Full definition
A calendar-based plan defining the dates, quantities, and delivery locations for product shipments over a specified period (typically monthly over a 6-12 month contract term), used to manage the logistics of supply contract fulfillment. The delivery schedule translates an annual volume commitment into specific, actionable shipment releases that both buyer and seller can plan around. Key elements: delivery date (specific date or week), quantity per delivery (in the agreed unit — meters, pieces, kg), delivery location (address, receiving dock, contact person), and order reference (PO or contract number). Delivery schedules enable: (1) Buyer production planning — materials arrive just-in-time for production needs, reducing inventory carrying costs. (2) Seller production/inventory planning — predictable demand allows efficient manufacturing scheduling and raw material procurement. (3) Logistics optimization — consolidation of multiple line items into planned shipments reduces freight costs. In Mexico and LATAM B2B practice: delivery schedules are typically issued as blanket PO releases (liberaciones) against an annual framework contract. The schedule may be adjusted monthly based on actual production requirements, subject to minimum notice periods (typically 2-4 weeks). For just-in-time manufacturing (automotive maquiladoras): delivery schedules may require daily or even twice-daily deliveries with very tight time windows.