My Internship Journey: Reflections and Insights

Introduction

Supply chains are the backbone of our world. They keep everything moving, and without them, daily operations across millions of industries would come to a halt. This summer, I began working as an inventory analyst intern at InComm Payments, where I track and manage the distribution of a variety of prepaid gift cards. My internship has been an eye-opening experience. Questions I had not thought to ask before, like how businesses forecast demand, manage inventory, and handle disruptions, became a central part of my daily learning. While I still have a long way to go in my journey, my time at InComm has ignited a passion within me to learn more about the supply chain industry and its respective challenges.

Background and Company Overview

Founded in 1992, InComm Payments has grown from a small startup in Georgia to a renowned global leader in payments technology. As a major fintech company, it offers innovative prepaid gift cards, payment processing, and transaction services. InComm also supports businesses across various industries – including retail, healthcare, transit, and digital currencies – by delivering advanced end-to-end payment platforms (InComm Payments, 2024).

For over three decades, InComm’s mission has been to enhance the global commerce experience through cutting-edge technology. They continuously meet the evolving needs of the market by expanding their digital network and enabling omnichannel connections. With a presence in over 40 countries and more than 525,000 points of retail and online distribution, InComm has earned 412 global patents and numerous awards for industry excellence (InComm Payments, 2024). The company continues to partner with major retailers like Apple, Walmart, and Sam’s Club, solidifying its position as a leader in the payments industry.

Company Culture

InComm prides itself on fostering a company culture that creates a supportive and dynamic work environment. Through organizations like Women in InComm Payments (WIP) and LiveWell, InComm’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, and employee well-being is evident. As a member of WIP, I was given the opportunity to participate in numerous wellness meetings and community events that promote these values. The upcoming LiveWell 5K Challenge is an excellent example, bringing team members from across the globe to participate in a marathon, raise funds, and support their charity of choice. Overall, these organizations encourage a sense of community and mutual support by connecting colleagues through health and wellness activities, which are especially important for fostering in-person connections in a predominately remote work environment.

Through the past 30 years, InComm has remained dedicated to employee innovation and entrepreneurship. Initiatives like the Go Studio at their headquarters in Atlanta, GA showcase this commitment (See Figure 1). InComm’s Go Studio works with colleges and universities around the world to provide students with the opportunity to collaborate and research new technology solutions. The program also hosts numerous workshops and other community events to encourage creativity and industry discussion (PR Newswire, 2020).

Personal Learning Objectives

Throughout my internship, I aimed to accomplish these personal learning objectives:

• Build long-lasting relationships and connections
• Develop my skills in communication, problem-solving, and data analysis
• Understand the end-to-end supply chain process

Build long-lasting relationships and connections

While at InComm, I wanted to build long-lasting connections in hopes of expanding my network and learning from experienced colleagues. I talked and connected with other interns through biweekly internship meetings where we shared project updates and our opinions on professional development topics. I actively asked questions, engaged with coworkers during team meetings, and joined a couple of organizations within the company (i.e., WIP) to foster a sense of belonging. Through these interactions, I also learned the value of developing my personal and professional brand. To me, this means crafting a unique and authentic image that reflects my skills, experiences, and values. It involves not only how I present myself in the workplace but also how I strive for growth, such as by earning certifications, pursuing a higher degree of education, and utilizing professional social media platforms like LinkedIn.

Develop my skills

In the supply chain industry, having the ability to communicate and problem-solve effectively is what makes the difference between a supply chain leader and a follower. During my internship, I developed these skills by consistently interacting with various departments and account managers, learning company jargon, and keeping my messages concise. I also made sure to promptly respond to any questions or concerns to maintain the continuous flow of operations. For instance, when a club had discarded all of its inventory and required an emergency replenishment order, my team and I immediately shifted our priorities and completed this task to ensure the store received its inventory without further disruption. This experience highlighted the importance of teamwork and effective problem-solving. While my daily responsibilities stay relatively consistent, quick decision-making and adaptability remain crucial in this fast-paced and dynamic industry. Alongside these soft skills, I aimed to develop some of my technical attributes. As an inventory analyst intern, I use Excel and other analytical tools on a daily basis. As a result, I have become proficient in using advanced Excel functions, such as pivot tables and VLOOKUP, to analyze and interpret data efficiently. To further enhance my technical skills, I plan to pursue certifications in data analysis and explore additional software tools (e.g., SQL, PowerBI, etc.).

Understand the end-to-end supply chain process

When working in the supply chain industry, it is important to recall the basics and remember how each section connects to form a continuous loop. One such concept is the end-to-end supply chain process, which encompasses the entire journey of a product, from the acquisition of raw materials through production to the distribution of the final product. My classroom knowledge provided a strong foundation, but my internship brought this theory to life. I saw how each segment – inventory management, order fulfillment, and logistics – interconnects and impacts the overall efficiency of the supply chain. This firsthand experience, combined with my prior knowledge, has deepened my understanding of this complex process and enabled me to apply these concepts in a real-world setting, which has helped me immensely throughout my internship.

Project and Responsibility Details

Given the year-round nature of my internship, I have the opportunity to learn the ins and outs of InComm’s operations. Subsequently, I manage various daily assignments, projects, and responsibilities. As an inventory analyst intern for InComm, these tasks include tracking and managing the distribution of over 30 million gift cards, overseeing inventory allocations, and communicating with other teams to ensure accurate data and timely deliveries. I specifically work with the Sam’s Club account, meaning I manage the inventory belonging to Sam’s Club and their respective distribution centers. Here is an overview of my responsibilities within my role:

Daily Assignments

Every day, I pull reports filled with raw data and utilize them to update weekly tracking files. This information helps me ensure that orders have been processed, shipped, and delivered within a set timeframe. Additionally, I monitor in-club and online sales and inventory through their respective reports, which are also updated weekly. These reports contain information about inventory levels in each distribution center, provide FedEx or UPS tracking numbers for easy tracking and arrival times, as well as last week's sales. By analyzing this data, I can follow sales trends and changes in inventory levels, which helps me effectively manage one of my other key responsibilities: order creation.

Order Creation and Processing

Every two weeks, I oversee the creation and writing of online (Sams.com) orders. This task requires me to pay close attention to detail and use data accurately and efficiently to prevent stockouts or excess inventory. I examine several key factors on the online sales and inventory tracking file, including Weeks of Supply (WOS). If the WOS is less than 20 (weeks), then these items must be prioritized and filtered. From there, I must determine the Sam’s Club case size, which refers to the number of units contained in one case, to calculate the number of cases to order, so the WOS exceeds 20. This formula takes into account the pipeline quantities and the last 13- and 4-week sale averages to calculate and determine the precise amount of inventory needed to meet demand without overstocking. Additionally, I use the file to check which distribution center has adequate inventory for fulfillment based on my weekly updates. Once these factors are considered, I use NOVA, InComm’s database for order maintenance and creation for Sam’s Club, to generate the order form. After submitting the order, I communicate with the logistics team to ensure it has been processed and confirm the expected shipping date.

Production Tracking Project

One of my highest priorities is an ongoing project where I work on InComm’s production tracking file for Sam’s Club. The production tracking file requires extensive communication with various account managers overseeing different brands and types of gift cards (e.g., Point of Sale Activation (POSA) or New Generation (NG) cards). To explain the project efficiently, I must first outline the process, which begins with utilizing previously forecasted data to determine the amounts of production that should be requested. Account managers have access to the shared file so that they can add in their approved quantities. If the quantity approved is less than what was requested, they add notes explaining these discrepancies, such as adequate existing on-hand inventory, items not expected to launch this quarter, or ongoing discussions with partners about production amounts. I check all these items to ensure we have sufficient inventory and that it is allocated correctly to Sam’s Club. Account managers also provide job numbers for these production requests, which allow me to track the progress of the printing jobs. This responsibility involves continuous report updates and print status monitoring, but it also provides an excellent learning opportunity to collaborate with multiple divisions and be a part of the complexities of production operations.

My daily assignments and major responsibilities have been fundamental to my learning and understanding of the supply chain industry this summer. As I continue my internship, I will be taking on additional responsibilities, including quarterly forecasting, holiday plans, and other essential tasks that help the company operate efficiently. An example of these efforts is the finished product design for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and graduation, featuring gift cards displayed on a pallet at Sam’s Club (See Figure 2). This spring, I had the opportunity to contribute to this impressive display, which was completed in collaboration with Kendal King. I look forward to participating in more holiday planning initiatives in the future.

Analysis and Implications for the Company

Business Problem

As an inventory analyst intern working in a predominately remote work environment, one challenge I have noticed is the increased risk of miscommunication in managing supply chain operations. While I have been impressed by InComm’s communication efforts given its global workforce, occasional miscommunications do still occur. In a remote environment, delays in communication can lead to further significant implications like inventory mismanagement, setbacks in order processing, and potential stock discrepancies. Such disruptions can ultimately lead to reduced operational efficiency, increased costs, and impact partner or customer satisfaction, as timely order fulfillment is crucial in maintaining trust.

To provide an example, I recall one situation where a partner had misused its inventory due to a mix-up with the wrong pack UPC (a unique code used to identify packaging). This happened when a key individual, who usually coordinates communication with this partner, was out on leave. Although such instances are rare, they highlight the importance of having contingency plans in place to maintain smooth communication and operations.

To resolve this specific issue, my team collaborated and brainstormed ideas to find effective solutions and prevent future occurrences. I actively participated in these discussions by remaining receptive to the advice shared and viewing the situation as a valuable learning opportunity. Ultimately, we addressed the issue by implementing additional steps in the process for managing orders and allocating inventory to ensure better coordination and accuracy.

Through this experience, I have learned the importance of proactive problem-solving, preparedness, and collaboration in effectively preventing and managing disruptions within the supply chain industry. I plan on taking these lessons to heart and applying them to my future career by advocating for clear communication strategies and contingency plans, especially if I am working in a remote setting. After all, communication is the glue that holds the supply chain together.

Conclusion and Personal Evaluation

My internship at InComm has been a truly enriching and valuable experience that has shown me how interconnected all the supply chain processes are and how they come together to form one cohesive system. The concepts I learned in my classes at the University of Arkansas, including data analytics and the end-to-end supply chain process, prepared me with the knowledge needed to succeed and excel in this internship. This background has allowed me to navigate my role more effectively by applying it to a real-world setting.

I have observed substantial personal growth, especially in my ability to communicate, collaborate, and problem-solve in a team environment. My mentors at InComm have been especially helpful in this regard, as they always provide positive and constructive feedback on what I am doing well and what I can improve upon. With this feedback, coupled with my self-reflection, I have been able to identify my strengths and weaknesses, which has been a vital part of my journey.

As I continue this role, I will take a proactive approach by consistently pushing myself to learn and develop my professional skills. This internship has not only provided me with practical experience but also ignited my passion for a career in supply chain management. I am immensely grateful to InComm for this opportunity and aim to repay their support by always putting my best foot forward as I continue working alongside them.

Key Takeaways

• Inventory Management is Crucial to Supply Chain Success: A supply chain is only as strong as its weakest link, and I now see how important it is to optimize and solve problems at every step to ensure smooth operations and prevent disruptions.
• Skills Development: I gained a comprehensive understanding of the skills needed to succeed in the supply chain field while also encountering challenges that helped develop my own (i.e., communication, problem-solving, data analysis, etc.).
• Continuing to Learn and Grow: As I continue my internship with InComm, I am excited to tackle any new challenges and opportunities, which will further my understanding of the complex supply chain industry.
• Career Outlook: This internship has been incredibly insightful and has allowed me to reflect on my future career path in supply chain management. I am excited to continue developing my skills while pursuing a career in this dynamic field.

References

InComm Payments. (2024, April 8). About Us - InComm Payments. https://www.incomm.com/about-us/

Kendal King [@kendal.king]. (2024, April 15). This spring display we designed for Sam’s Club [Image attached] [Post]. LinkedIn. https://www.dhirubhai.net/posts/kendal-king-group_this-spring-display-we-designed-for-sams-activity-7199496578842202114-se7w?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

PR Newswire. (2020, February 11). InComm Launches Go StudioTM, an Emerging Technologies Incubator. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/incomm-launches-go-studiotm-an-emerging-technologies-incubator-301002757.html

PR Newswire. (2020, February 11). InComm Launches Go StudioTM, an Emerging Technologies Incubator [Photograph]. https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1088580/InComm_Go_Studio_3D.jpg?w=350