What is a Supply Chain

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Supply Chain Roles

Supply Chain Roles identify the functions and responsibilities of various entities within the supply chain.

Definitions:

3rd Party Logistics Provider: Supply chain role that offers logistics services to other companies, including transportation, courier, warehousing, and distribution.

Armored Carrier Company: Supply chain role that provides secure transportation of valuables, including cash and precious metals.

Cash Processing Facility: Supply chain role that provides secure transportation of valuables, including cash and precious metals.

Distributor: Supply chain role that buys products from manufacturers and sells them to retailers or other businesses.

Exporter: Supply chain role that sells goods and services to foreign countries.

Farm/Harvester: Supply chain role involved in the cultivation and collection of crops or other agricultural and aquacultural products, or seafood.

Field/Container: Supply chain role referring to a field or growing area from which food was harvested as well as a container that aquacultured food was harvested from.

Federal Reserve Bank: Supply chain role that serves as the central bank of the United States, managing the nation's monetary policy and financial system.

Financial Institution: Supply chain role that provides financial services, including banking, investment, and insurance.

Hospital Provider: Supply chain role that offers medical services and care to patients such as clinics, doctors offices, ambulatory surgery centers, or urgent care.

Intermediary: Supply chain role that acts as a middleman between two parties, facilitating transactions and communication.

Manufacturer: Supply chain role that produces goods from raw materials, contracts manufacturing, or co-packs/re-packs through various processes.

Operator: Supply chain role that manages and oversees the day-to-day operations of a business or facility.

Packer: Supply chain role that focuses specifically on preparing food and drink for shipment, sale, and delivery.

Provider/Dispenser: Supply chain role describing a pharmacy within a hospital or retail store.

Repackager: Supply chain role that repackages goods into different containers or formats for distribution.

Seller: Supply chain role for the last known party by whom the goods are sold or agreed to be sold.

Shipper: Supply chain role for the party that enters into a contract for carriage with, and arranges for delivery of the goods to, a carrier or transport intermediary.

Solution Provider: Supply chain role that offers specialized services or products to solve specific business problems.

Source: Supply chain role that provides raw materials or components for manufacturing.

Supplier: Supply chain role that provides goods or services to other businesses.

Undefined: Supply chain role that has not been specifically defined or categorized.

Warehouse Operator: Supply chain role that manages the storage and handling of goods in a warehouse.

Wholesaler/Distributor: Supply chain role that buys products in bulk from manufacturers and sells them to retailers or other businesses.