availability
effective inventory management techniques
accuracy of inventory
supplier contractual requirements
stock optimum levels and relationship with cost
as is relevant to ensuring effective inventory management.

Communicating ideas and information
(1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
(2)

Planning and organising activities
(1)

Working with others and in teams
(2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
(1)

Solving problems
(2)

Using technology
(2)