Estandarización del proceso de recepción, almacenamiento y entrega de cacao a la planta de producción en la Compañía Nacional de Chocolates, Fábrica Bogotá

Abstract

This project focused on the standardization of cocoa receiving, storage, and supply processes at the Bogotá plant of Compañía Nacional de Chocolates. The study addressed operational variability, information flow deficiencies, and the absence of standardized procedures, which negatively affected process efficiency, traceability, and knowledge transfer among personnel. An applied research methodology with a mixed approach was implemented, based on the PDCA (Plan–Do–Check–Act) continuous improvement cycle. The initial diagnosis included direct observation, semi-structured interviews, process timing measurements, and document analysis to identify bottlenecks and operational weaknesses. Based on the findings, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) were designed for cocoa reception, storage, and production supply, incorporating quality controls, traceability requirements, and inventory management criteria. A pilot implementation was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed protocols. The results demonstrated a 33.07% reduction in average unloading time per bag, decreasing from 1.27 minutes to 0.85 minutes. Additionally, the implementation of digital inventory control tools reduced lot search times by approximately 50%, improved product traceability, and established systematic monitoring of moisture-related losses. The project concluded that process standardization significantly enhances operational efficiency, inventory control, and organizational knowledge management while providing a cost-effective solution that strengthens supply chain performance and supports continuous improvement within the organization.