Which of the following is a function describing the role of Supply Management?

• A. Forecasting demand
• B. Purchasing Management
• C. Managing all of the supplies and suppliers that are needed to run the business
• D. Logistics Management

Answer: (C)

Supply management is about coordinating all inputs from external sources that the organization needs to operate. It encompasses not just buying, but the broader task of securing and managing the goods, services, and supplier relationships that keep the business running—from sourcing and contracts to supplier development, risk management, and ensuring a reliable supply at the right cost.

That broader description best captures the role because it includes both the supplies and the suppliers themselves, rather than focusing on a narrower activity. Forecasting demand is important for planning, but it’s a planning activity rather than the full scope of supply management. Purchasing management is a component—focused on obtaining goods and services—within the larger function. Logistics management deals with the movement and storage of goods, which is related but narrower than the overall responsibility of managing all supplies and suppliers.