Aplicação do ciclo PDCA e ferramentas da qualidade no setor de supply operations de uma empresa do setor agrícola

Abstract

Product shelf-life control is a significant challenge in the agricultural sector, especially due to perishability and seasonality, which leads to resource waste and internal management failures. This study addresses the lack of efficient control over product expiration during billing processes, a problem that is aggravated by customers’ minimum shelf-life requirements, resulting in financial losses and customer dissatisfaction. Quality Management is essential to ensure that products and services meet established standards, aiming for continuous improvement and operational efficiency. The PDCA Cycle (Plan, Do, Check, Act) is a key tool in this context, guiding organizations in problem-solving and systematic implementation of changes. The continuous use of the PDCA Cycle enables process control and failure reduction. This study aims to apply the PDCA Cycle and quality tools in the Supply Operations sector of an agricultural company, seeking to reduce product refusals due to expiration issues. The methodology was both quantitative and qualitative, structured in four stages: mapping the current process, critical data analysis, proposing improvements, and evaluating the effectiveness of the actions implemented. The tools used included Check Sheets, Ishikawa Diagram, Pareto Chart, and Brainstorming. The results indicated a reduction of approximately 77% in losses due to expiration, as well as improved billing efficiency and increased customer satisfaction. The application of the PDCA Cycle, together with quality tools, proved effective in optimizing logistics and billing processes, improving shelf-life control, and generating positive outcomes both internally and for customers.