The movement of freight between suppliers and retailers in the supply chain has traditionally been characterised by distinct responsibilities being understood by each party with regard to points of control within the chain and the safe movement of freight.

In the past, suppliers retained control of the delivery task using their own fleets or outsourced carriers to deliver the product to the retailers' stores. Within this simple model, the carriers had responsibility for transporting the freight under conditions of safety and relevant regulations and standards were directed at them, while suppliers and retailers were relieved of formal responsibility for these aspects of their business (unless, of course, they used their own fleets).

The last decade saw major transformations to these comparatively straightforward and discrete relationships between the players in the chain. Major Australian retail chains have followed the path of their counterparts in many comparable countries and have begun to assume the leading management role within their supply chains. Atlas Consultants search best of the lot candidate