Ann Arbor, Mich. -- The Tauber Institute for Global Operations at the University of Michigan is dedicated to providing its students and industry partners with transformative opportunities and impactful results. A compelling example of this is displayed in a case from the summer of 2024, where a Tauber student team comprising Alexandra Maxwell (MBA) and Tori Caracciolo (EGL) executed an exemplary project for Nestlé Purina Petcare Company.

Addressing Transparency in Inventory Management at Nestlé Purina

Prior to the summer, Purina Petcare's dry food manufacturing facilities saw an opportunity to use digital transformation to optimize real-time data for their dry material bins to avoid operational inefficiencies, including material shortages and extended delivery times. Maxwell and Caracciolo worked together to develop a user-friendly digital solution that would seamlessly integrate into Purina’s existing inventory management systems. Their objective was to enhance visibility and enable advanced trend analysis capabilities for managing raw material inventories.

"The process was previously done on paper," said Caracciolo. "Our goal was to digitize that into an application."

"We wanted to understand what operators have to do to take measurements of the bins,” said Maxwell. “We walked 18 flights of stairs when we were on-site. It was really important to us because we were able to understand what it was that the end users had to do, who we were trying to serve."

Collaborative Synergy and Learning

The collaboration between Maxwell and Caracciolo epitomized the blending of diverse expertise and perspectives. This partnership not only delivered a successful project but also fostered profound reciprocal learning.

"It was incredible working with Alex this summer," noted Caracciolo. "I learned so much from her. With her being an MBA and having substantial experience before this project, it was a great working relationship and learning experience."

Maxwell shared similar sentiments: "I also had an incredible summer with Tori. I knew I wanted to join Tauber to have that experience of working with someone from a different background and perspective than me. I found time and time again that Tori challenged my way of approaching a problem. It led to great discussions and helped us collaborate across different functions."

The support from Nestlé Purina was instrumental in the project's success. "Nestlé Purina was very welcoming to us," Maxwell stated. "They provided all the tools we needed to be successful. It was a significant learning experience working for such a large organization and figuring out how to gain traction for the project."

Recognition and Broader Impact

The project’s notable success was recognized with a second-place award at the 2024 Spotlight! Showcase and Scholarship Competition. The accomplishments of the Tauber Nestlé Purina team underscore the valuable insights and skills gained through such industry-university collaborations.

"If I could go back to before the project started, I would tell myself to be resilient, navigate the complexity and challenge, and appreciate it because it’s a part of the larger journey you are on," Maxwell reflected.

The transformative experience of the Tauber-Nestlé Purina project illustrates the unique value of the Tauber Institute for Global Operations. By fostering collaborations that bridge academic knowledge and industry practice, the institute positions its students and partners for success. The Tauber Institute is committed to advancing operational excellence through innovative, sustainable solutions.

There’s nowhere else quite like Tauber. Are you ready to enhance your company’s operational processes and drive significant growth and efficiency? The Tauber Institute for Global Operations offers access to a uniquely talented pool of students and faculty specializing in operations management, engineering, and business. With customized solutions for unique challenges and a proven track record of success, the institute is your premier partner for achieving operational excellence. Learn more.