Which term refers to the process of planning and coordinating the movement of goods to ensure timely delivery to customers?

• A. Procurement
• B. Logistics
• C. Sourcing
• D. Manufacturing

Answer: (B)

Planning and coordinating the movement of goods to ensure timely delivery is logistics. This function manages transportation, warehousing, inventory levels, order processing, and distribution so products reach customers when they’re needed. It also handles routing, scheduling, packaging, and even reverse logistics for returns, all aimed at moving items efficiently from origin to consumption while balancing speed, cost, and service levels. Procurement, by contrast, focuses on obtaining goods from suppliers—finding, negotiating, and purchasing—while sourcing is about identifying and evaluating those suppliers. Manufacturing is the process of turning inputs into finished products.