Overview
A leading FMCG importer and distributor in Sierra Leone, with operations extending to Liberia and Guinea, has over 50 years of experience representing globally renowned brands in frozen, chilled, dry food, and non-food categories. Serving wholesale, food service, and retail sectors, the company manages a fully integrated supply chain—from procurement and import logistics to warehousing, distribution, and final sales.
Background
As consumer expectations grow and markets expand, the distributor faced increasing operational complexity. Legacy manual processes, fragmented software tools, and limited data visibility were no longer adequate. The management sought a comprehensive solution to streamline operations, improve agility, and sharpen customer focus.
Challenges
- Order Processing & Sales: Reliance on messaging apps and hand-billing resulted in inefficiencies and data discrepancies.
- Inventory Management: Manual systems made it difficult to maintain optimal stock levels or prevent stockouts and overstocking.
- Pricing & Promotions: Lack of centralized price control led to inconsistencies across stores, particularly for perishable items.
- Procurement Planning: Absence of SKU-wise, store-wise sales and inventory data limited procurement accuracy.
- Warehouse Utilization: Storage decisions lacked data support, resulting in inefficiencies and suboptimal space usage.
- Receivables & Credit Control: Manual processes created challenges in managing credit limits and tracking collections.
- Data Silos: Multiple disconnected applications led to poor information flow and decision-making delays.
- Scalability: Expansion plans were hampered by the lack of standardized and automated workflows.
Solution Implemented & Benefits
Inventory Management
Inventory planning was optimized using stock levels, reorder points, lead times, and warehouse space availability. A mobile app enhanced warehouse automation.
Result:
- Real-time visibility of stock and in-transit items
- Reduced losses from overstocking and missed sales due to stockouts
Sales Operations
Implemented a web/mobile POS system integrated with automated inventory and accounting. Centralized price management and credit control mechanisms were introduced.
Result:
- Elimination of pricing inconsistencies
- Accurate and real-time sales data
- Faster collections and reduced defaults through automated credit control
Procurement Operations
Automated procurement workflows, including container-level costing and shortage-based planning. Integrated shipment tracking and automated put-away processes optimized logistics and warehouse operations.
Result:
- Streamlined procurement planning
- Improved import efficiency
- Better warehouse utilization
Management Information System (MIS)
A digital dashboard with real-time KPIs empowered decision-makers. Workflow automation ensured transparency and control in processes like procurement and payments.
Result:
- Faster strategic decisions with real-time data
- Standardized operations supporting flexi-staff and remote teams
- Enhanced governance and operational agility
Outcomes
- Process Standardization: Uniform procedures across headquarters, warehouses, and retail outlets
- Automation: Significant reduction in manual tasks and errors
- Operational Flexibility: Improved responsiveness to market dynamics
- Informed Decision-Making: Access to live business data, enabling agile responses
- Scalability: A solid foundation for geographic expansion across Africa
Conclusion
The ERP implementation empowered this FMCG distributor to overcome critical process limitations, enhance customer satisfaction, and achieve operational excellence. With integrated, cloud-hosted systems in place, the company is now better positioned to seize market opportunities, expand across borders, and remain competitive in the fast-paced consumer goods landscape