Scaling Beyond Manual Processes
The growing complexity of the DashMart micro fulfillment network made it essential to improve operations. DashMart’s Supply Chain planning function relied on manual processes that made it difficult to scale.
DashMart’s legacy planning process was time consuming and made it difficult to maintain optimal inventory levels across its network of micro fulfillment centers. It was also difficult to respond quickly to changing demand patterns and seasonal variations, particularly challenging for a business model built on speed and reliability.
The team recognized that its existing planning processes would become an increasing bottleneck. The need for a scalable, automated solution became critical to maintaining service levels and operational efficiency.
Implementing Intelligent Automation
After initiating a vendor search process in April 2022, DoorDash selected RELEX in June for its comprehensive forecasting and replenishment capabilities. The project kicked off in July, with a pilot launched in March 2023 and full rollout completed by May.
DoorDash implemented the RELEX forecasting and replenishment capabilities, optimizing complex inventory decisions. The solution was designed to handle the unique challenges of micro fulfillment center operations, where inventory management requires precise coordination between demand forecasting and rapid fulfillment capabilities.
The implementation focused on automating the heavy lifting of forecasting and replenishment processes, enabling DashMart’s planning teams to shift their focus from manual data management to strategic business planning. The RELEX platform’s ability to handle fresh products was particularly crucial for DashMart’s assortment, which includes perishable items requiring careful inventory management to minimize spoilage.
Driving Operational Excellence During Rapid Growth
The implementation delivered significant improvements across key operational metrics. Post implementation, the team was able to achieve substantial efficiency gains while sales and assortment expanded. Availability improved by 1.8 percentage points, ensuring customers could find the products they needed when ordering through the DashMart platform. More remarkably, DashMart carried more efficient levels of inventory, demonstrating the power of intelligent forecasting in a high-growth environment.
The most significant achievement was a reduction in spoilage when accounting for sales growth. This improvement was particularly valuable given the fresh product assortment and the importance of minimizing waste for on-demand grocery operations.
The automated components of the RELEX solution enabled DashMart’s users to move more quickly and focus on business-driving initiatives rather than manual planning tasks. This shift proved crucial during a period of growth, allowing DashMart to scale operations efficiently while maintaining service levels.