5-4.7 Stockroom Management

Postal Service storage and stockroom space management is a complicated undertaking, involving a variety of skills and disciplines, because each storage operation must be carefully planned and designed. Stockrooms must provide services and controls that are most effective and efficient for the task at hand and for the Postal Service as a whole. Sophisticated techniques are used to design and organize storage areas, and equally sophisticated locator systems are used to permit quick and accurate identification of material whereabouts. Storage space management serves the purpose of constantly monitoring, reporting, and controlling storage space that represents a significant Postal Service investment.

Definitions:

• Stockroom — any formal location where the Postal Service stores and issues materials.
• Storage Space — the physical area where supplies, equipment, products, and parts are placed prior to issuance to the user. This space includes areas for administrative support of receipt, storage, and issuing functions or can be located in another space, room, or even facility.
• Management — the supervision and maintenance of stockroom and storage space areas.

A variety of tools and processes are used within the Postal Service for the organization and management of stockrooms and storage space — for example, MDIMS, eMARS, Vendor-Managed Inventory (VMI), and vendor consignment inventories (VCI). The item manager should be consulted for guidance and assistance in setting up these facilities. The item manager and the purchase⁄SCM team should refer to the following handbooks:

• Handbook AS-701, Material Management.
• Handbook F-1, Post Office Accounting Procedures.
• Handbook MS-63, Maintenance Operations Support.
• Handbook PO-701, Fleet Management.