A metaheuristic approach to solve supplier selection and order allocation problem

In this paper, a fuzzy multi-objective model is presented to select and allocate the order to supplier in uncertainty conditions and in a multi-period, multi-source, and multi-product cases at two levels of supply chain with pricing considerations. Objective functions considered in this study as the measures to evaluate the suppliers are the purchase, transportation, and ordering costs, timely delivering or deference shipment quality or wastages which are amongst major quality aspects, partial and general coverage of suppliers in respect of distance and finally suppliers weights making the products orders amount more realistic. Deference, wastes, and coverage parameters in the model are considered as uncertain and random triangular fuzzy number. Since the proposed mathematical model is NP-hard, we applied non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA-II). Taguchi technique is executed to tune the parameters of algorithm. The results are analyzed by quantitative criteria and parametric, and non-parametric statistical analysis.