Strategic Inventory Positioning in Complex Supply Chains - A Quantitative Study on IRSAP

In a global context marked by volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity, supply chains have become increasingly vulnerable to disruptions such as pandemics, geopolitical tensions and market fluctuations. For a long time companies focused mainly on cost reduction through delocalization, but recent crises have shown the importance of resilience alongside efficiency. In this framework, inventory management plays a strategic role: buffers are a tool to stabilize flows, absorb variability and guarantee service levels. This thesis analyses strategic inventory positioning through three perspectives. First, it reviews the main theories and approaches, from traditional methods like Kanban and MRP to more adaptive solutions such as Demand-Driven MRP. Second, it develops and tests a mathematical optimization model applied to the case of IRSAP, showing how buffer positioning changes under different scenarios, from demand surges to supply disruptions to the introduction of a new technology. The simulations highlight the trade-off between cost efficiency and flow stability, with upstream buffers offering greater resilience but at higher costs. Finally, the thesis examines the role of digital technologies, specifically digital Kanban and vertical warehouses, implemented by IRSAP, which improve visibility, reduce costs and support a more robust supply chain. The results confirm that inventory is not only an operational variable but a strategic resource to balance efficiency and resilience in today’s supply chains.