FOREWORD The global supply chain was severally hit by the Covid-19 in 2020. As a result, Institutions and organisations had to develop innovate in ways to be able to stay in business. This is where I believe knowledge meets opportunity in the mist of crisis. Dr. Joseph L. A. Mensah has made good use of his vast knowledge and understanding of supply chain management and operations by providing a framework for the study of materials planning methods in supply chains. This new book takes a comprehensive look at materials planning strategies and warehousing. In organisations, materials planning and warehousing form an important part of the supply chain. The book offers several theories, ideas, and concepts that are key to understanding supply chain within an organization. The book teaches about the roles and responsibilities within the supply chain and the rationale behind them along with the various planning strategies and tools available to ensure successful flow of inventory from the supplier to the end-user. This edition of the book deepens the reader's understanding of materials planning strategies and warehousing. This edition of the book is exceptional mainly for the new features that have been added by the author. These features I believe will help address the key global issues about supply chain management in organisations. Examples of the features are the total quality management within the supply chain (Chapter 7), forecasting in supply chain management (Chapter 9), e-supply chain (Chapter 12) and warehousing and safety (Chapter 14). The inclusion of these topics to this edition provides additional knowledge on the flow of information and materials throughout an organization how its external customers are affected. The author brilliantly interconnects these topics in a way that contributes effectively to the supply chain. The book is lengthier in this edition, and most of the content is totally new or rewritten with comprehensive examples and computer-based methods. Another useful feature is the 'questions and case studies". In this new feature, the book provides questions and realistic case studies at the end of each chapter as a way to strengthen the reader's understanding of the various major topics. The book is a useful tool for teaching and learning tool. It gives readers a complete grasp of inventory management and while assisting students and industry players to understand the techniques for ensuring good inventory maintenance. The content of this book can serve as a dependable approach for attaining successful stock management since all inventory techniques and warehouse setups that offer a suitable environment for inventory management are covered in this book. Everyone in supply chain management and operations needs a copy of this book as it offers quick responses and a workable approach to specific problem areas and provides sets of ideas from which a better understanding of the relevance and importance of these problem areas and decision-making techniques can be built. Apostle Professor Kwabena Agyapong-Koduah