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Reducing Distribution Center Cycle Time in Freight Processing

Target has 25 Regional Distribution Centers (RDCs) that support 1,800+ retail stores in the United States. It is pursuing strategic initiatives to improve the guest experience, which includes increasing the number of fulfillment options by leveraging its vast store network and opening small-format stores in urban markets with localized products. As in-store fulfillment options and product offerings increase and space for inventory decreases, Target needs a fast and flexible supply chain to replenish stores from its RDC network. Receive-to-Put is an Inbound RDC process that spans from carton receipt on the inbound docks to putaway in reserve storage locations. The Tauber team was tasked with reducing the Receive-to-Put carton cycle time because it is too long and variable to support Target’s strategic initiatives.

View team project summary

Student Team:

Reed Hostrander — EGL (BSE Chemical Engineering/MSE Industrial and Operations Engineering)

Erica Kirshensteyn — Master of Business Administration

Sabrina Lin — EGL (BSE/MSE Industrial and Operations Engineering)



 

Project Sponsors:

Preston Mosier — Senior Vice President Global Supply Chain and Logistics

Stephanie Brown Washington — Director Inventory Control & QA



 

Faculty Advisors:

Mark Daskin — College of Engineering

Joline Uichanco — Ross School of Business

Project Photos