Hierarchical Operations and Supply Chain Planning

Hierarchical and Supply Chain Planning describes the application of hierarchical planning techniques to all major functional areas of supply chain planning, including production, distribution, warehousing, transportation, inventory management, forecasting and performance management. In particular, the book provides a comprehensive review and understanding of how hierarchical planning techniques and principles can contribute to the effective and efficient management and planning of supply chain activities.

The book begins with a review of some well-known, original hierarchical production planning techniques and implementations dating back several decades. Building on this historical base, it then reviews numerous more current hierarchical planning methods and applications covering a wide array of supply chain activities. Additionally the book offers a number of new and original hierarchical planning techniques and algorithms covering different components of supply chain planning. These algorithms range from simple algebraic calculations to mathematical optimization models. The book also offers an original approach for integrating supply chain measurements into measurement systems such as the balanced scorecard which evaluate total firm performance.

The book is written to cover the interests of a wide variety of audiences ranging from private industry practitioners, to academic researchers, to students of operations, logistics and supply chain management and planning. It features numerous graphical illustrations highlighting both methods and requirements for integrated hierarchical supply chain planning.

Tan Miller joined Pfizer in 1995 and he currently is responsible for the operations of the US Consumer Healthcare Logistics Centers. Previously at Pfizer, he has held positions as Director of Integrated Demand Management, Director of Logistics Planning and Director of Transportation. He has also held logistics and production positions with Mercer Management Consulting, Unisys, and American Olean Tile Company.

Doctor Miller has a B.A. in economics, and he received an M.A, M.B.A. and PhD from the University of Pennsylvania. Doctor Miller’s hobbies include doing occasional research and writing on distribution and supply chain operations and planning. He has published three books and over forty articles on these topics. Doctor Miller has also previously taught part-time in the MBA program of Villanova University and at other universities, and he is currently on the editorial board of Material Handling Management magazine. He and his wife live in Morris Plains with their two sons.