Kroger Company Operations ManagementOperations management is essential to the survival and success of any organization. According to Heizer & Render (2011), operations management (OM) is the set of activities that create value in the form of goods and services by transforming inputs into outputs. Today's operations managers face competition, globalization, inflation, consumer demand and ever-changing technology. Managers should focus on the efficiency and effectiveness of processes such as cost, reliability, distribution, flexibility and speed. The objective of this article is to discuss the processes and operations management of the Kroger company. History and Background Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Kroger is one of the largest retail supermarkets in the United States. Founded in 1883, Barney Kroger invested its savings of $372 to open its first grocery store at 66 Pearl Street in downtown Cincinnati. (Kroger, 2011). Barney was pretty proud. He was the first grocer to have a bakery, selling meats and other groceries in one store. From the beginning, Barney ran his business with a simple motto: "Be particular." Never sell something you wouldn't want yourself. (Kroger, 2011). Today, one hundred and twenty-eight years later, Kroger still follows Barney's motto. With constant growth to accommodate more variety, more merchandise, and the convenience of a one-stop shop, Mr. Kroger may not recognize the Kroger Company today. . Under two dozen brands such as City Market, Dillon's, King Soopers, Kroger, Fry's and Ralphs, the Kroger Company operates 2,439 supermarkets in 31 states, 788 convenience stores under six brands in 18 states, one... . middle of paper. .....n Education, Inc. Gale, S. (2006). Common ground. PM Network, 20(7), 46-52. Heizer, J. & Render, B. (2011). Operations Management (10th ed.) Prentice HallThe Kroger Co. (2010). The Kroger Co. Fact Book. 2010. Retrieved from http://www.thekrogerco.com/finance/documents/2010_KrogerFactBook.pdfThe Kroger Co. (2011). The Kroger Co. Company News and Information: History. Retrieved from http://www/thekrogerco.com/corpnews/corpnewsinfo_history.htmThe Kroger Co. (2011). Kroger Co. Operations. Retrieved from http://www.thekrogerco.com/operations/operations.htm.Pearson, M. (2010). The three mantras of supply chain planning masters. Logistics Management, 49 (1), 20-21. Retrieved August 13, 2011 from EBSCOhost. Simchi-Levi, D. and Simchi-Levi, E. (2003) Finding the right balance. Logistics Today, 4-7 p.m., 3 p.m. Retrieved August 13, 2011 from EBSCOhost.